Pounding the Table: Alex Bregman

Alex Bregman has been on the draft radar for a long time. He was a well-regarded high school prospect, but slid in the draft due to signability concerns, and then cemented himself as a future high pick with a fantastic freshman season. He was a bit underwhelming as a sophomore but has really cemented his stock as a junior, showing the profile that many fell in love with in years past.

Bregman's biggest strength is his advanced bat. A quick-twitch athlete with bat speed and a short, dynamic swing, Bregman shows excellent plate coverage and an ability to send hard-hit balls to all fields. Bregman doesn't have the natural power of some players in this class, but his bat speed and ability to get barrel to ball gives him at least average pop. He's a disciplined hitter with very advanced skills at the dish. He's not oozing with the upside with Brendan Rodgers is, but he looks the part of an imposing future #2 hitter.

Many had soured on Bregman's ability to play shortstop during his first two years at LSU, but he has been much improved at the position this season. He shows better-than-expected range and has enough arm for the position. His athletic profile would also slot in well at second base if he ends up in a logjam or doesn't settle in well at shortstop in the pros. Regardless, he projects easily as an up the middle player and that, combined with his bat, makes him a special player. Bregman doesn't have the resume that Dansby Swanson has put together in college, but teams chasing offensive upside should be giving Bregman a long look tonight- and he should top at least a few draft boards. If the Astros want to bolster an already improving lineup, Bregman should in the front of their minds as they come up on the clock tonight.