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Astros prospect Bregman gets call to majors year out of LSU

HOUSTON (AP) - It was just over a year ago that Alex Bregman finished his career at LSU. Now, he's a major leaguer.

Bregman made his big league debut for the Astros on Monday night against the New York Yankees after flying through the minors. He was drafted No. 2 overall in the 2015 draft and is considered one of the top prospects in baseball by many.

"It's been a fun last year," Bregman said before the game. "It's been everything I could ever dream of. It's just getting started now. I'm excited."

Bregman was drafted as a shortstop but has begun to make the transition to playing third base and even left field this season in the minors. He started at third base and batted sixth for the Astros on Monday.

The 22-year-old said he will play wherever the Astros want him, and manager A.J. Hinch said he may move Bregman around.

"We've tried to introduce him to a couple positions, part of it out of need," Hinch said. "He'll be introduced to left field up here, he will DH, he can spell some guys up the middle if I choose to, but he has to earn it."

Hinch was very complimentary of Bregman, calling him polished with a high baseball IQ and a quick bat.

Hinch wasn't alone in his compliments of Bregman.

"He's very humble, he knows how to play the game the right way and he knows what kind of player he is," said shortstop Carlos Correa, who was the No. 1 overall pick in 2012 and called up midseason in 2015. "He's going to contribute in a big way."

Bregman tore through the minors by hitting a combined .306 with 20 home runs and 61 RBIs between Double-A and Triple-A this season. He also played in the All-Star Futures Game, falling a triple shy of the cycle.

"Not many players get to the big leagues this quickly," general manager Jeff Luhnow said. "Occasionally, you see a pitcher do it, but for a position player, this is really unchartered territory. We want to be sure. We want to give him a chance to play a couple different positions. He's demonstrated he's as ready as he can be."

Houston Astros' Alex Bregman talks with the media before his major league debut in a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Monday, July 25, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith) The Associated Press
Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman practices before a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Monday, July 25, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith) The Associated Press
Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman, left, shares a laugh with relief pitcher Ken Giles before a baseball game, Monday, July 25, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith) The Associated Press
Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman, right, and shortstop Carlos Correa talk during batting practice before a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Monday, July 25, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith) The Associated Press
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