Houston Astros look to Carlos Correa as an important future prospect - MLB News
Houston Astros’ top prospect Carlos Correa is back on the playing field, taking part in the Puerto Rican Winter League, representing the Carolina Gigantes. Houston Astros’ catcher Carlo Corporan is also playing for the Gigantes. The 18-year-old made the
start of his professional career in 2012 with the Gulf Coast League Astros.
Correa was the Number one draft pick on June 1, the fist Puerto Rican player to be drafted as such. He was signed three days after the draft for $ 4.2 million, an amount fairly lower than the Major League Baseball’s suggested $ 7.2 Million signing bonus.
He is MLB.com’s Number two prospect for the Astros.
Numerous Astros’ scouts had kept an eye on Carlos. During an extended spring camp, Jeff Luhnow, the Astros’ general manager, got the opportunity of having a look at the youngster and get to know him and his family. Luhnow was enthusiastic about him playing
in the Puerto Rican Winter League and was also planning on going to see the progress of the youngster.
"I'm excited for him," he said, "I'm hoping to get over there and spend a few days watching."
There have been talks of a possibility of the Puerto Rican shortstop playing next year in the big leagues. However, Jeff was in no mood of making any such predictions or rushing matters. He mentioned Delino DeShields Jr. as an example. The player had an
exceptional year with the Class A Lexington and was the team’s Minor League Player of the Year.
The club intends to play Correa through the ranks, in order to make sure that he develops into a solid performer. The club is in no rush to unduly accelerating the process which can cause the player and the team harm.
"I think one of the lessons we learned last year was where we put the prospects matters," Luhnow said. "Sometimes they aren't at the level they want to be at, but they're at the level that's right for their development at that time."
Correa started the season with the Gulf Coast League Astros. Playing in 39 games, the shortstop hit with a batting average of .232, nine RBI’s and two home-runs. He also managed five stolen bases. Correa had better returns with the Greenville team though,
the Appalachian League. In the 11 games that he played, he hit with a .371 batting average and had a more than satisfactory .450 on-base percentage. He went long once and stole a single base as well.
The early signs shown by this prospect for the Astros are quite encouraging and the franchise will do well to groom this raw talent into a refined player. It will be important that they do not expose him to the highest level too early though. Carlos Correa
can certainly be an important part of the Astros’ setup in the future.
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