Baker tries to help Bregman play smarter, not harder
HOUSTON — Alex Bregman is a different breed of ballplayer.
His mother Jackie often shares the story of his first T-ball game, when Bregman turned an unassisted triple play as the other boys around him seemed disinterested. The endless energy accompanied Bregman throughout his rise from phenom to prospect to perennial MVP candidate.
Bregman’s hustle endears fans and affords inspiration to the game’s next generation. He brings the same demeanor each day. His pride comes in “posting,” the industry term for everyday availability. Bregman played at least 155 games in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
He led the Houston Astros in wins above replacement during 2018 and 2019.
When Bregman is at his peak, no Astros player may be more valuable. Keeping him there is a constant concern. Bregman’s return to the starting lineup on Wednesday against the Royals ended a 59-game absence due to a strained left quad. He played 42 of the 60 games in 2020 while combating a right hamstring injury. Bregman strained his left hamstring this winter while running wind sprints, causing a slower buildup in spring training.
“There’s only one way to go about it and that’s figure out what the problem is, address it and try to prevent it from happening again,” Bregman said.
The spate of soft-tissue injuries forced Bregman into a realization. He must play smarter. The team’s long-term standing is far more important than legging out an infield single in mid-june. Bregman tried that two months ago. It did not end well.
Bregman’s limitless energy and vigor create an awkward juxtaposition. Asking him to slow down is an almost impossible request. Bregman seems receptive. His presence to the club is immeasurable, but he adds no tangible value on the bench or a minor league
rehab assignment.
“(It’s about) not putting myself at higher risk to injure myself, but also playing hard, playing how I’ve always played,” Bregman said prior to Wednesday’s game.
“I need to make it to the batter’s box as many times as possible every year. I’m not a burner by any means, so if I’m out by two steps instead of four, I’m out. At the same time, there’s something inside of you. I grew up playing the game of baseball, I was taught to play with your hair on fire. It’s been an adjustment.”
Bregman must make it to transform the narrative surrounding him. Soft-tissue injuries forced him to spend 90 days on the injured list between 2020 and 2021 — and that doesn’t take into account his hamstring issues in spring training. He will play fewer than 100 games this season, one the team must hope is an aberration and not the start of a trend.
Bregman never sustained many soft-tissue injuries earlier in
his career. He’s struggled to discover why they’ve been an issue since 2020.
“I think overall, the hip complex is getting stronger for me,” Bregman said. “Whether it’s the hip flexion, the abduction, the adduction, extension, all that stuff is getting stronger and we’re working
to strengthen that daily. The hamstrings and quads and calves and big muscle groups are strong and right where they need to be. Running mechanics, I’ve looked into that a little bit. Overall I think it’s just back to the basics. That’s the game plan. Back to the basics.”
During his stint on the injured
list, Bregman created two individualized pregame routines with the team’s two athletic trainers — Jeremiah Randall and Jeff Lewis. Bregman will alternate days with each set of exercises.
When the game begins, Bregman’s mindfulness is key. He rolled over a cutter from Jordan Lyles on June 16, booked it down the first-base line and strained his quad. Bregman is athletic. He will be the first to acknowledge he is not fast.
According to Statcast, Bregman covers 26.2 feet per second when he sprints. In 2019 — his MVP runner-up season — he covered 27.4 feet per second. He averaged 4.3 seconds to go from home plate to first-base in 2016. He needed 4.48 in 2020 and 4.61 in 2021. Sniffing out an infield single or trying to take an extra base is in Bregman’s baseball makeup, but may not be prudent.
“You learn how to rewire yourself,” manager Dusty Baker said. “We’ve all had to do that to find a way to stay in the lineup. I urged him to play smart in the past. If you’re out, you’re out. If the fans get on you for not hustling, if they
don’t understand the need for you to stay in the lineup, you have to play another day. And another day and another day hopefully. There is a need to play smart.”
Baker acknowledged he will aid Bregman in playing smarter. He hit him sixth in Wednesday’s batting order in hopes he could produce runs instead of score them. He will keep an eye on his exertion level, perhaps even pinchrunning for him late in decided games or using Aledmys Diaz to spell him on defense.
Baker did not downplay the difficulties a transition like this brings. He listed a group of players from his past who tapered down as injuries mounted and durability questions lingered.
“Will Clark, Jeff Kent, Ellis Burkes,” Baker said. “I’ve had some big-time guys. You learn over time. You live to fight another day, play another game. I had to learn it, big time, when I had my knee injuries. You either learn it or you don’t play. You stay hurt. Those are your options.”