In mid-May, as he faced challenges, Alex Bregman of the Chicago Cubs reached out to his manager Craig Counsell. Bregman had been struggling at the plate, frequently missing pitches down the middle. He wanted to convey his thought process to Counsell.
Bregman explained, “When things don’t feel right, I tend to swing less. I need to correct my mechanics. Once I do, things will improve.” His mechanics felt disconnected from the season’s start, and he was determined to identify the issue.
Mechanically, it was really just disconnected and I knew it wasn’t right from Game 1 of the season. I had to figure out what it was.
The conversation with Counsell included a discussion on whether Bregman should be more aggressive early in the count. He felt his approach needed to focus on mechanics.
“It was clear and made sense. It’s how he was going to improve,” Counsell said. He didn’t specify when, but he knew how to approach it.
The results started showing in July. That month, Bregman achieved a .263 average and .825 OPS, his best of the season. From July 27 onward, he led the MLB in hits and RBIs and was among the top in slugging and home runs.
Bregman entered Tuesday with a .296 average and .972 OPS in August. “Earlier in the year was frustrating. It was important to understand the issue for my career’s future.” Bregman emphasized focusing on long-term success rather than quick fixes.
It was frustrating. But the way I looked at it was like, I’m going to figure out what’s going on, so I know for the next 10 years of my career.
He relies on internal cues for his swing mechanics instead of just observing the ball’s flight. This method has been consistent since his career’s early days.
Bregman shared, “I always think about mechanics in the box. It’s part of my process.” He remained dedicated to this routine, even during tough periods.
Counsell noted, “Alex was consistent in discussing his struggles. He knew he needed to correct his mechanics. He was relentless in working towards it.”
Counsell pointed out Bregman’s dedication as a professional, emphasizing his commitment to his craft despite the challenges faced.