MESA, Ariz. – New Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman emphasizes disciplined pitch selection and making contact early in the swing as crucial elements of his batting success. He credits these techniques for what he described as the best offensive stretch of his career last season until a quad injury disrupted his momentum in late May. These principles have become focal points in his guidance of center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, Bregman’s Cubs and Team USA teammate.
Collaboration Between Bregman and Crow-Armstrong on Key Hitting Skills
Bregman’s insight into maintaining a selective approach at the plate is central to his ongoing conversations with Crow-Armstrong, who acknowledges the value of refining his strike zone discipline. Bregman praised Crow-Armstrong’s overall potential, stating,
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I think the sky’s the limit for him,
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and adding,
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I feel like he can do anything on a baseball field: running the bases, defensively, offensively. And I feel like the more that he refines his game, he’s just going to continue to get better and better.
”
Bregman’s Leadership Role Within the Cubs Organization
Since joining the Cubs in the offseason, Bregman has bolstered his reputation not only as a skilled player but also as a leader invested in developing younger teammates. Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer highlighted Bregman’s dedication:
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It’s rare to have a player that invested in helping make young guys better,
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and explained,
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And you’ll see it in various ways, but it’s a wonderful quality that he has, and it’s something that people with the Astros talk about, and people the Red Sox talk about, and it’s something he’s earned.
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Young infielder Matt Shaw even spent time with Bregman at his Arizona facility during the offseason to improve his hitting.
Focused Mentorship Expected to Impact Crow-Armstrong’s Development
This spring, due to the World Baseball Classic schedule, Bregman is set to spend more time with Crow-Armstrong than with any other young position player, a prospect that excites both players. Crow-Armstrong reflected on Bregman’s enthusiasm:
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I’m really excited to spend some serious time with him,
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and continued,
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The guy is super enthusiastic about the intricacies of the game. And I’ve loved hearing him share his experiences in the past. And I think he’s going to make me, and the whole squad, just a whole lot better.
”
Preparation for the World Baseball Classic and Shared Experience
Bregman and Crow-Armstrong arrived early at Cubs camp, with Bregman briefly stepping away due to illness but returning quickly. Both players will join Team USA for the upcoming World Baseball Classic, marking Crow-Armstrong’s first participation and Bregman’s second. Bregman recalled his initial WBC experience in 2017 when he was the team’s youngest member during a championship win against Puerto Rico:
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I didn’t get to play that much [in 2017], but I got to experience it,
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he said,
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and I’ve been looking forward to this since then.
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Improving Pitch Selection as a Pathway to Offensive Growth
The coming weeks will allow for deeper discussions on hitting, especially on pitch selection, a critical area where Bregman excels. His 2023 chase rate placed him in the 95th percentile league-wide, contrasting with Crow-Armstrong’s recognition of his own free-swinging tendencies. Cubs manager Craig Counsell noted,
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It’s not the first time Pete’s talked about pitch selection,
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and added insight on its personal nature:
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But – kind of like pitch grips – how it clicks for you, and how you see it, and how it resonates, and how you process it, it’s different for everybody.
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Learning from Experience to Achieve Breakthrough Moments
Through ongoing dialogue with Bregman and other coaches, Crow-Armstrong is gaining new perspectives that could trigger key moments of clarity in his approach at the plate. Counsell emphasized Bregman’s effective methods:
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The way Alex approaches it, he’s been successful, and it’s been successful for other players as well,
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concluding,
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So of course, we’re all going to listen to that.
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Looking Ahead to Enhancements in Crow-Armstrong’s Performance
As Crow-Armstrong continues to work closely with Bregman, this mentorship is expected to accelerate his progress in controlling the strike zone and overall hitting ability. With their shared experience on Team USA and the Cubs’ support system, Crow-Armstrong has a promising path toward reaching his full offensive potential, making him a player to watch in the evolving 2024 season.
