\n","providerName":"Twitter","providerUrl":"https://twitter.com","thumbnail_url":null,"type":"oembed","width":550,"contentType":"rich"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"Forever linked, Swanson and Bregman -- friends, former teammates and college foes -- are now facing off against each other for a World Series championship with Bregman’s Astros meeting Swanson’s Braves in Game 1 of the Fall Classic on Tuesday at Minute Maid Park.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"• How the World Series teams were built","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"“He plays amazing defense at shortstop and he’s a good teammate,” Bregman said. “He wants to win and wants to compete.”","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2021-10-25T23:49:45.402Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-10/25/5d53584d-23a1aa81-96b5924c-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Dansby Swanson discusses Game 1 of the World Series, playing with Ozzie Albies for so long, the Braves working very hard to get here and more","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:01:06","slug":"dansby-swanson-on-game-1-of-ws","tags":[{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-144","title":"Atlanta Braves","team":{"__ref":"Team:144"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-621020","title":"Dansby Swanson","person":{"__ref":"Person:621020"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"interview","title":"interview","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"press-conference","title":"press conference","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"postseason","title":"postseason","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"world-series","title":"World Series","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"send-to-news-mlb-feed","title":"Send To News MLB feed","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/vhiu1yj9i0sdecyppc6w"},"title":"Swanson on the World Series","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/dansby-swanson-on-game-1-of-ws"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"Orioles general manager Mike Elias, who was the Astros’ scouting director in 2015, said the Astros had Bregman at No. 1 on their board heading into the Draft. The talk in scouting circles was that the D-backs were zeroing in on Swanson, meaning the Astros would get their top choice. It didn’t matter that Bregman played shortstop because they felt he could move to another position with ease.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"• Roundtable: Who's got World Series edge?","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"“Since the College Classic at Minute Maid Park \\[where LSU played in March 2015\\], we had some scouting personnel that were immediately infatuated with him,” Elias said. “Really, he was our guy from the middle of the spring \\[and\\] forward. We were a little higher on Alex Bregman than the publications. We like Dansby Swanson, but we did have Alex Bregman over him on our board.”","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"Bregman made the move to third base in the Minor Leagues and was playing alongside Correa a little more than a year later. The two have anchored one of baseball’s most accomplished infields of the last few years, along with second baseman Jose Altuve and first baseman Yuli Gurriel.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"• Braves-Astros position-by-position breakdown","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"Along the way, Bregman posted two top five AL Most Valuable Player finishes, won a Silver Slugger and is a two-time All-Star. He’s played 15 fewer career regular-season games than Swanson but has a higher OPS+ (138 to 89) and bWAR (26.1 to 9.1). Bregman was the first player from the 2015 Draft to make his debut -- 23 days before Swanson.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2016-07-26T00:10:00Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"http://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/mp4/2016/07/26/970287383/1469493799528/asset_1200K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Alex Bregman gets a standing ovation from the Astros' crowd before his first career Major League at-bat","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:29","slug":"bregman-s-standing-ovation-c970287383","tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-mlbtax-debut","title":"HBmig MLB debut","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-away-team-id-147","title":"HBmig away_team_id: 147","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-subject-mlbmobile-application-highlight","title":"HBmig MLBMOBILE_APPLICATION_HIGHLIGHT","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-combined-media-state-media-archive","title":"HBmig MEDIA_ARCHIVE","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-117","title":"Houston Astros","team":{"__ref":"Team:117"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-team-id-117","title":"HBmig 117","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-608324","title":"Alex Bregman","person":{"__ref":"Person:608324"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-subject-mlbcom-no-transcode","title":"HBmig MLBCOM_NO_TRANSCODE","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-home-team-id-117","title":"HBmig home_team_id: 117","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-mlbtax-vtp-transactions","title":"HBmig Penske","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-subject-mlbcom-top-play","title":"HBmig MLBCOM_TOP_PLAY","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-subject-mlbcom-realtime-highlight","title":"HBmig MLBCOM_REALTIME_HIGHLIGHT","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"cut-4","title":"Cut4","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/bacnracejpwycjtgqdgt"},"title":"Bregman's standing ovation","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/bregman-s-standing-ovation-c970287383"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":" \n\n“It’s definitely a unique thing just competing against each other in college,” Swanson said. “I feel like whenever we’ve competed against one another, it’s been at an extremely high level just in terms of the teams we were both on and the stages in which we were playing. It seems like the same story is true now in the World Series and playing against one another. Just grateful to be able to have the opportunity, obviously, and looking forward to taking advantage of this opportunity.”","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2016-08-17T23:10:00Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"http://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/mp4/2016/08/17/1062361583/1471478283119/asset_450K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Dansby Swanson receives a standing ovation from the home crowd prior to his first career at-bat as a Major Leaguer with the Braves","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:37","slug":"swanson-receives-ovation-c1062361583","tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-mlbtax-debut","title":"HBmig MLB debut","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-away-team-id-142","title":"HBmig away_team_id: 142","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-mmtax-2016","title":"HBmig 2016","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-home-team-id-144","title":"HBmig home_team_id: 144","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-subject-mlbmobile-application-highlight","title":"HBmig MLBMOBILE_APPLICATION_HIGHLIGHT","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-combined-media-state-media-archive","title":"HBmig MEDIA_ARCHIVE","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-mmtax-embeddable","title":"HBmig Blog embeddable","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-144","title":"Atlanta Braves","team":{"__ref":"Team:144"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-team-id-144","title":"HBmig 144","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-mlbtax-vtp-top-50","title":"HBmig MLB Top Prospects","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-621020","title":"Dansby Swanson","person":{"__ref":"Person:621020"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-mmtax-shareable","title":"HBmig FB shareable (internal)","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-mlbtax-vtp-transactions","title":"HBmig Penske","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-subject-mlbcom-top-play","title":"HBmig MLBCOM_TOP_PLAY","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-subject-mlbcom-realtime-highlight","title":"HBmig MLBCOM_REALTIME_HIGHLIGHT","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"cut-4","title":"Cut4","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/tiytswqvih1wlm11qwzj"},"title":"Swanson receives ovation","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/swanson-receives-ovation-c1062361583"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"Swanson spent only five months with Arizona before being traded to the Braves with Ender Inciarte and Aaron Blair for pitcher Shelby Miller. Swanson struggled his first couple of years before progressing into a solid shortstop on a Braves team that’s won four consecutive NL East titles. This year, he slashed .248/.311/.449 with 27 homers and 88 RBIs in 160 games in the regular season.\n\n“One thing I have a lot of admiration for him about is taking an extra base,” Bregman said. “I've seen it a lot since he's been in the big leagues. A ball that everyone thinks is a single, he turns into a double. He's a winning baseball player, and he won a national championship at Vanderbilt. He's a really good teammate playing with him, and he's a guy that you want on a winning team.”","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2021-10-21T04:00:04.604Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-10/20/b64845ca-0b504e31-4765516a-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Dansby Swanson sides into second safely, swiping the bag and advancing into scoring position on the top of the 9th inning ","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:02:30","slug":"dansby-swanson-steals-second-base","tags":[{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-144","title":"Atlanta Braves","team":{"__ref":"Team:144"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-621020","title":"Dansby Swanson","person":{"__ref":"Person:621020"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"nlcs","title":"NLCS","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"in-game-highlight","title":"in-game highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"postseason","title":"postseason","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/mkqy58gznr1g547acqqd"},"title":"Dansby Swanson steals second base","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/dansby-swanson-steals-second-base"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"It didn’t take Bregman long to understand being taken No. 2 overall by the Astros turned out quite well. He’s played in five consecutive AL Championship Series and will be appearing in his third World Series. His 12 career postseason homers are tied with Atlanta’s Joc Pederson for 10th most among active players.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2021-10-20T00:16:08.468Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-10/19/863bcc84-a7b42a32-83f4d04d-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Alex Bregman belts a solo homer to left field, putting the Astros on top 1-0 in the top of the 1st inning","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:29","slug":"alex-bregman-homers-1-on-a-fly-ball-to-left-field-19zxzz","tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"season-2021","title":"Season 2021","type":"season"},{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-608324","title":"Alex Bregman","person":{"__ref":"Person:608324"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-117","title":"Houston Astros","team":{"__ref":"Team:117"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"hitting","title":"hitting","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"in-game-highlight","title":"in-game highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"alcs","title":"ALCS","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"postseason","title":"postseason","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"send-to-news-mlb-feed","title":"Send To News MLB feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"imagen-feed","title":"Imagen feed","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/tygu58sz2sbkmwhdjfwf"},"title":"Alex Bregman's solo homer","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/alex-bregman-homers-1-on-a-fly-ball-to-left-field-19zxzz"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"He’s comfortable enough in his career achievements that being taken No. 2 overall doesn’t bother him much anymore, though his jersey number is always serving as a reminder.\n\n“More so than anything, he’s had an amazing career and I feel like we’ve done really well here, as well,” Bregman said. “It’s honestly really cool to be here.”","type":"text"}],"relativeSiteUrl":"/news/alex-bregman-dansby-swanson-2015-draft-world-series","contentType":"news","subHeadline":"Top two picks from 2015 face off in World Series","summary":"HOUSTON -- One of the reasons Astros third baseman Alex Bregman wears jersey No. 2 stems from where he was taken in the 2015 MLB Draft. Bregman, as you may have guessed, was selected second overall by the Astros, one spot behind Dansby Swanson, who was taken first overall by","tagline({\"formatString\":\"none\"})":null,"tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"storytype-article","title":"Article","type":"article"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-117","title":"Houston Astros","team":{"__ref":"Team:117"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-144","title":"Atlanta Braves","team":{"__ref":"Team:144"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"ContributorTag","slug":"brian-mctaggart","title":"Brian McTaggart","type":"contributor"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"world-series","title":"World Series","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-608324","title":"Alex Bregman","person":{"__ref":"Person:608324"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-621020","title":"Dansby Swanson","person":{"__ref":"Person:621020"},"type":"player"}],"type":"story","thumbnail":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/hn8fr574agibecqvjwpi","title":"Alex Bregman, Dansby Swanson connected by 2015 Draft, World Series"},"getHeaderFromForgePath({\"contentSource\":\"MLB\",\"headerPath\":\"/_navs/header/mlb/global-nav\",\"paletteKey\":\"mlb-base-palette\",\"propertiesKey\":\"mlb-global-properties\"})":{"__typename":"Header","navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"MLB.TV","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/tv?&affiliateId=mlbMENUtv","placement":"right","visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Buy MLB.TV Offseason Package","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games/subscribe?&affiliateId=mlbMENUtv","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Watch & Listen","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games?&affiliateID=mlbMENUtv","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB.TV Partners","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/partners?&affiliateId=mlbMENUtv","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Link Account","linkUrl":"live-stream-games/partners?&affiliateId=mlbMENUtv","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Help Center","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games/help-center?&affiliateID=mlbMENUtv","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"All-Star Tickets","linkUrl":"/all-star/tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1721167200;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB at Rickwood Field","linkUrl":"/events/rickwood/tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1718924400;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Spring Training","linkUrl":"/tickets/spring-training","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1711511940;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Postseason Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/postseason","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Buy on SeatGeek","linkUrl":"https://seatgeek.com/mlb-tickets?aid=15994&pid=integration&rid=1&utm_medium=partnership&utm_source=mlb_sponsorship&utm_campaign=integration","linkTarget":"_blank","visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Sell on SeatGeek","linkUrl":"https://seatgeek.com/sell/mlb-tickets?aid=15994&pid=integration&rid=15&utm_medium=partnership&utm_source=mlb_sponsorship&utm_campaign=integration","linkTarget":"_blank","visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Season Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/season-tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Single Game Tickets","linkUrl":"/schedule","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Group Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/group-tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Special Ticket Offers","linkUrl":"/tickets/fan-value","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"VIP Ticket Packages","linkUrl":"/tickets/on-location-experiences","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Students","linkUrl":"/tickets/students","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Tourism","linkUrl":"/tourism","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB World Tour","linkUrl":"/international/events","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Ticket Terms & Conditions","linkUrl":"/tickets/terms-and-conditions","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":"shopping-cart","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Shop","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/?_s=bm-mlbcom-hp","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Online Shop","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/?_s=bm-mlbcom-hp","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Auction","linkUrl":"https://auctions.mlb.com/iSynApp/showHomePage.action?sid=1101001&isynsharedsession=9mislq-18JnZhOEp-FeGzvUB3G6zxwkeKqwX99MKAttEdaSACl02r4aCDzYhNvUm","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Gift Cards","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/gift-cards/x-462351+z-94899005-3509039474?_s=bm-mlbcom-Home","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB NYC Flagship Store","linkUrl":"/shop/nyc-retail-store","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"European Shop","linkUrl":"http://www.mlbshopeurope.com/stores/mlb/en?portal=MLTS66FS&CMP=PSC-MLTS66FS","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Photo Store","linkUrl":"https://photostore.mlb.com/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"amp:true;mobile:true","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"News","linkUrl":"/news","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rule Changes","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/rule-changes-2023","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Probable Pitchers","linkUrl":"/probable-pitchers/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Starting Lineups","linkUrl":"/starting-lineups","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Transactions","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/transactions","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Injury Report","linkUrl":"/injury-report","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"World Baseball Classic","linkUrl":"/world-baseball-classic","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Draft","linkUrl":"/draft/2024","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"All-Star Game","linkUrl":"/all-star/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Life","linkUrl":"/fans/mlb-life","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Pipeline","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/pipeline","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Postseason History","linkUrl":"/postseason/history","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Great Stories","linkUrl":"/news/topic/longform","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Podcasts","linkUrl":"/fans/podcasts","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Watch","linkUrl":"/tv?&affiliateId=mlbMENU","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":"Video","navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Search","linkUrl":"/video","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Statcast","linkUrl":"/video/topic/statcast","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Network","linkUrl":"/network","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]},{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":"MLB.TV","navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Buy MLB.TV Postseason Package","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games/subscribe?&affiliateId=mlbMENU","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Watch & Listen","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games?&affiliateID=mlbMENU","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Help Center","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games/help-center?&affiliateID=mlbMENU","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"mobile:true;amp:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Scores","linkUrl":"/scores","placement":"mobile","visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"amp:true;mobile:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Schedule","linkUrl":"/postseason","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2023 Postseason Recap","linkUrl":"/postseason/history/2023","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2024 Regular Season","linkUrl":"/schedule/","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2024 Postseason","linkUrl":"/postseason","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2025 Spring Training","linkUrl":"/schedule/2025-02-20","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Events","linkUrl":"/events","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Team by Team Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule/team-by-team","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"National Broadcasts","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games/national-broadcast-schedule","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"mobile:true;amp:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Stats","linkUrl":"/stats","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Statcast Leaders","linkUrl":"https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_leaderboard","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Statcast","linkUrl":"/statcast","linkTarget":"","visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Baseball Savant","linkUrl":"https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Top Prospect Stats","linkUrl":"/prospects/stats/top-prospects?type=all&minPA=1","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"amp:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Standings","linkUrl":"/standings/wild-card","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Youth","linkUrl":"/youth-baseball-softball","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Play Ball","linkUrl":"/play-ball","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Youth Baseball & Softball","linkUrl":"/youth-baseball-softball","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"","icon":"group","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Players","linkUrl":"/players","placement":null,"visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Prospect Rankings","linkUrl":"/prospects","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Depth Charts","linkUrl":"/team/roster/depth-chart","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Players Association","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbplayers.com","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Negro Leagues","linkUrl":"/history/negro-leagues","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"MLB Play","linkUrl":"/play","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Beat the Streak","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=BeatTheStreak2022","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Immaculate Grid","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=ImmaculateGrid2024","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Trivia","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=SporcleTrivia2024","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pickle","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=Pickle2023","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"By the Numbers","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=ByTheNumbers2022","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Diamond Decisions","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=DiamondDecisions2024","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Bingo","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=Bingo2023","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"expires:1720022400;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Vote","linkUrl":"/all-star/ballot?affiliateId=asb-topnav-mlb-2024","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"amp:true;module:teammodule;align:right;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Teams","linkUrl":"/team","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Team Module","linkUrl":null,"linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"module:teammodule;"}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;lang:es;label:Español","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"ES","linkUrl":"/es","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"日本語","linkUrl":"http://www.mlb.jp/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"lang:ja"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"한국어","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbkor.com/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"lang:ko"}]}]}],"cfPalette":{"__typename":"CF_Palette","headerMastheadBackgroundColor":"#002D72","headerMastheadTextColor":"#ffffff","headerNavigationBackgroundColor":"#041E42","headerNavigationBorderColor":"#057AFF","headerNavigationTextColorHover":"#ffffff","headerNavigationTextColor":"#ffffff"},"cfWebProperties":{"__typename":"CF_WebProperties","urlLogo":null,"headerMastheadTagline":null,"headerPrimaryLogo":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":null,"description":null},"headerMastheadSponsorImage":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":null,"description":null},"headerMastheadTaglineContainerWidth":"512px","headerMastheadTaglineContainerHeight":"56px"}},"getTeamsBySportId({\"ids\":[1]})":[{"__ref":"Team:133"},{"__ref":"Team:134"},{"__ref":"Team:135"},{"__ref":"Team:136"},{"__ref":"Team:137"},{"__ref":"Team:138"},{"__ref":"Team:139"},{"__ref":"Team:140"},{"__ref":"Team:141"},{"__ref":"Team:142"},{"__ref":"Team:143"},{"__ref":"Team:144"},{"__ref":"Team:145"},{"__ref":"Team:146"},{"__ref":"Team:147"},{"__ref":"Team:158"},{"__ref":"Team:108"},{"__ref":"Team:109"},{"__ref":"Team:110"},{"__ref":"Team:111"},{"__ref":"Team:112"},{"__ref":"Team:113"},{"__ref":"Team:114"},{"__ref":"Team:115"},{"__ref":"Team:116"},{"__ref":"Team:117"},{"__ref":"Team:118"},{"__ref":"Team:119"},{"__ref":"Team:120"},{"__ref":"Team:121"}]},"Team:117":{"__typename":"Team","id":117,"division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"name":"Houston Astros","shortName":"Houston","teamName":"Astros"},"Person:608324":{"__typename":"Person","id":608324},"Team:144":{"__typename":"Team","id":144,"division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"name":"Atlanta Braves","shortName":"Atlanta","teamName":"Braves"},"Person:621020":{"__typename":"Person","id":621020},"Division:200":{"__typename":"Division","id":"200"},"Team:133":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":133,"name":"Athletics","shortName":"Athletics","teamName":"Athletics"},"Division:205":{"__typename":"Division","id":"205"},"Team:134":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":134,"name":"Pittsburgh Pirates","shortName":"Pittsburgh","teamName":"Pirates"},"Division:203":{"__typename":"Division","id":"203"},"Team:135":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":135,"name":"San Diego Padres","shortName":"San Diego","teamName":"Padres"},"Team:136":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":136,"name":"Seattle Mariners","shortName":"Seattle","teamName":"Mariners"},"Team:137":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":137,"name":"San Francisco Giants","shortName":"San Francisco","teamName":"Giants"},"Team:138":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":138,"name":"St. Louis Cardinals","shortName":"St. Louis","teamName":"Cardinals"},"Division:201":{"__typename":"Division","id":"201"},"Team:139":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":139,"name":"Tampa Bay Rays","shortName":"Tampa Bay","teamName":"Rays"},"Team:140":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":140,"name":"Texas Rangers","shortName":"Texas","teamName":"Rangers"},"Team:141":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":141,"name":"Toronto Blue Jays","shortName":"Toronto","teamName":"Blue Jays"},"Division:202":{"__typename":"Division","id":"202"},"Team:142":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":142,"name":"Minnesota Twins","shortName":"Minnesota","teamName":"Twins"},"Division:204":{"__typename":"Division","id":"204"},"Team:143":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":143,"name":"Philadelphia Phillies","shortName":"Philadelphia","teamName":"Phillies"},"Team:145":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":145,"name":"Chicago White Sox","shortName":"Chi White Sox","teamName":"White Sox"},"Team:146":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":146,"name":"Miami Marlins","shortName":"Miami","teamName":"Marlins"},"Team:147":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":147,"name":"New York Yankees","shortName":"NY Yankees","teamName":"Yankees"},"Team:158":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":158,"name":"Milwaukee Brewers","shortName":"Milwaukee","teamName":"Brewers"},"Team:108":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":108,"name":"Los Angeles Angels","shortName":"LA Angels","teamName":"Angels"},"Team:109":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":109,"name":"Arizona Diamondbacks","shortName":"Arizona","teamName":"D-backs"},"Team:110":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":110,"name":"Baltimore Orioles","shortName":"Baltimore","teamName":"Orioles"},"Team:111":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":111,"name":"Boston Red Sox","shortName":"Boston","teamName":"Red Sox"},"Team:112":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":112,"name":"Chicago Cubs","shortName":"Chi Cubs","teamName":"Cubs"},"Team:113":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":113,"name":"Cincinnati Reds","shortName":"Cincinnati","teamName":"Reds"},"Team:114":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":114,"name":"Cleveland Guardians","shortName":"Cleveland","teamName":"Guardians"},"Team:115":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":115,"name":"Colorado Rockies","shortName":"Colorado","teamName":"Rockies"},"Team:116":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":116,"name":"Detroit Tigers","shortName":"Detroit","teamName":"Tigers"},"Team:118":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":118,"name":"Kansas City Royals","shortName":"Kansas City","teamName":"Royals"},"Team:119":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":119,"name":"Los Angeles Dodgers","shortName":"LA Dodgers","teamName":"Dodgers"},"Team:120":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":120,"name":"Washington Nationals","shortName":"Washington","teamName":"Nationals"},"Team:121":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":121,"name":"New York Mets","shortName":"NY Mets","teamName":"Mets"}}}
window.adobeAnalytics = {"reportingSuiteId":"mlbglobal08,mlbcom08","linkInternalFilters":"mlb"}
window.globalState = {"tracking_title":"Major League Baseball","lang":"en"}
window.appId = ''
/*-->*/
HOUSTON -- One of the reasons Astros third baseman Alex Bregman wears jersey No. 2 stems from where he was taken in the 2015 MLB Draft. Bregman, as you may have guessed, was selected second overall by the Astros, one spot behind Dansby Swanson, who was taken first overall by the D-backs. And it didn’t sit too well with him at the time.
Bregman firmly believed he was the best player in the Draft, which wasn’t a slight on Swanson. The two had competed together for the previous three seasons in the SEC -- Bregman a shortstop with LSU, Swanson a shortstop with Vanderbilt -- and were even teammates on Team USA two summers earlier and later at the 2016 Futures Game. Swanson was considered the best player in the Draft by some teams and Bregman by others.
The Astros, who were awarded the No. 2 overall pick after not being able to sign No. 1 overall pick Brady Aiken in 2014, were thrilled to land Bregman, a shortstop they planned to move to third base because they had a young star at short named Carlos Correa. In fact, on the day Correa made his Major League debut in Chicago, the Astros took Bregman with their top pick.
“Hey Correa, they drafted your replacement,” Astros outfielder George Springer joked in the clubhouse before a game against the White Sox.
Dansby Swanson & Alex Bregman, the top 2 picks in the 2015 MLB Draft, will face off in this World Series
It will be the 1st World Series where the top 2 picks from the same draft face each other
(faced = each of the players play in at least 1 game of that WS)
Forever linked, Swanson and Bregman -- friends, former teammates and college foes -- are now facing off against each other for a World Series championship with Bregman’s Astros meeting Swanson’s Braves in Game 1 of the Fall Classic on Tuesday at Minute Maid Park.
“He plays amazing defense at shortstop and he’s a good teammate,” Bregman said. “He wants to win and wants to compete.”
Orioles general manager Mike Elias, who was the Astros’ scouting director in 2015, said the Astros had Bregman at No. 1 on their board heading into the Draft. The talk in scouting circles was that the D-backs were zeroing in on Swanson, meaning the Astros would get their top choice. It didn’t matter that Bregman played shortstop because they felt he could move to another position with ease.
“Since the College Classic at Minute Maid Park [where LSU played in March 2015], we had some scouting personnel that were immediately infatuated with him,” Elias said. “Really, he was our guy from the middle of the spring [and] forward. We were a little higher on Alex Bregman than the publications. We like Dansby Swanson, but we did have Alex Bregman over him on our board.”
Bregman made the move to third base in the Minor Leagues and was playing alongside Correa a little more than a year later. The two have anchored one of baseball’s most accomplished infields of the last few years, along with second baseman Jose Altuve and first baseman Yuli Gurriel.
Along the way, Bregman posted two top five AL Most Valuable Player finishes, won a Silver Slugger and is a two-time All-Star. He’s played 15 fewer career regular-season games than Swanson but has a higher OPS+ (138 to 89) and bWAR (26.1 to 9.1). Bregman was the first player from the 2015 Draft to make his debut -- 23 days before Swanson.
“It’s definitely a unique thing just competing against each other in college,” Swanson said. “I feel like whenever we’ve competed against one another, it’s been at an extremely high level just in terms of the teams we were both on and the stages in which we were playing. It seems like the same story is true now in the World Series and playing against one another. Just grateful to be able to have the opportunity, obviously, and looking forward to taking advantage of this opportunity.”
Swanson spent only five months with Arizona before being traded to the Braves with Ender Inciarte and Aaron Blair for pitcher Shelby Miller. Swanson struggled his first couple of years before progressing into a solid shortstop on a Braves team that’s won four consecutive NL East titles. This year, he slashed .248/.311/.449 with 27 homers and 88 RBIs in 160 games in the regular season.
“One thing I have a lot of admiration for him about is taking an extra base,” Bregman said. “I've seen it a lot since he's been in the big leagues. A ball that everyone thinks is a single, he turns into a double. He's a winning baseball player, and he won a national championship at Vanderbilt. He's a really good teammate playing with him, and he's a guy that you want on a winning team.”
It didn’t take Bregman long to understand being taken No. 2 overall by the Astros turned out quite well. He’s played in five consecutive AL Championship Series and will be appearing in his third World Series. His 12 career postseason homers are tied with Atlanta’s Joc Pederson for 10th most among active players.
He’s comfortable enough in his career achievements that being taken No. 2 overall doesn’t bother him much anymore, though his jersey number is always serving as a reminder.
“More so than anything, he’s had an amazing career and I feel like we’ve done really well here, as well,” Bregman said. “It’s honestly really cool to be here.”