Bregman stays coy on potential promotion

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Alex Bregman wasn't ready to break any news.

Amid multiple reports suggesting the Astros' top prospect will be promoted to Triple-A Fresno following Tuesday night's Texas League All-Star Game, all Bregman was willing to offer was a wry smile and this:

"I cannot confirm or deny," he said.

Bregman, drafted second last year, went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer in the first inning that sent the South Division to an 8-5 triumph over the North before 7,832 at Hammons Field.

Bregman has marched his way through the Astros system at a tempo that most Minor Leaguers could only dream of. He sped through both Class A levels last summer before starting this season with Double-A Corpus Christi.

After blasting four homers in 66 games last year, Bregman has 14 through 62 games with the Hooks. He credits a new approach at the plate for the surge in power.

"Anything middle to middle in to in, I'm trying to hit in the air," said Bregman, MLB.com's No. 18 overall prospect. "In college, I tried to stay on top of everything and hit ground balls and line drives. I think that's the biggest change."

Along with his improved power numbers, Bregman batted .297 with 46 RBIs while leading the Texas League in slugging percentage (.559), on-base percentage (.415), and runs scored (54). It's easy to see why Houston has him on the fast track to the big leagues.

"I think the hard work put in during this past offseason has paid off," Bregman said. "I'm just gonna continue to keep my head down and work, work, work and, hopefully, fulfill a dream this year."

One thing is certain: Bregman will play in a Major League stadium this summer. On Tuesday, it was announced that he and Fresno right-hander Joe Musgrove will represent the Astros on the U.S. Team at the All-Star Futures Game on July 10 in San Diego.

"To play in that game is a dream come true," Bregman said. "I can't wait to get out there. It's gonna be a blast."

The Futures Game actually won't be his first appearance at Petco Park. He played there in the Aflac All-American Game as a high school junior.

"I don't remember exactly how I did [in the game], but in the home run derby, I hit one [out]," Bregman said. "That's a pretty tough place to hit."

With Carlos Correa seemingly locked in as the Astros shortstop for the foreseeable future, the organization shifted Bregman, a shortstop by trade, to third base for part of this year.

"I'm very comfortable at third. I'm just as comfortable there as I am at shortstop," Bregman said. "I've had about 12-15 starts there, I feel great over there. I feel like I can contribute there and help out or wherever they put me. I can play short, second, outfield, it doesn't matter to me. I just feel very comfortable right now."

When he gets the call to Triple-A -- even though he may already have gotten it -- it's safe to say he'll be ready for the challenge.

"I feel 100 percent confident," Bregman said. "I'm going to go up there and stick to the same routine that I've had here and stick to the same game plan, try and be myself. I think that'll work."