Carlos Correa (baseball)

Carlos Correa

Correa at spring training in 2015
Houston Astros – No. 76
Shortstop
Born: September 22, 1994
Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico
Bats: Right Throws: Right

Carlos Javier Correa, Jr. (born September 22, 1994) is a Puerto Rican baseball shortstop who was drafted first overall by the Houston Astros in the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft.[1] An honor roll graduate of the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy and High School, he is the highest-selected player to come directly from a Puerto Rican high school. Correa is also the third Latino to be the first overall selection in the MLB Draft, after Alex Rodriguez and Adrian González as well as the first Puerto Rican and Latin American-born player to do so.[2][3]

Early life and introduction to baseball

Correa was born in the municipality of Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico.[4] to Carlos, Sr. and Sandybel Oppenheimer. The family had a low income, but built a small house in Barrio Velázquez, a fishing village where he was raised. Since early in his life, Correa often played catch in an adjacent alley, which prompted a neighbor to suggest enrolling him in an infants' league, the parent-pitch category, when he was five years old.[4] Correa was assigned to play first base due to his hitting ability, while his father continued training him every day during their free time. In 1998, Hurricane Georges caused heavy damage to the family's house.[4] This forced his father to take several odd jobs, but he continued training Correa Jr. on a daily basis.

Three years after the hurricane, he was performing solidly in Santa Isabel's Playita Cortada American Baseball Congress affiliate, hitting up to 150 home runs.[4] When the team was eliminated, the league's champion, Rio Grande, recruited Correa to play in the championship series held in Atlanta. However, this move was difficult to the family due to the distance between Santa Isabel and the municipality of Rio Grande. His mother worked as well, but when this was not enough, she began selling food to complete the quote.[4] The citizens of Santa Isabel began helping them organize charity games and his original team donated their sales income to help cost the travel. Correa was Rio Grande's pitcher and was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player after striking out eight batters in a team comeback.[4] By the time that he was 11-years old, the family was traveling to the municipality of Caguas to have him practice in higher-level teams. Correa was also an honor student and received a scholarship to attend Raham Baptist Academy.[4]

Three years later, the family moved from Barrio Velázquez due to recurrent floods, but kept close ties with those that stayed behind. Now joined by his brother, Jean Carlos, in baseball practices the family once again was forced to add more odd jobs to their curriculum.[4] Soon after, the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy and High School (PRBAHS) brought Correa in as a scholarship student. His discipline and talent prompted his coaches to work extra hours to improve his bat and even helped by offering transportation when the family's car was totaled in an accident.[4] In 2010, Correa participated in the Perfect Game BCS Finals and the WWBA PG Underclassman World Championships.[5] After attending one of these Perfect Game events, Correa willingly made adjustments to his batting motion with his hitting coach, José Rivera. The following year he appeared at the 2011 PG BCS Under-18 Finals and East Coast Professional Showcase.[5] However, it was Correa's performance at the 2011 PG World and National Showcases that promoted him to the top of his class, earning him a spot in the Aflac-PG All-American Game, where he was named Rawlings' Defensive Player of the Year.[5] He closed the year with an appearance in the PG WBAA World Championships.[5] Correa opened 2012 by being selected the MVP in the Víctor Pellot Excellence Tournament, following an extraordinary performance for a shortstop that included a two-home run game. At the 2012 PG World Showcase, he established a PG record with a 97-miles per hour throw across the infield.[5] After graduating from the PRBAHS with a 4.00 average as the class valedictorian and scoring 1560 on the SAT, Correa signed a letter of commitment with the University of Miami.[4] Besides competing for the PRBAHS, Correa was also a member of Team Mizuno and the Puerto Rico National Baseball Team that participated in the youth Panamerican tournament.[4]

Professional career

Draft

Correa at the 2013 Futures Game

Despite being the youngest high-profile player to enter the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft, in the months leading to the event the 17-years old Correa was already projected as a Top-Ten pick by several major publications, including Sports Illustrated and ESPN.[6][7][8]

His stock rose during the final month with outstanding performances in team workouts, including one that reportedly left the Houston Astros's scouts "blown away".[9][10] On June 4, 2012, the Astros selected him as the first overall pick, outranking the projected top pick, Mark Appel. Correa was incredulous, only stating that he must have been dreaming, after entering the stage while hoisting the Flag of Puerto Rico.[3]

With this selection, Correa became the highest-selected player to be drafted directly from a Puerto Rican high school, besting Ramón Castro's 17th pick in 1994, while joining several other Top-10 Puerto Rican picks such as Francisco Lindor and Javier Báez, all of which had moved to the United States to complete their high school or college education after developing in the local youth leagues.[11] During the ceremony, he was congratulated by Puerto Rican great, Iván Rodríguez.[12] Upon returning to Puerto Rico the following day, Correa was greeted by a victory parade in his native Santa Isabel, which was attended by hundreds.[13]

Minor league baseball

Correa signed with the Astros on June 7, 2012, being presented in a press conference.[14] Correa choose to wear the number 12, donning it in homage to Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar.[15] The organization assigned him to their extended spring training team in Kissimee.[16] He began his professional career with the Gulf Coast Astros, and was promoted to Greeneville Astros of the Appalachian League. He opened the 2013 season with the Quad City River Bandits of the Class A Midwest League.[17]

Correa playing for Quad Cities in 2013

Correa was ranked the top prospect in the Astros' farm prior to the 2013 season and opened the year on a ten-game hitting streak that was halted by injury. Correa was selected the team's Player of the Month during this run and became the youngest player selected to play in the 2013 Midwest League All-Star Game, where he represented the Western Division All-Stars. Correa became the first player in the history of the All-Star Futures Game to be selected by popular vote to complete the World Team. He also became the first position player in the River Bandits' history to be selected in his first year with the team. The youngest player in the event, Correa entered the game as a defensive backup in the eight inning. Despite not having an official at-bat, his pre-game batting practice was scouted as impressive, including some home runs that reached the second deck of Citi Field.[18][19]

When Mark Appel joined the River Bandits in July, this marked the first time that two consecutive first overall draft picks played for the same minor league team.[20][21] After the team prevented him from playing for Gigantes de Carolina in Puerto Rico, Correa began a training camp to improve his physique and add speed, which lasted from October to February.[22]

On January 14, 2014, the Astros invited Correa to spring training as a non-roster player.[23] They assigned him to the Lancaster JetHawks of the Class A-Advanced California League to start the 2014 season.[24] On June 21, Correa fractured his right fibula, requiring surgery that ended his season. He batted .325 in 62 games for Lancaster.[25]

The Astros invited Correa to spring training in 2015, and assigned him to minor league camp in late March to prepare for an assignment with the Corpus Christi Hooks of the Class AA Texas League.[26][27]

References

  1. ↑ "Astros make Carlos Correa top pick". ESPN.com. June 4, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  2. ↑ Tony Menéndez (June 4, 2012). "Carlos Correa: Próxima Estrella de Puerto Rico?" (in Spanish). La Página de Tony Menéndez. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Astros escogen al boricua Carlos Correa en el primer turno del sorteo" (in Spanish). El Nuevo Día. June 4, 2012. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.10 Gabrielke Paese (June 2, 2012). "Carlos Correa Jr.: Special bonds". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 "Carlos Correa Baseball Profile". Perfect Game. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
  6. ↑ Richard Justice (June 4, 2012). "Correa too impressive for Astros to pass up". Major League Baseball. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  7. ↑ Keith Law (June 4, 2012). "MLB Mock draft 4.0". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  8. ↑ Dave Perkin (June 4, 2012). "Buxton, Zunino follow Appel in SI.com's 2012 MLB mock draft". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  9. ↑ Brian McTaggart (June 4, 2012). "Astros make Correa Draft's leading man". Major League Baseball. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
  10. ↑ Peter Gammons (June 5, 2012). "Astros take bold step for long-term gain". Major League Baseball. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
  11. ↑ "Histórica selección" (in Spanish). El Vocero. June 4, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  12. ↑ Spencer Fordin (June 5, 2012). "Baseball Academy helped Correa blossom". Major League Baseball. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
  13. ↑ Raisha Cruz (June 5, 2012). "Santa Isabel recibe a su "Pura Sangre"" (in Spanish). Noticel.com. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
  14. ↑ Brian McTaggart (June 7, 2012). "Astros announce signing of No. 1 pick Correa". Major League Baseball. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  15. ↑ Keith Law (June 7, 2012). "Houston Astros ink No. 1 draft pick Carlos Correa for $4.8 million". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  16. ↑ Mayra Beltran (June 12, 2012). "The No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2012 MLB draft began his first workout as a professional at the Astros' spring training complex Tuesday, June 12, in Kissimmee, Fla.". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  17. ↑ Marshall, Ashley (March 31, 2013). "2012 draftees to taste full-season ball | MiLB.com News | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Milb.com. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  18. ↑ Bernie Pleskoff (July 13, 2013). "Brightest talent stands out at Futures Game". Major League Baseball. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  19. ↑ Steve Batterson (July 23, 2013). "Correa turns heads in batting practice". Quad Cities Times. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  20. ↑ Marco LaNave (July 19, 2013). "Bullpen, offense boost Bandits over TinCaps, 6-3". Major League Baseball. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  21. ↑ Steve Batterson (July 10, 2013). "Top pick Appel to make history with Bandits". Quad City Times. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  22. ↑ Carlos Rosa Rosa (February 11, 2014). "Convertido en una máquina Carlos Correa" (in Spanish). El Nuevo Día. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  23. ↑ Brian McTaggart (January 29, 2014). "SS prospect Correa brings loads of potential to camp". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  24. ↑ Astros, Ultimate (April 2, 2014). "Mark Appel, Carlos Correa to start at Class A Lancaster - Ultimate Astros". Blog.chron.com. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  25. ↑ Wild, Danny (June 25, 2014). "Astros' Correa to miss remainder of season | MiLB.com News | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Milb.com. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  26. ↑ Maun, Tyler (March 29, 2015). "Astros send top prospect Correa to Minors: Shortstop expected to begin the season with Double-A Corpus Christi". MiLB.com. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  27. ↑ Maun, Tyler (April 7, 2015). "Texas League Preview: Top Houston Astros prospects Mark Appel, Carlos Correa ready to lead Corpus Christi Hooks Hooks". MiLB.com. Retrieved April 7, 2015.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Carlos Correa (baseball).