Alex Bregman's signing bolsters the Chicago Cubs' pull-power offense, which transformed them into 2025 playoff contenders leading MLB in pulled airball rate. The three-time All-Star's profile—high pull rates on homers and extra-base hits—mirrors Cubs stars like Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker, filling potential gaps if Tucker leaves.
The Cubs' offense evolved dramatically from 2024 to 2025, boosting their pulled airball rate from 16.8% (22nd in MLB) to 21.8% (1st), powering a playoff run. Standouts like Crow-Armstrong (30.2%), Tucker (24.8%), and Seiya Suzuki (24.3%) exemplified this, all exceeding the MLB average of 18.2%.
Bregman fits seamlessly. Since 2016, he ranks ninth in pulled home runs (169), sixth in pulled extra-base hits (358 overall, 386 since debut with 187 HR), and ties for first in postseason pulled HR (18) with Jose Altuve. In 2025, his 24.4% pulled airball rate slots among Cubs leaders (e.g., Carson Kelly 23.9%, Michael Busch 22.2%, Ian Happ 21.0%). Career, ~80% of his HR and 70% of XBH are pulled.
As detailed in prior coverage of the five-year, $175 million deal, this adds right-handed balance alongside Suzuki, versus lefties like Crow-Armstrong and Busch. The Cubs jumped from 170 HR (tied-20th) in 2024 to 223 (6th) in 2025, with four of MLB's top five pull teams reaching playoffs. Projections: 20+ HR, 50+ XBH in 2026.
