In May, during a challenging period, Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman reached out to manager Craig Counsell. He wanted to discuss his approach to hitting while struggling at the plate. Bregman had been notably hesitant, often letting pitches go by that he would normally attack.
Bregman explained, “When my swing doesn’t feel right, I hesitate to swing. It’s about avoiding a swing-and-miss or weak contact. I need to feel mechanically correct first.” He identified a disconnection in his mechanics from the start of the season.
Their conversation revolved around whether Bregman should be more aggressive early in counts to improve his power numbers. Counsell found Bregman’s explanation clear and logical, establishing a path to improvement. “He knew how to fix it and followed that plan,” Counsell said.
The results became evident by July. Bregman recorded a .263 average and .825 OPS that month. From July 27 onward, Bregman has been exceptional, leading the MLB in multiple offensive categories.
Bregman’s resurgence saw him hitting .296 with a .370 on-base percentage by late August. Reflecting on his struggles, Bregman stated, “The start was frustrating because I knew this wasn’t just a hot stretch. It’s my true ability as a player. This phase is a learning moment for my career.”
He emphasized the importance of focusing on each at-bat individually rather than trying to recover his entire season performance with every swing. “You can’t try for a season grand slam in a single at-bat. It’s about long-term adjustments.”
Bregman, a big advocate for feeling his mechanics, mentioned that he relies on internal cues about his body movement rather than solely on ball flight. This philosophy guided him through his time in New Mexico, at LSU, and during his professional stints with the Astros and Red Sox.
Sharing his thought process, Bregman said, “I’ve always been a mechanical thinker in the box. Some might call it overthinking, but I focus on a single mechanical thought as I step up to bat.”
Throughout his struggles, Bregman remained committed to his process. Counsell and the Cubs recognized Bregman’s dedication to refining his mechanics and thus improving his offensive output.
“Alex was consistent in his discussions,” Counsell remarked. “His dedication to correcting his swing was remarkable. It’s a testament to his professionalism and work ethic, a process many wouldn’t endure.”