In mid-May, Alex Bregman, third baseman for the Chicago Cubs, reached out to manager Craig Counsell during a period of struggle. Bregman had been hesitant to swing at certain pitches early in the season. He explained to Counsell his cautious approach, noting, “When I don’t feel good, I kind of swing less because I know it’s not right.” His focus was on getting his mechanics right. “Mechanically, it was really just disconnected,” Bregman stated, emphasizing his pursuit to identify the issue.
“It was very clear, and it was very laid out… this is how he’s going to get better and fix it,” Counsell commented, acknowledging Bregman’s clarity in his plan.
By July, Bregman’s adjustments began yielding results. He achieved a season-best .263 average and an .825 OPS that month. As of August, Bregman has excelled, tying for MLB leads in several categories. Since July 27, he boasts significant performance improvements, including a .664 slugging percentage.
Bregman, entering Tuesday, had a .296 batting average with a .370 on-base percentage. While he acknowledged a frustrating start to the year, he viewed this period as a chance to refine his swing for long-term success. Bregman noted, “I feel like this is who I am as a baseball player. It was frustrating, but … I’m going to figure out what’s going on.”
Bregman has always prioritized the mechanics of his swing. Instead of relying solely on observing the ball’s flight, he focuses on his internal signals. His approach stems from his early career in New Mexico, college days at LSU, and experience with the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox. Bregman is a “feel” player who assesses his body’s motion.
“I’ve always thought mechanics every single day in the box,” Bregman shared. While it’s a unique approach, he remains committed to his process, even during challenging months. Counsell attributes Bregman’s resilience to his consistent focus. Bregman openly communicated his mechanical challenges even when not entirely comfortable.
Credit goes to Bregman for relentless work and unwavering dedication. Counsell admired Bregman’s commitment to his process, stating, “It is an overwhelmingly time-consuming process…to fix that.” Despite difficulties, Bregman maintained his dedication and eventually rediscovered his form.
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