Every Major League Baseball free agent desires a strong start with their new team, but the stakes are particularly high when you’re earning $40 million annually. Alex Bregman joined the Red Sox as a much-needed right-handed hitter and locker room leader.

Previously, the two-time All-Star had been criticized for his tendency to start slowly at the plate before hitting his stride. However, to the delight of Red Sox fans, this hasn’t been the case in 2024. Following a three-hit game, including a homer, in the Red Sox’s series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday, Bregman boasts a slash line of .331/.401/.570.

His sixth home run ties him for 13th in the majors with 23 RBIs. Yet, the most remarkable statistic highlighting his debut is from J.P. Long, former Red Sox Director of Baseball Communications and Media Relations, noting that Bregman is only the second player in team history to achieve at least 40 hits, a .400 on-base percentage, and six home runs in his first 30 games.

The other player to achieve this was franchise legend Manny Ramirez in 2001. Naturally, the better Bregman performs, the more likely he is to opt out of the remaining years of his $120 million contract. Initially aiming for a $200 million deal last offseason, he chose Boston’s short-term offer due to its high average annual value.

For now, Bregman and the Red Sox are concentrating on heating up and challenging the New York Yankees for the top spot in the American League East. Should he maintain this level of play, Bregman is likely to appear in Atlanta for his third career All-Star Game this July.