Alex Bregman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alex Bregman
Bregman with the Houston Astros in 2019
Free agent
Third baseman
Born: (1994-03-30) March 30, 1994 (age 31) Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Bats: Right Throws: Right
debut
July 25, 2016, for the Houston Astros
MLB statistics (through 2024 season)
Batting average	.272
Hits	1,132
Home runs	191
Runs batted in	663
Teams
Houston Astros (2016–2024)
Career highlights and awards
2× All-Star (2018, 2019) 2× World Series champion (2017, 2022) All-MLB Second Team (2019) Gold Glove Award (2024) Silver Slugger Award (2019)
Medals Men's baseball Representing USA World Baseball Classic Gold 2017 Los Angeles Team

Alex Bregman (born March 30, 1994) is an American professional baseball player. He plays as a third baseman and is currently a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros.

When he was a high school sophomore in 2010, Alex became the first high school player to win the USA Baseball Player of the Year Award. The next year, as a junior, he hit .678 and set a New Mexico record with 19 home runs. In college, he played for Louisiana State University (LSU). He was named the 2013 National Freshman of the Year and won the 2013 Brooks Wallace Award as the best college shortstop. He was also a two-time All-American. In 2015, the Houston Astros chose him as the second pick in the first round of the 2015 MLB draft.

Bregman started playing in MLB in 2016. In 2017, he was the youngest player on Team USA. This team won the gold medal in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. He also won the 2017 World Series with the Astros that year. In 2018, he was named MVP of the MLB All-Star Game. He also led the American League in doubles. In 2019, he was an All-Star again and won the Silver Slugger Award. He won his second World Series in 2022. As of 2024, he holds many postseason records for a third baseman. These include home runs, runs batted in, and assists.

Early Life and Family

Alex Bregman was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He grew up in the Northeast Heights part of the city. He is Jewish. When he was 13, he said he wanted to be a professional athlete. He wanted to play for the love of the game and be a good role model.

His parents, Samuel and Jackie Bregman, are both lawyers. Alex has two younger siblings, Jessica and Anthony (A.J.). His brother A.J. also plays baseball. Alex's father and uncle both played college baseball for the University of New Mexico Lobos.

Alex's grandfather, Stan Bregman, was a lawyer for the Washington Senators baseball team. He helped the team sign Hall of Famer Ted Williams. His great-grandfather, Samuel "Bo" Bregman, came to the U.S. from Russia. He promoted boxing cards and helped move the Boston Redskins football team to Washington, D.C.

Bregman started playing tee-ball at age four. In his first game, he made a rare unassisted triple play. He was a batboy for the University of New Mexico baseball team. His best friend is Blake Swihart, who also played in MLB. They played travel baseball together when they were young.

High School Baseball Career

Bregman went to Albuquerque Academy. He mostly played catcher at first. In 2009, as a freshman shortstop, he led his high school team to a state championship. He hit .514 with three home runs that year.

In 2010, he played for the 16-and-under USA National Team in Mexico. He hit .564 and helped his team win a gold medal. At age 16, he became the first high school player to win the USA Baseball Richard W. "Dick" Case Player of the Year Award.

In 2011, as a junior, Bregman hit .678 and set a New Mexico record with 19 home runs. He was named first team All-State. Later that year, he led the 18-and-under U.S. National Team to a gold medal.

Bregman was expected to be a top draft pick out of high school. However, he broke a knuckle in his right hand during his senior year. This injury made him miss most of the season. The Boston Red Sox drafted him in the 29th round in 2012. But he chose not to sign with them. Instead, he decided to go to LSU for college.

College Baseball Career

Bregman playing shortstop for LSU at Baum Stadium

At LSU, Bregman studied sports administration. He played shortstop for the LSU Tigers baseball team. He wore number 30 to remember the 30 teams that didn't pick him in the 2012 draft.

In 2013, he hit .369 with 104 hits and 52 RBIs. He won the 2013 Brooks Wallace Award as the best college shortstop. He was also named first-team All-American by several groups. He was the 2013 National Freshman of the Year.

In 2014, he hit .316 with 16 doubles and six home runs. He was named second-team all-SEC. He also played for the 2014 USA Collegiate National Team. He shared an apartment with future MLB All-Star Aaron Nola.

In 2015, Bregman hit .312 with 22 doubles and nine home runs. He led the SEC with 38 stolen bases. He also won the Rawlings Gold Glove award at shortstop. He was a finalist for the 2015 Golden Spikes Award, given to the nation's best college player.

In his college career at LSU, Bregman played 190 games. He hit .338 with 66 strikeouts and 87 walks.

Professional Baseball Career

Draft and Minor Leagues

Experts praised Bregman's skills before the draft. They liked his ability to hit well and play shortstop. They also noted his strong arm and good speed.

The Houston Astros picked Bregman second overall in the 2015 MLB Draft. He was the highest-drafted position player in LSU's history. He was also the second-highest drafted Jewish player ever.

Many thought Bregman would play second base in the major leagues. But Bregman and his coaches believed he could play shortstop. The Astros also said he would stay at shortstop.

Bregman signed with the Astros in June 2015. He started playing professionally with the Quad Cities River Bandits. Then he moved up to the Lancaster JetHawks. He hit .294 in his first minor league season.

In 2016, Bregman started with the AA Corpus Christi Hooks. He hit .297 with 14 home runs. He was named the league's Player of the Week. Later, he moved to the AAA Fresno Grizzlies. Overall, he hit .306 with 20 home runs and 61 RBIs in the minor leagues.

USA Today named Bregman the 2016 Minor League Player of the Year. He also received other awards for his great minor league performance.

Houston Astros (2016–2024)

2016: Rookie Season

Bregman with the Astros in 2016

On July 25, 2016, Bregman joined the Houston Astros. He made his MLB debut at third base against the New York Yankees. He was the first position player from the 2015 draft to reach the major leagues.

He got his first major league hit on July 31 against the Detroit Tigers. His first home run came on August 16 against the Cardinals. For the 2016 season, he hit .264 with 8 home runs and 34 RBIs in 49 games. He played most games at third base.

2017: World Series Champion

Bregman playing shortstop in 2017

At 22, Bregman was the youngest player on Team USA in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Team USA won its first gold medal in the WBC.

Bregman was the youngest Opening Day third baseman in Astros history. On May 14, 2017, he hit his first major league grand slam against the New York Yankees. He also tied an Astros record for extra-base hits in 10 straight games.

For the 2017 season, Bregman hit .284 with 19 home runs and 71 RBIs. He also had 39 doubles and 17 stolen bases. He played third base mostly and led AL third basemen in fielding percentage. The Astros won their division and made it to the playoffs.

Bregman played a big part in the 2017 postseason. His home run in Game 4 of the ALDS helped the Astros win. He also made great defensive plays. In Game 7 of the ALCS, he threw out a runner at home plate. This helped the Astros win and reach the World Series.

In Game 4 of the 2017 World Series, Bregman again threw out a runner at home. In Game 5, he hit a walk-off single in the 10th inning. This gave the Astros a thrilling 13–12 win. The Astros won the World Series in seven games. Bregman finished his first postseason with four home runs and 10 RBIs.

2018: All-Star Game MVP

Bregman on base in 2018.

In June 2018, Bregman was named AL Player of the Month. He hit .306 with 11 home runs and 30 RBIs. He was also named AL Player of the Week.

He was named to the 2018 MLB All-Star Game. He also took part in the 2018 Home Run Derby. After hitting a go-ahead home run in the All-Star Game, he was named the Astros' first All-Star Game MVP.

Bregman became a key player for the Astros in the second half of 2018. He helped the team's offense when other star players were injured. The "Dugout Stare," a home run celebration he started, became popular.

On September 8, Bregman became the youngest Astro to hit 30 home runs in a season. He also got his 50th double, 100th RBI, and 100th run scored. He was the first player since 2012 to have 30 home runs, 50 doubles, and 100 RBIs.

For the 2018 season, he hit .286 with 31 home runs and 51 doubles. He led the AL in doubles. He was also good at not striking out and drawing walks. He was a finalist for the Gold Glove Award at third base. He finished 5th in the voting for American League Most Valuable Player.

2019: Silver Slugger Award

In early 2019, Bregman had surgery on his right elbow. He returned to play in spring training in March.

In March, Bregman signed a six-year, $100 million contract extension with the Astros. This was a big contract for a player with his amount of experience.

Bregman was named the American League Player of the Month for August 2019.

For the 2019 season, he hit .296 with 41 home runs and 112 RBIs. He led the major leagues in walks (119). He was also second in the AL in on-base percentage. He was one of only three MLB players with at least 100 runs, 100 walks, and 100 RBIs. He played both third base and shortstop.

In the 2019 postseason, Bregman played well in the ALDS. He hit a grand slam in Game 4 of the World Series. The Astros lost the series in seven games.

After the season, he won the 2019 American League Silver Slugger Award at third base. This award goes to the best offensive player at each position. He finished second in the voting for 2019 American League Most Valuable Player.

2021 Season

On June 16, 2021, Bregman hurt his left leg. He missed over two months of the season. He was hitting .275 with seven home runs at the time. He came back on August 25.

For the regular season, Bregman hit .270 with 12 home runs and 55 RBIs in 91 games. He played only third base. He received the Darryl Kile Good Guy Award for his character and community service.

In Game 6 of the 2021 World Series, Bregman made his 73rd postseason start. This was a record for an infield group of teammates.

2022: Second World Series Championship

Bregman was named AL Player of the Week on April 10, 2022. He hit .429 with two home runs and six RBIs that week. On August 18, he had a career-high six RBIs in a game against the White Sox. His 200th career double set an Astros record for reaching that mark fastest.

In August, Bregman hit .362 with nine doubles and seven home runs. He won his third career AL Player of the Month award. On September 11, he hit his fourth career grand slam. On September 19, he helped the Astros win their fifth division title in six seasons.

In 2022, Bregman hit .259 with 93 runs, 38 doubles, and 23 home runs. He led the AL with 10 sacrifice flies. He was also good at drawing walks and not striking out. He was a finalist for the 2022 Silver Slugger Award. On defense, he led AL third basemen in assists.

Bregman is among the Astros' all-time leaders in home runs and doubles. He is also among active players in on-base percentage.

In the 2022 ALDS, Bregman hit .333 with one home run. In the 2022 ALCS, he hit his 14th career postseason home run. This set a record for third basemen.

In Game 2 of the 2022 World Series, Bregman hit a home run. This gave him six career World Series home runs, a record for a third baseman. It also tied him with Babe Ruth for 15 career postseason home runs. The Astros won the World Series in six games. Bregman earned his second World Series ring.

2023 Season

On April 23, 2023, Bregman got his 500th career RBI. In June, he hit three grand slams. On June 3, he hit his fifth career grand slam. He also drew four walks in that game. On June 29, he hit his seventh career grand slam. This tied him for the most in Astros history.

In the 2023 season, Bregman hit .262 with 103 runs and 25 home runs. He had 98 RBIs and 92 walks. He was good at avoiding strikeouts. He is among the top-10 Astros career leaders in doubles, home runs, and RBIs.

2024 Season

Bregman got his 1,000th career hit on April 25, 2024. He became the 14th player to get that many hits for the Astros. He was named AL co-Player of the Week for the week ending August 11. He hit .444 with three home runs and six RBIs that week.

For the 2024 season, Bregman hit .260 with 26 home runs and 75 RBIs. He was good at avoiding strikeouts. On defense, he led AL third basemen in games played, assists, and putouts. After the season, Bregman became a free agent. He also won his first AL Gold Glove Award at third base.

Personal Life

In January 2020, Bregman got engaged to Reagan Howard. They got married in December of that year. They live in Houston all year. Their first child, a son, was born on August 1, 2022.

Alex has owned several dogs. In 2019, he and Reagan got a puppy named Hank. Growing up, he had dogs named Jeter (after Derek Jeter) and Koufax (after fellow Jewish baseball player Sandy Koufax).

Bregman practices his Spanish with his Astros teammates. He started learning Spanish in school in his hometown of Albuquerque.

See Also