NM ballplayer shows us all work ethic pays

Proving that it pays to wait for your pitch, Albuquerque Academy grad Alex Bregman didn’t sign to play professional baseball when he was drafted out of high school.

He went to college instead. And in addition to three years of on-the-field honors, and trying to lead his LSU Tigers to a national championship today, Bregman will join the Houston Astros organization as 2015’s No. 2 draft pick, with a $7 million-plus signing bonus.

Way to let it travel deep. Bregman is now the highest-drafted player from New Mexico.

He says he “dreamed about it since I was 5 years old. My dad (Albuquerque lawyer Sam) and I would play catch in the back yard, and my mom (Jackie) would throw me batting practice. I’ve been dreaming about this since then. It’s a dream come true. If you work hard enough, anything can happen.”

And by all accounts work hard is what Bregman has done.

His coach at the Academy, Josh Ayala, says Bregman has the greatest work ethic he’s ever seen.

LSU freshman outfielder Beau Jordan says “he’s a great leader in the locker room and on the field. I’m really glad for him because he’s prepared for this moment his whole life.”

That’s not hyperbole.

Jackie Bregman says her eldest son “had a baseball in his crib at the hospital when he was born.”

Twenty-one years, some smart decisions, family support and a lot of patience later, Bregman has hit it out of the park.

Congratulations.

— Albuquerque Journal