Bregman's Bat Path Fix: Groundball Woes to End?

Alex Bregman is currently focused on a specific mechanical adjustment to improve his offensive performance. Despite a career-high hard-hit rate and strong plate discipline, his groundball rate has risen significantly above his career average, impacting his results. Bregman has identified this as the primary issue, stating, "Get the ball off the ground!" He is working with hitting coach Dustin Kelly to refine his bat path.

Kelly explains that Bregman's hands have been getting too far from his body, leading to an uphill swing and a deeper contact point. The goal is to achieve a more direct, straight path inside the ball, akin to throwing a jab rather than an uppercut. This adjustment aims to bring the contact point forward and reduce the rate of ground balls, a change that Bregman acknowledges feels unnatural but is committed to mastering through repetition.