The Blake Swihart and Alex Bregman connection
Beyond the Monster is an ongoing series where we take you back in time and look at moments in Red Sox history.
Blake Swihart and Alex Bregman are best friends and have been for about a decade. Swihart and Bregman worked out together in New Mexico. The two have played baseball and basketball together. Their days go back all the way to middle school with each other.
Bregman refers to their relationship as more brothers than friends.
In June of 2012, the Boston Red Sox selected Bregman in the 29th round of the MLB draft. Bregman, whose stock dropped that year leading into the draft due to a broken hand, fell to Boston. Despite being drafted by Boston, he never came close to becoming a member of the organization.
Former Red Sox Vice President of Scouting Amiel Sawdaye was scouting Swihart. While scouting Swihart, another player caught his eye; it was Bregman.
“Amiel came in and saw Swihart and saw me, and we worked out," Bregman said. "I think that's the day I kind of got on the Red Sox's radar."
In 2012, the Sox drafted Bregman in the 29th round. One problem, though, the future All-Star wasn’t going to sign. Instead, Bregman made it clear to Boston he would only sign with them if he were drafted with the 24th overall pick; he wanted to be drafted in the first round.
The Red Sox instead went with infielder Devin Marrero.
Marrero is no longer with the Sox; he was traded in 2018 to the Arizona Diamondbacks for pitcher Josh Taylor. Taylor is in Red Sox camp this spring trying to earn a spot on the 25-man roster.
Bregman went on to LSU, and Swihart began his career in the Red Sox system. The future World Series Champion Bregman paved his own path. He was drafted 2nd overall by the Houston Astros in 2015. He quickly excelled in the Astros system, becoming their now everyday third baseman.
Bregman, who has drawn comparisons to current Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia due to their size and the fact that both Pedroia and Bregman were drafted out of college as shortstops but have since moved to other positions in the big leagues.
Looking at Bregman play in an Astros uniform makes you think what could have been if he was here playing the hot corner for Boston.
Bregman and Xander Bogaerts on the left side of the diamond would have Sox fans drooling. The majority of Red Sox fans would rather see Rafael Devers on the hot corner instead of Bregman.
While both players have taken different paths to The Show, it would have been another great chapter to this story of best friends playing out their dreams.
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