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MLB 2017: One X-factor for each team

By Brad Berreman

September 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) runs after he hits a solo home run in the sixth inning against Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sport
September 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) runs after he hits a solo home run in the sixth inning against Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sport /
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Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Houston Astros: 3B Alex Bregman

After hitting .306/.406/.580 with 20 home runs and 61 RBI over 80 games between Double-A and Triple-A last season, Bregman was fast-tracked to the big leagues. He moved to third base with the Astros, with his natural shortstop position clearly occupied by Carlos Correa, and he predictably struggled with a 2-for-38 start at the plate over his first 10 big league games.

But Bregman slowly found his way offensively with the Astros, hitting .313 with a .931 OPS after his very slow start. Over 15 games in September (64 plate appearances), he had a  .323/.344/.629 slash-line with three home runs and 14 RBI. While that good finish can be taken with a grain of salt, Bregman is clearly a promising player who will have a regular spot in A.J. Hinch’s lineup this year.

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Bregman played 13 games at third base in the minors prior to being called up last year, and he is still has room to improve defensively at a position that’s still relatively new to him. But Bregman’s bat can keep him afloat while he gets it right at the hot corner. An Astros’ team that has the playoffs in mind will he hoping for notable offensive production in a first full major league season from the second overall pick in 2015.

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