1. Overview
Alexander David Bregman, born on March 30, 1994, is an American professional baseball third baseman currently playing for the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball (MLB), having previously played for the Houston Astros. A highly touted prospect from a young age, Bregman achieved significant recognition in both his amateur and professional careers. He became the first high school player to win the USA Baseball Player of the Year Award in 2010. During his college career at Louisiana State University (LSU), he was named the 2013 National Freshman of the Year and won the Brooks Wallace Award as the nation's best college shortstop. Selected second overall in the 2015 MLB draft by the Astros, he quickly ascended to the major leagues in 2016.
Bregman's professional career has been marked by numerous achievements, including two World Series championships with the Astros (2017, 2022), an All-Star Game MVP award in 2018, and a Silver Slugger Award in 2019. He has set multiple postseason records for a third baseman in home runs and RBIs. Despite his successes, his career has also included controversy, particularly his involvement in the Houston Astros sign stealing scandal which led to public apologies and questions about the integrity of the game. After nine seasons with the Astros, Bregman joined the Boston Red Sox in 2025, where he continues to be a prominent figure in MLB.
2. Early Life and Background
Alex Bregman's formative years were deeply influenced by his family's rich history in sports and public service, particularly within the Jewish community in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
2.1. Family and Childhood
Bregman was born and raised in the Northeast Heights section of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is Jewish and was a member of Albuquerque's Congregation Albert during his upbringing. At the age of 13, during his Bar Mitzvah speech, he expressed his aspiration to become "a professional athlete who plays for the love of the game, never quits trying to give my best, and is a good role model for all of the kids who look up to baseball players."
His parents, Samuel and Jackie Bregman (née De Oliveira), both met in law school and are practicing lawyers. His father, Samuel Bregman, has a notable background in public service, having served as the chair of the Democratic Party of New Mexico and currently holding the position of District Attorney of Bernalillo County, New Mexico. His mother, originally Catholic, later converted to Judaism. Alex has two younger siblings, Jessica and Anthony (A.J.). His brother, A.J., is also a baseball player who was drafted by the Astros in the 35th round of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft.
Baseball runs deep in the Bregman family. His father played baseball as a freshman for the University of New Mexico Lobos in 1982, a team that his uncle, Ben Bregman, also played for. Both his father and uncle initially moved to Albuquerque on baseball scholarships to play for the university. His father also held a partial ownership stake in the NBA Development League's New Mexico Thunderbirds starting in 2006.
His paternal grandfather, Stan Bregman, was the son of Russian-Jewish immigrants who arrived in Washington, D.C., around 1900, fleeing anti-Jewish pogroms. Stan Bregman served as general counsel for the Washington Senators from the late 1960s until the team's relocation to Texas in 1971, a sale he negotiated. He was instrumental in the club signing Hall of Famer Ted Williams as their general manager. Stan Bregman was a constant presence at all of Alex's high school games. His great-grandfather, Samuel "Bo" Bregman, was a boxing promoter who featured notable boxers such as Joe Louis, Billy Conn, and Bob Foster. He was also part of the ownership group that moved the Boston Redskins to Washington, D.C., to become the Washington Redskins.
Throughout his childhood, Bregman owned several dogs, including two named after his baseball heroes: Jeter, after Derek Jeter, and Koufax, after fellow Jewish baseball player Sandy Koufax.
2.2. Early Baseball Experiences
Bregman began playing tee-ball at the young age of four. In his very first game, he remarkably executed an unassisted triple play by catching a line drive, tagging a runner, and then stepping on second base. He also served as a batboy for the University of New Mexico baseball team. In 2004, he was a batboy for a game against Arizona State University where his favorite baseball player at the time, Dustin Pedroia, was playing. His best friend, Blake Swihart, who later played for the Boston Red Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks, grew up playing travel ball with Bregman.
3. Amateur Career
Alex Bregman's amateur baseball career was marked by exceptional talent and significant accolades during his high school and college years, despite an injury that altered his draft prospects out of high school.
3.1. High School Career
Bregman attended Albuquerque Academy, where he primarily played catcher but notably led his high school team to a state championship as a freshman shortstop in 2009. During that championship season, he batted leadoff with an impressive .514 batting average, hit three home runs, including one that cleared Isotopes Park (the Class AAA team's stadium) during the championship game. In October 2010, as a sophomore, he competed in the COPABE Pan American Baseball Championships in Lagos de Mareno, Mexico. Playing for the 16-and-under USA National Team, he batted .564 and was named the MVP, contributing to the team's gold medal victory. That same year, at just 16 years old, he became the first high school player ever to receive the USA Baseball Richard W. "Dick" Case Player of the Year Award.
In his junior year in 2011, Bregman posted an outstanding .678 batting average and set a new New Mexico season record with 19 home runs. He was recognized with first-team All-State, All-Metro, and All-District honors. In the fall of that year, he once again led a U.S. National Team, this time the 18-and-under squad, to a gold medal at the International Baseball Federation World Championships.
Bregman was initially projected to be a first-round draft pick directly out of high school. However, this projection changed during his senior season when he suffered a significant injury in the fifth game: he shattered the second knuckle on his right (throwing) hand while attempting to deflect a bad hop on a ground ball with his bare hand. This injury caused him to miss most of his senior year. Despite the injury, the Boston Red Sox drafted him in the 29th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft as a second baseman. Bregman, however, had made it clear that he would only sign with a team if he was selected in the first round. Consequently, he chose not to sign with the Red Sox and instead committed to Louisiana State University.
3.2. College Career (LSU)
At Louisiana State University (LSU), Bregman pursued a major in sports administration while continuing his stellar baseball career as the starting shortstop for the LSU Tigers baseball team in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). He notably wore jersey number 30 as a freshman, a personal nod to the 30 teams that had passed on him in the first round of the 2012 MLB Draft.
In his freshman year in 2013, Bregman put up impressive statistics, batting .369 with a .417 on-base percentage and a .546 slugging percentage. He recorded 104 hits (second in the nation) in 282 at-bats, including 18 doubles (third in the SEC) and seven triples (leading the SEC), along with six home runs, 52 RBIs (fifth in the SEC), 59 runs (fourth in the SEC), and 16 stolen bases in 17 attempts (eighth in the SEC). He also sustained a remarkable 23-game hitting streak. For his outstanding performance, Bregman was awarded the 2013 Brooks Wallace Award as the nation's best college shortstop. He was also widely recognized as a first-team All-American by prestigious organizations such as Baseball America, the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), Perfect Game, and the Jewish Sports Review. Additionally, he was named the 2013 National Freshman of the Year by Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA). The league coaches voted him 2013 SEC Freshman of the Year and first-team all-SEC. Further accolades included 2013 ABCA First-Team All-South Region, NCAA Baton Rouge Regional Most Outstanding Player, Louisiana Freshman of the Year, and SEC Player of the Week (March 25, 2013). He also earned a spot on the 2013 USA Collegiate National Team, for which he batted .361.
In his sophomore season in 2014, he maintained strong performance, batting .316/.397/.455 with 16 doubles, six home runs, 35 runs, and 12 stolen bases in 244 at-bats. He was voted 2014 second-team all-SEC, named to the NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team, SEC All-Tournament Team, and Second-Team All-Louisiana. He also returned to the 2014 USA Collegiate National Team. During this season, he shared an apartment with his LSU teammate and future fellow MLB All-Star, pitcher Aaron Nola.
Bregman's junior year in 2015 saw him hit .312/.406/.534, collecting 59 runs (eighth in the SEC), 22 doubles (leading the SEC), nine home runs, 49 RBIs, and seven sacrifice flies (second). He also led the SEC with 38 stolen bases, which was the second-most steals in a single season in LSU history, and recorded 206 assists, leading the conference. He played a pivotal role in leading the nation's top-ranked baseball team to the College World Series and was honored with LSU's Skip Bertman Award, given to the player who best embodies the spirit of the LSU Baseball program. He also won the Rawlings Gold Glove at shortstop, as awarded by the ABCA, and earned first-team All-American selections from Baseball America and the NCBWA for the second time. He was also named First Team D1Baseball and Perfect Game, and Second Team Collegiate Baseball. He was one of four finalists for the 2015 Golden Spikes Award, an annual award for the nation's top college player, which was ultimately won by outfielder Andrew Benintendi. He was also a candidate once more for the Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Award, which he had previously won in 2013.
In his 190 career games at LSU, Bregman compiled a batting line of .338/.412/.520, with 66 strikeouts and 87 walks in 761 at-bats.
4. Professional Career
Alex Bregman's professional career has spanned the minor leagues and a highly successful, yet at times controversial, tenure in Major League Baseball with the Houston Astros, followed by a move to the Boston Red Sox.
4.1. Minor Leagues
Leading up to the 2015 MLB Draft, Bregman was highly praised for his exceptional sense of the strike zone, his impressive bat speed, his ability to make consistent contact, and his low strikeout rate. Scouts also highlighted his excellent range, quick first step, and natural instincts at shortstop, in addition to his strong throwing arm, good speed, and intelligent baserunning.
The Houston Astros selected Bregman with the second overall pick in the first round of the 2015 MLB Draft. This made him the fifth LSU Tiger to be drafted in the first round in seven years, and the highest-drafted position player in LSU's history. He was also the second-highest overall pick from LSU, behind only pitcher Ben McDonald (1989). Furthermore, Bregman became the highest-ever drafted player from New Mexico, surpassing former ninth-selected pitchers Jim Kremmel (1971) and Duane Ward (1982). Among Jewish players, he was the second-highest drafted, behind Ron Blomberg (1967).
While some TV analysts, like former major league second baseman Harold Reynolds, suggested Bregman might be better suited for second base in the majors, Bregman himself was confident in his ability to play shortstop, stating that every team he spoke with before the draft indicated he could play the position. LSU head coach Paul Mainieri famously asserted: "If you don't think Alex Bregman can play shortstop at the Major League level, you don't know the first thing about baseball." Mike Elias, the Astros' Director of Amateur Scouting, and General Manager Jeff Luhnow both affirmed that Bregman would remain a shortstop through the Astros' minor league system and into the major leagues.
Bregman signed with the Astros in June 2015 for a 5.90 M USD signing bonus. He made his professional debut later that month with the Quad Cities River Bandits of the Single-A Midwest League. In late July, the Astros promoted him to the Lancaster JetHawks of the High-A California League. Playing shortstop for both teams in 2015, he batted an aggregate .294 with a .366 on-base percentage and a .415 slugging percentage in 272 at-bats.
He began the 2016 season with the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks in the Texas League, where he excelled with a .297 batting average, a .415 on-base percentage (second in the league), and a .559 slugging percentage (third in the league), hitting 14 home runs and posting a .975 OPS in 236 at-bats. He was recognized as the league's Player of the Week on April 17 and was named a Double-A mid-season All-Star. Bregman was then promoted to the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies, where he continued to impress, batting .333/.373/.641 in 18 games. Combined across the two teams in 80 minor league games, he posted a .306 batting average, a .406 on-base percentage, and a .580 slugging percentage, along with 71 runs, 20 home runs, and 61 RBIs in 314 at-bats. He played 64 games at shortstop and 13 at third base in the minor leagues that year.
For his exceptional performance in the minor leagues, USA Today named Bregman the 2016 Minor League Player of the Year. He was also recognized as the MLB Pipeline 2016 Hitter of the Year and was selected as the third baseman for the MLB Pipeline 2016 Prospect Team of the Year. Further accolades included being named the 2016 Astros' Minor League Player of the Year, ESPN.com Prospect of the Year, and a Baseball America Minor League All-Star.
4.2. Major League Debut (2016)

On July 25, 2016, the Houston Astros officially purchased Alex Bregman's contract from the Fresno Grizzlies, adding him to their 25-man roster. He made his highly anticipated major league debut later that day, starting at third base against the New York Yankees. He was notable as the first position player selected in the 2015 MLB Draft to debut in the major leagues.
Bregman initially faced a challenge, going hitless in his first 17 major league at-bats across five games. In response, the Astros moved him up to the second spot in their batting order, a move intended to help him see better pitches and demonstrate the team's continued confidence in his abilities. He recorded his first major league hit on July 31, a single against the Detroit Tigers. His first career home run came at home on August 16, a two-run shot to right field at Minute Maid Park that tied the game against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning.
For the 2016 season, Bregman played in 49 games, batting .264/.313/.478 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs. His .478 slugging percentage was the seventh-best among any Astros rookie all-time. With Carlos Correa, the 2015 AL Rookie of the Year, at shortstop, Bregman primarily played third base, appearing in 40 games at that position, along with four games at shortstop.
4.3. World Series and World Baseball Classic Champion (2017)

Alex Bregman's 2017 baseball season began with a significant international achievement. At 22 years old, he was the youngest member of Team USA in the 2017 World Baseball Classic (WBC). The team went on to win its first gold medal in the WBC, defeating Puerto Rico 8-0 in the final. Notably, Bregman had also received an invitation to play for Team Israel, as WBC rules allow all Jewish baseball players to represent the team. He later reflected that in hindsight, he "probably should've" played for Team Israel, as he only received four at-bats playing as a backup for Team USA.
In the 2017 MLB season, Bregman was the youngest Opening Day third baseman in Astros history, at 23 years and four days old. On May 14, he hit his first major league grand slam off Masahiro Tanaka during a game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, contributing to a 10-7 Astros victory. On August 10, Bregman tied the Astros' franchise record for extra-base hits in consecutive games, reaching 10 games, a feat previously achieved by outfielder Richard Hidalgo.
For the 2017 season, Bregman batted .284/.352/.475. He recorded 39 doubles and five triples, both ranking ninth in the American League (AL). He also hit 19 home runs, scored 88 runs, drove in 71 RBIs, and stole 17 bases, which tied for the lead among all major league third basemen. His .331 batting average against left-handed pitchers was ninth-best in the AL. Defensively, he primarily played third base, appearing in 132 games at the position, and led AL third basemen in fielding percentage (.970), which was the fourth-highest fielding percentage by a third baseman in team history. He also played 30 games at shortstop. The Astros finished the season with an impressive 101-61 record, winning the AL West division and advancing Bregman to his first career major league playoff appearance.
Bregman emerged as a key player for the Astros throughout the 2017 postseason. In Game 4 of the ALDS against the Boston Red Sox, he hit a crucial home run off Chris Sale, his second off Sale in the series, in the eighth inning. This home run tied the game 3-3 and sparked an Astros rally that led to a 5-4 win, propelling them to their first appearance in a Championship Series since 2005. Bregman also demonstrated his exceptional defensive skills throughout the postseason, particularly during the ALCS against the New York Yankees. In Game 7, with the Astros holding a precarious 1-0 lead and Yankees runners on first and third in the top of the fifth inning, Bregman made a critical play, throwing out Greg Bird at home plate on a chopped ball to third base off the bat of Todd Frazier. This play helped preserve the lead and contributed to the Astros' 4-0 victory in the pennant-clinching game.
Bregman continued to make crucial defensive plays in the 2017 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. In Game 4, he again threw out a runner at home from third base, gunning down Austin Barnes at the plate in the top of the sixth inning to maintain a scoreless tie. While Bregman also homered off Kenley Jansen in the bottom of the ninth, the Astros ultimately lost that game 6-2. His most significant contribution came in Game 5, a high-scoring, back-and-forth affair where the Astros overcame two separate three-run deficits. In the bottom of the 10th inning, Bregman delivered a walk-off single off Jansen, securing a thrilling 13-12 victory for the Astros and a 3-2 series lead. This marked Bregman's first career walk-off hit. He also became only the second player, joining Amos Otis, to drive in a run in each of his first five World Series games. The series extended to seven games, and the Astros ultimately won their first World Series title in franchise history. Bregman concluded his first postseason with four home runs and 10 RBIs.
4.4. All-Star Game MVP and Records (2018)

In 2018, the Astros renewed Alex Bregman's contract for 599.00 K USD, an increase of 60.00 K USD. In June, he was recognized as the AL Player of the Month for his exceptional performance, batting .306/.372/.713 with 11 home runs and 30 RBIs in 108 at-bats. His 30 RBIs set a new Astros record for the month of June. He became only the second Astros third baseman to win this award, following Art Howe in May 1981. Bregman also earned the AL Player of the Week for the period of June 25 - July 1, during which he hit .464/.516/1.179 with five doubles, five home runs, and ten RBIs in 28 at-bats.
With a .284 batting average, 17 home runs, 57 RBIs, and 29 doubles by mid-season, Bregman was selected to the 2018 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. He was also invited to participate in the 2018 Home Run Derby. During the All-Star Game, he hit a go-ahead home run in the 10th inning off Ross Stripling, leading to him being named the Astros' first ever All-Star Game MVP.
In the second half of the season, Bregman became a crucial offensive leader for the Astros, particularly as injuries sidelined key players like Carlos Correa, George Springer, and Jose Altuve for much of July and early August. During this period, Bregman was instrumental in carrying the Astros' offense, batting .342 with six home runs and 18 RBIs. It was also during this stretch that the "Dugout Stare," a home run celebration Bregman had initiated during the 2017 postseason, gained widespread popularity among his teammates and on social media. A notable instance occurred on August 22 in a game against the Seattle Mariners, when Tyler White hit a solo home run. A large group of Astros players, including Bregman, performed a synchronized dugout stare into the camera, establishing it as their new team home run celebration and generating significant social media buzz.
On September 8, Bregman became the youngest Astro in franchise history to hit 30 home runs in a single season, achieving the feat at 24 years old. Just four days later, on September 12, he achieved several career milestones, recording his 50th double of the season, along with his 100th RBI and 100th run scored. This made him the first Astro to log 100 RBIs in a season since Carlos Lee in 2009, and the first primary third baseman in Major League history to record 50 doubles and 30 home runs in a single season. He was also the first player since Albert Pujols in 2012 to hit 30 home runs and 50 doubles, and drive in 100 runs in the same year. Bregman also extended his on-base streak to 39 games, the longest in team history since 1999, and tied Jeff Bagwell's franchise record of reaching base in 51 consecutive road games, a record established in 2001.
For the 2018 regular season, Bregman finished with a batting line of .286/.394 (4th in the AL)/.532 (6th in the AL), hitting 31 home runs and leading the AL with 51 doubles, which was the third-most in Astros history. He also recorded 83 extra-base hits (second in the league), 96 walks (third), 105 runs, and 103 RBIs (each fifth in the AL). He maintained excellent plate discipline, ranking second in the American League for lowest swinging strike percentage (4.3%) and O-Swing percentage (20.0%), and third in contact percentage (88.5%). He was also third in the major leagues in walks-to-strikeout ratio (1.13). With runners in scoring position, Bregman was particularly effective, batting .386/.488/.735, which was the highest slugging percentage in the major leagues and the second-best OPS (behind Mike Trout).
Defensively, Bregman was a finalist for the Gold Glove Award at third base. The Houston chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America named him the Astros' most valuable player. In the voting for the American League Most Valuable Player award, Bregman finished in fifth place. In the 2018 American League Division Series, Bregman batted an impressive .556, and his .714 on-base percentage was the third-highest all-time in a division series, while his 1.333 slugging percentage ranked as the fourth-highest all-time.
4.5. Silver Slugger Award and AL MVP Runner-up (2019)
In early January 2019, Alex Bregman underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow. He made a successful return to action in spring training on March 2.
In March, Bregman and the Astros agreed to a substantial six-year, 100.00 M USD contract extension. This deal covered the 2019 season, the three years he would have been eligible for arbitration, and the first two years of his potential free agent status. It marked the second-highest contract in Astros club history and was the third-largest ever for a player with between two and three years of major league service time.
Bregman was named the American League Player of the Month for August 2019, showcasing his consistent offensive prowess.
For the 2019 regular season, Bregman posted a remarkable batting line of .296/.423/.592, with his slugging percentage tied for the eighth-highest in Astros history. He led all major league batters in walks (119), which was the sixth-most in Astros history, and also led in walk-to-strikeout ratio (1.43). In the American League, he led in times on base (292), the ninth-highest in team history, and in WAR (8.4), which was the second-best in Astros history. Bregman also ranked second in the AL in on-base percentage (.423), and third in home runs (41, seventh-most in team history), slugging percentage (.592), and on-base plus slugging percentage (1.015). He was fourth in runs scored (122, ninth-most in Astros history), and fifth in RBIs (112), extra-base hits (80, eighth-most in Astros history), and sacrifice flies (8). He finished seventh in games played (156), eighth in at-bats-per-strikeout (6.7), and ninth in at-bats-per-home-run (13.5, tenth-best in team history). Notably, he swung at the lowest percentage of pitches outside the strike zone of all major league batters (18.8%). He joined Mike Trout and Juan Soto as one of only three major league players to record at least 100 runs, 100 walks, and 100 RBIs in the season. He became the only player in Astros history to hit 40 or more home runs in a season while striking out fewer than 100 times, and, along with Joe Morgan, was one of only two players in team history to amass 100 or more walks and strike out fewer than 90 times in a season. Defensively, he split his time between third base (99 games) and shortstop (65 games).
In the 2019 postseason, Bregman had an excellent showing in the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays, batting .353/.450/.647 with two doubles, one home run, three walks, and two RBIs. However, his bat went cold in the ALCS and the first three games of the World Series, as he struggled through a 4-for-31 (.129) slump with only one home run and three RBIs. Bregman broke out of his slump dramatically in Game 4 of the World Series, going 3-for-5 with a grand slam and five RBIs in an 8-1 Astros win that tied the series at 2-2. Despite his efforts, the Astros eventually lost the series to the Washington Nationals in seven games.
Following the season, Bregman was awarded the 2019 American League Silver Slugger Award at third base, recognizing him as the league's best offensive player at the position. He also finished second in the voting for the 2019 American League Most Valuable Player award, receiving 335 points (13 first-place votes and 17 second-place votes), while winner Mike Trout garnered 355 points (17 first-place votes and 13 second-place votes), with both players being listed first and second on every ballot. He was also voted to the 2019 All-MLB Team Second Team.
4.6. Sign-Stealing Scandal and Shortened Season (2020)
In late 2019, the Houston Astros sign stealing scandal erupted, revealing that the Astros had illegally used technology to steal signs during their 2017 and 2018 championship seasons. This scandal significantly impacted the team's reputation and led to an MLB investigation and subsequent penalties against the organization.
In January 2020, Bregman, along with other Astros players, faced intense media scrutiny at the team's annual fan festival in Houston. His initial response to reporters' repeated questions about the scandal was a variation of the phrase: "The commissioner made his report, made his decision, and the Astros made their decision and I have no further comment on it." This deflection was met with widespread public and media criticism, highlighting a perceived lack of genuine remorse.
On February 13, the Astros held a news conference at their spring training facility to address the scandal more directly. During this conference, Bregman offered a more contrite statement: "I am really sorry about the choices that were made by my team, by the organization, and by me. I have learned from this and I hope to regain the trust of baseball fans." At the same event, Astros owner Jim Crane publicly denied allegations that Bregman and other Astros players had used buzzer devices in 2019, stating, "I truly believe there were no buzzers, ever, and I don't even know where that came from." The scandal and the players' initial responses severely eroded public trust in the team and the sport's integrity.
On July 27, 2020, in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Bregman hit his 100th career home run off Kendall Graveman of the Seattle Mariners. For the shortened season, he batted .242/.350/.451 with six home runs and 22 RBIs in 153 at-bats. Defensively, he recorded the second-highest fielding percentage among all AL third basemen at .979, playing 42 games at the position. Through 2020, he held the fourth-highest career on-base percentage (.381), slugging percentage (.521), and OPS (.902) among all Astros batters, and the eighth-best career rate of at-bats-per-home-run (19.6).
4.7. Injury and Return (2021)
On June 16, 2021, Alex Bregman sustained a left quadriceps strain during a game against the Texas Rangers while attempting to avoid hitting into a double play. At the time of his injury, he was batting .275 with seven home runs and 34 RBIs. The injury forced him to miss over two months of the season.
He made his return to play on August 25, scoring the winning run against the Kansas City Royals. For the regular season, Bregman batted .270/.355/.422 with 12 home runs and 55 RBIs in 91 games and 348 at-bats, playing third base exclusively. For his commendable character and service to the community, the Houston chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) honored Bregman with the Darryl Kile Good Guy Award for 2021.
In Game 6 of the 2021 World Series, Bregman made his 73rd postseason start as part of the Astros' core infield unit alongside Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, and Yuli Gurriel. This quartet achieved a significant milestone, accumulating more postseason starts together than any other group of four teammates in major league history, surpassing the Yankees' Derek Jeter, Tino Martinez, Paul O'Neill, and Bernie Williams, who had started 68 postseason contests together.
4.8. Second World Series Championship (2022)
Bregman started the 2022 season strong, earning his second career weekly award as the AL Player of the Week on April 10. Over MLB's Opening Weekend, he batted an impressive .429 (6-for-14) with two home runs, six RBIs, and a 1.286 OPS. On August 18, Bregman had a career-high six RBIs against the Chicago White Sox, hitting two home runs and two doubles, and scoring four runs in a dominant 21-5 victory where the Astros recorded 25 hits, tied for both the second-highest scoring output and most hits in team history. His two-run double in the third inning of that game was his 200th career double, setting an Astros club record for fewest games to reach the milestone (765), surpassing his teammate Jose Altuve (804 games).
After entering August with a .773 OPS, Bregman significantly improved his performance, batting .362/.452/.681 with nine doubles, seven home runs, 22 RBIs, 17 walks, and 27 runs scored over 27 games, earning him AL Player of the Month honors. This was his third career monthly award. On September 11, Bregman hit a grand slam that gave the Astros the go-ahead runs in a 12-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels. It was his fourth career grand slam and his first since 2019. Bregman's double and two RBIs on September 19 against the Tampa Bay Rays powered a 4-0 Astros' win that clinched their fifth AL West division title in six seasons.
In 2022, Bregman batted .259/.366/.454 in 548 at-bats, accumulating 93 runs (fifth in the AL), 38 doubles (tenth), 23 home runs, and 93 RBIs (eighth). He also drew 87 walks (second in the AL) and maintained a strong 7.1 at-bats-per-strikeout ratio (ninth). He led the AL with 10 sacrifice flies and led the AL in the lowest percentage of balls outside the strike zone swung at (21.8%). He was also third in the AL in BB/SO ratio (1.13). Notably, Bregman was one of only two qualified batters in the major leagues, alongside Juan Soto, to collect more walks than strikeouts while hitting at least 20 home runs. He was named a finalist for the 2022 Silver Slugger Award at third base. Defensively, he led all AL third basemen in assists and ranked second in putouts, double plays, and fielding percentage (.983).
By the end of the 2022 season, Bregman ranked eighth on the Astros' all-time career list in hit by pitch (45), ninth in home runs (140) and extra-base hits (359), and tenth in doubles (204). He was also tenth among all active baseball players in career on-base percentage (.375).
During the 2022 ALDS, Bregman batted .333/.375/.600 with one home run and three RBIs in 15 at-bats. In the 2022 American League Championship Series, he maintained a nearly identical batting line of .333/.375/.600 with one home run and four RBIs in 15 at-bats. He hit his 14th career postseason home run in Game 2 of the 2022 ALCS, moving past Justin Turner for the most by a third baseman. His 43 career RBIs in the playoffs also set a record for the most all-time by a third baseman.
In Game 2 of the 2022 World Series, Bregman hit a home run, setting the record for the most career World Series home runs by a third baseman with six, achieved in his 22nd career World Series game. This was also his 15th career postseason home run, tying him with Babe Ruth. The Astros ultimately won the World Series, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in six games, earning Bregman his second World Series ring. Immediately after the series concluded, it was revealed that Bregman had broken his finger late in Game 6, though the injury proved not to be serious enough to impact his return for the 2023 season.
4.9. Grand Slam Record and Consistent Performance (2023)
On April 23, 2023, Alex Bregman reached a significant career milestone by driving in the 500th run of his career. In June, he showcased an extraordinary power surge, hitting three grand slams in a single month. His fifth career grand slam came on June 3 against the Los Angeles Angels, during a game where he also drew four walks, leading the Astros to a 9-6 victory. This was his first four-walk game since June 12, 2019, against the Milwaukee Brewers. He joined Bobby Bonds and J. D. Martinez as the only players to achieve the feat of hitting a grand slam and drawing four walks in one game. According to OptaSTATS, he also became the only player in the Modern Era to draw four walks and hit a grand slam in his only official at-bat. On June 29, he hit his third grand slam of the month against the St. Louis Cardinals, marking his seventh career grand slam and tying him with Jose Altuve and Carlos Lee for the most in Astros franchise history.
For the 2023 regular season, Bregman batted .262/.363/.441 in 622 at-bats, with 103 runs scored (third in the American League), 25 home runs, 98 RBIs (sixth), and 92 walks (third). He maintained excellent plate discipline, striking out only 87 times, resulting in a 7.1 at-bats-per-strikeout ratio (third in the AL). Defensively, his range factor per game of 2.44 was third-best among AL third basemen. He also ranked within the top 5% of major league players in strikeout percentage, whiff percentage, and chase percentage. Through the end of the 2023 season, he solidified his place among the top-10 Astros career leaders in several offensive categories, including doubles (235; 8th), home runs (165; 8th), OPS (.861; 5th), OBP (.373; 8th), slugging percentage (.487; 8th), runs (615; 10th), RBIs (588; 10th), and walks (532; 10th).
4.10. Final Astros Season and Gold Glove (2024)
Alex Bregman continued to reach career milestones in his final season with the Houston Astros. On April 25, 2024, he recorded his 1,000th career hit, a single in the sixth inning of a 3-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs. This achievement made him the 14th player to amass 1,000 hits as a member of the Astros franchise. Later in the season, for the week ending August 11, Bregman was named AL co-Player of the Week alongside teammate Yordan Alvarez. The pair's combined efforts led the Astros to five wins in six games during that period, with Bregman batting an impressive .444 with a 1.389 OPS, three doubles, three home runs, three walks, and six RBIs. This was only the second time in club history that two players shared the AL Player of the Week honors, the first being Richard Hidalgo and Julio Lugo on September 10, 2000.
For the 2024 season, Bregman batted .260/.315/.453 over 145 games and 635 plate appearances, contributing 30 doubles, 26 home runs, and 75 RBIs. His at-bat-per-strikeout ratio was 6.8, ranking fourth in the AL, indicative of his consistent plate discipline. Defensively, he continued to excel at third base, grading at six runs saved above average. He led AL third basemen for the third consecutive year in games played (142) and assists (242). He also led in putouts (103), double plays turned (23), total zone runs (12), range factor per game (2.43), and fielding percentage (.972). He ranked third in errors committed with 10.
Following the 2024 season, Bregman became a free agent after declining a one-year, 21.05 M USD qualifying offer from the Astros. His defensive excellence was recognized as he won his first AL Gold Glove Award at third base.
4.11. Boston Red Sox (2025-Present)
On February 15, 2025, Alex Bregman officially signed with the Boston Red Sox on a three-year contract worth 120.00 M USD. The contract includes opt-out options after the 2025 and 2026 seasons, providing flexibility for his future. Upon his arrival in Boston, a potential positional adjustment was immediately a topic of discussion, as Rafael Devers already held the full-time third base job for the Red Sox and stated he would not accept a change in position. In response, Bregman indicated his willingness to move to second base if necessary, demonstrating his adaptability for the team's needs.
5. Personal Life
Alex Bregman's personal life is rooted in Houston, where he has established a family and continues to engage with his community.
In January 2020, Bregman announced his engagement to Reagan Howard, and the couple married in December of the same year. They reside in Houston year-round. On August 1, 2022, they welcomed their first child, a son.
Bregman has always been an avid dog owner. In 2019, he and Reagan adopted a puppy named Hank. Growing up, he had two dogs named after his baseball heroes: Jeter, after Derek Jeter, and Koufax, after fellow Jewish baseball player Sandy Koufax.
Demonstrating his commitment to communication and team cohesion, Bregman consistently practices and improves his Spanish-speaking ability with several of his Latin American Astros teammates, including Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, and Yuli Gurriel. He began studying Spanish as a child in school in his hometown of Albuquerque, where nearly half of the population is Latino, giving him a foundational understanding that he actively builds upon.
6. Legacy and Assessment
Alex Bregman's legacy in baseball is characterized by both remarkable achievements on the field and significant controversy off it, particularly concerning the integrity of the game.
6.1. Major Achievements and Positive Assessment
Bregman's career is highlighted by a long list of individual and team accomplishments. As an amateur, he made history as the first high school player to win the USA Baseball Player of the Year Award and was a two-time All-American at Louisiana State University (LSU), where he also earned the Brooks Wallace Award as the nation's best college shortstop.
In professional baseball, Bregman quickly became one of the league's premier third basemen. He was a crucial part of the Houston Astros teams that won two World Series championships in 2017 and 2022, contributing significantly with timely hits and exceptional defense in postseason play. His individual accolades include winning the All-Star Game MVP in 2018, leading the American League in doubles the same year, and earning a Silver Slugger Award in 2019 as the best offensive third baseman. In 2024, his defensive prowess was recognized with his first AL Gold Glove Award.
Throughout his career, Bregman has achieved numerous statistical milestones. He became the youngest Astro to hit 30 home runs in a season and the first primary third baseman in MLB history to record 50 doubles and 30 home runs in a single season. He consistently ranks among the league leaders in on-base percentage, walks, and WAR, showcasing his elite plate discipline and overall offensive value. His performance with runners in scoring position has been particularly outstanding, often leading the league in key offensive metrics in high-leverage situations. He has also set multiple postseason records for a third baseman, including career home runs and RBIs, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure on baseball's biggest stages. His dedication to improving his Spanish with teammates also highlights a positive aspect of his character, fostering camaraderie and communication within the clubhouse.
6.2. Criticism and Controversy
Despite his impressive on-field achievements, Alex Bregman's career has been significantly overshadowed by the Houston Astros sign stealing scandal that came to light in late 2019. The revelation that the Astros had illegally used technology to steal signs during their 2017 World Series championship season, and into 2018, sparked widespread outrage and led to a profound loss of public trust in the team and Major League Baseball.
Bregman, as a prominent member of the 2017 team, faced intense scrutiny. His initial public statements regarding the scandal, where he largely deferred to MLB's report and the team's decisions without taking personal accountability, were widely criticized. This perceived lack of genuine remorse from players involved was seen by many as a failure to uphold the integrity of the sport and a disregard for the fans who felt cheated. While he later issued a more direct apology, acknowledging the "choices that were made by my team, by the organization, and by me" and expressing a hope to "regain the trust of baseball fans," the scandal left an indelible mark on his reputation and that of his teammates. The controversy raised serious questions about the legitimacy of the Astros' 2017 World Series title and the ethical responsibilities of professional athletes.
The scandal's impact extended beyond the diamond, affecting how Bregman and his teammates were perceived by opponents and fans across the league. The criticism highlighted the importance of fair play and accountability in professional sports. While Bregman's talents are undeniable, his involvement in the scandal remains a significant part of his public image and legacy, serving as a reminder of the consequences of actions that compromise the spirit of competition.