Former LSU shortstop Alex Bregman called up to Houston Astros

Will make Major League debut Monday in Houston

By JAMES MORAN
Tiger Rag Associate Editor

Alex Bregman officially got the call up to the Big Leagues Sunday, little more than 13 months to the date of his final collegiate at-bat.

The Houston Astros announced that they’d be adding second-overall pick in last season’s MLB Draft up to the Major League roster. He’ll make his professional debut Monday as the New York Yankees come into Houston for a three-game series.

Bregman, an All-American shortstop in his three seasons at LSU, has ascended through the minor league ladder at an incredible rate. Speculation of his impending call-up had reached a fever pitch since Bregman came up just a home run short of hitting for the cycle in the All-Star Futures Game.

Astros first baseman Marwin Gonzalez was hurt in the fifth inning of the club’s 13-3 win on Sunday. That could potentially open the door to Luis Valbuena moving across the diamond from third to first base, allowing Bregman to man the hot corner, a position he’s playing during his ascent through the minors.

Bregman played just 18 games for Triple-A Fresno, where he launched six home runs and hit .333.