Even as Chicago reels through a brutal stretch that has fans frustrated with Alex Bregman’s on-field production, teammates describe a different kind of value from the Cubs’ $175 million infielder—one that shows up in daily prep, scouting feedback, and a relent
The Cubs came into Wednesday losers of 17 of their last 22 games. and frustration in the stands has been loud enough to reach the dugout. The offense has looked broken for stretches. and Bregman—Chicago’s $175 million man—has been among the names fans point to when they talk about what isn’t clicking.
In his first 60 games as a Cub, Alex Bregman hit five homers and drove in 19 runs. In a different kind of slump, power has been the missing ingredient, and his numbers are part of the reason the mood has turned.
Still, some of what Bregman brings to the Cubs isn’t measured in home runs. Relief pitcher Phil Maton described a behind-the-scenes routine that, in his view, helps both pitchers and position players.
“ He’s an outstanding resource, not only for our position players but also for our pitchers. Just an extremely high baseball IQ guy,” Maton told the Sun-Times on Wednesday. “I don’t know if anyone truly puts in more work off the field with scouting than he does. He’s coming in here giving me scouting reports for how to pitch guys.”.
Maton said the way it shows up is immediate and specific. “I’m like, ‘I don’t even know how you had time to do that. You’ve got to prepare to hit against 13 arms.’ And he’s over here like, ‘You need to do this to this guy if you face him.’”
If Bregman sees something that could help pitchers, Maton said, he shares it directly. “If he sees something that might help our pitchers, I think it’s great he’s telling guys, ‘This is what I see.’ It might make a big out in a game today.”
For frustrated fans, that kind of detail can only go so far. The Cubs’ offense has drawn harsh scrutiny during the stretch. and Bregman’s lack of power has been one of the concerns. Yet there have been sparks: during a final 18 games in May, Bregman hit .303 with a .361 on-base percentage. That run included an 11-game hit streak, offering a reminder that his bat can still get traction.
What hasn’t been in doubt, teammates say, is the way Bregman shows up day to day. Manager Craig Counsell described his approach as constant—regardless of results.
“He can’t wait for the next day to come, good or bad,” Counsell said. “That’s never going to change with Alex. That’s just who he is.“He’s mad when the game’s over. Even if he’s having a bad game, he’s upset the game’s over. He’d like to keep playing. That’s just who he is. That’s a great trait, and I think everybody feels it.”.
Maton, who played with Bregman for three years with the Astros—including a World Series win in 2021—said he’s seen the same traits before, but believes they’ve sharpened.
“Honestly, I think he’s grown a little bit more,” Maton said. “We had a really good clubhouse in Houston, we had a lot of guys. I don’t know if this is [what happened] when he went to Boston or when he came here, but he’s really grown into just becoming ‘the guy.’”
That word—“the guy”—matters in a way that goes beyond clubhouse culture. Bregman’s contract made him that kind of player for Chicago. The Cubs shelled out big free-agent bucks to bring him in, and the expectations that came with that decision have been immediate.
Maton said he expects the on-field production to follow what he’s already seen. “I know it’s going to turn for him, I don’t question that for a second.” He also framed his confidence through a different kind of perspective: trying to stop Bregman as an opponent.
The two have faced off only twice, most recently last season, with Maton getting Bregman to hit a ground out. In their first meeting, Bregman came through with a walk-off single in extra innings.
“Even when he’s not producing at the level he’d like to be at, he’s always a tough at-bat,” Maton said. “[Even] when he’s going through it, you have to go out there and beat him in the zone. And that’s something that creates a ton of value. It puts a ton of pressure on the other team.”
Maton added, “I’m glad he’s on our side and I don’t have to deal with him this year.”
That’s the tension around Bregman right now: the Cubs are getting daily intensity and scouting help that teammates say can change how games play out. But with Chicago in the middle of its harsh stretch. fans are still judging him by what happens in box scores. The Cubs hope the grind Maton describes starts turning into results on a more consistent basis.
For now, the message from inside the building is clear: no matter how the numbers have looked, Bregman is showing up as a resource. If the slump eases, the question for Chicago won’t be whether he brought value off the field—it will be whether the results finally catch up with the work.
Alex Bregman Cubs Phil Maton Craig Counsell MLB World Series champion scouting reports contract slump
175 million and only 5 homers? lol that’s rough.
So like he’s not hitting but he’s doing all this scouting stuff? I mean cool but fans paid to watch HRs. The article makes it sound like his presence is basically a coach.
I don’t buy it honestly. If he’s that high baseball IQ then his bat would show it. Sounds like PR talk to cover up the slump, same stuff teams always say.
The Cubs are 17 of 22 and everybody’s mad… but now they’re saying Bregman is helping pitchers with scouting reports?? I thought scouts were for like the front office, not the dude in the lineup. Also 13 arms?? that seems made up or I’m just not understanding baseball math.