WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- At this time last year, Dusty Baker admits, the Astros weren’t quite sure what they could expect out of Alex Bregman. It had been three years since Bregman’s monster 2019 season, which earned him a runner-up finish in American League Most Valuable Player Award voting. He hadn’t been fully healthy since, missing chunks of ‘20 and ‘21 to leg injuries.

This spring, things are different. Coming off the first winter in several years when he wasn’t rehabbing a lower-half injury, Bregman is fully healed from the broken left index finger he suffered in Game 6 of the 2022 World Series. He’s a new father. And he’s coming off a fully healthy season that he finished with a red-hot second half and a productive postseason.

“I feel great,” Bregman said Friday after making his spring debut in Houston’s 11-8 win over the Braves at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. “It’s great to play, great to be back out there. Felt awesome. I’m ready to get after it for another year, and I’m excited.”

Bregman, who will turn 29 on Opening Day, hit .259/.366/.454 with 23 homers, 93 runs and 93 RBIs in 155 games last year. It took his left index finger only three weeks to heal after the World Series. He returned to swinging right after that, training right through what was an otherwise short offseason. Now the stars may be aligned for Houston’s third baseman to return to MVP form.

“I think he’s going to have an outstanding year,” Baker said. “He’s just a ballplayer. I think that’s the ultimate compliment. A ballplayer can beat you in every kind of way and situation. Offensively, defensively, he’s smart. He’s way ahead of the game. Some guys, you hope they catch up. But he’s ahead of it.”

Said Bregman: “Workouts this offseason were great. We got a good routine down, got a great staff here that’s been helping me ramp up and get ready to go for the season. But overall, the offseason buildup was great. I’m ready to play.”

Bregman went hitless in two at bats in his spring debut, handling his only fielding chance in five innings without issue. Importantly, it was his first opportunity to get a feel for the new pitch timer. Bregman said he would spend the spring focusing on adjusting to the quicker pace of each at-bat.

“The swings felt good in the cage, but I couldn't really think today, running back in there trying to swing,” Bregman said. “It was fast, but it's out of my control, so you just have to learn to adapt. Everyone, our first few games, has been looking at the clock the whole time, not really paying attention to anything else. Just watching the clock trying to learn and adapt to it, because it’s definitely different.”

Asked how long he thought the adjustment would take, Bregman said, “Only a few times, maybe.” For him and the Astros, that’s fine. That’s what spring is for. If there is one thing the Astros aren’t worried about, it’s Bregman’s baseball IQ, competitive drive and ability to make adjustments.

Those have long been fabrics of Bregman’s skill set, part of the reason Astros hitting coach Alex Cintrón recently remarked to Baker about Bregman: “He could’ve played with us.” Cintrón and Baker played decades apart, but the implication was clear: Veterans of the game view Bregman’s work ethic, grit and hard-nosed style of play -- not to mention talent -- with respect and admiration.

In short, he’s a throwback. And he’s ready to get back to being Bregman.

“I would’ve liked that [to play with Bregman],” Baker said. “This guy is really consistent in his actions and personality. Very consistent.”