The Houston Astros stunned Major League Baseball when they drafted shortstop Carlos Correa with the first overall pick in 2012. 

With MLB’s slot bonus system and signability playing such a big part in who teams take in the first round, Correa was the first name called on that June night in Secaucus, New Jersey. Three-and-a-half years later, Correa, a 21-year-old Puerto Rican shortstop who idolized Derek Jeter but has the body and tools of Alex Rodriguez, has developed into the franchise’s cornerstone player.

That position was solidified with his first significant major league award, possibly the first of many individual trophies he will acquire in his blossoming career.

Correa won the American League Rookie of the Year Award on Monday, announced by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Not only was he the best rookie in the league, but he was also arguably the best all-around shortstop in the majors, rookie or veteran.

“It’s hard to argue there’s a more deserving player given the impact Carlos had in every aspect of the game and also on our team,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch told reporters, per Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle. “To be able to hit third on a playoff-contending team and really showing zero signs of being a rookie, he’s earning every accolade.”

Correa, who received 17 first-place votes, hit .279/.345/.512 with an .857 OPS, 22 home runs and a 132 OPS+ in 432 plate appearances. Despite making his major league debut on Jun. 8, he led all American League rookies and major league shortstops in home runs and slugging percentage. Additionally, he led all shortstops in OPS, isolated power (.233), wOBA (.365) and wRC+ (133), according to Fangraphs.

He started batting third in the lineup on Jun. 29, his 21st game of his first season, and he stayed in that spot for the remainder of the year, including the playoffs, where he hit two more home runs in six games. He played most of the season as a 20-year-old, not turning 21 until Sep. 22.

Correa’s defensive numbers did not stand out, but he showed the athleticism and arm to eventually develop into a good defender at a premium position. And while the advanced metrics do not love his glove yet, he made his share of highlight-worthy plays.

Correa’s raw power jumped out most in his first season, and it was evident immediately once he got to Houston. He hit his first home run in his second game and ended up with five in his first 22 games to earn the league’s Player of the Month honor for June.

His 18 home runs before his 21st birthday were the second-most for a shortstop before that age, five behind Alex Rodriguez. And no shortstop in the last century hit more home runs in his first 100 games.

“This guy has a chance to be what Alex Rodriguez was 15 years ago,” MLB Network analyst Dan Plesac said on the award show.

The only other Astro to win the Rookie of the Year Award, Jeff Bagwell, was just as impressed with Correa. That became particularly true after Correa started hitting third in the lineup, a spot typically designated for the team’s most dangerous bat.

“Correa did a tremendous job this year and had a lot of weight on his shoulders hitting third in the lineup for a team that reached the playoffs, so I’m very proud of him,” Bagwell told Ortiz. “I saw him in spring training. The ball just sounded different coming off his bat.”

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor was Correa’s chief competition in this vote—Lindor received 13 first-place votes—and could end up being his rival to the game’s shortstop throne.

That Correa won was actually something of a surprise given the numbers, much like Correa’s selection as the first pick of the 2012 draft.

The Astros themselves were a surprise team by not only contending a year after losing 92 games, but also by earning one of the AL Wild Card berths and advancing to the AL Division Series. And there were a number of standout players who helped them accomplish the feats, including Cy Young Award finalist Dallas Keuchel.

But Correa is the face of this franchise now. He has the flash, he has the power and he has the smile and personality to endear himself to Houston fans for the next five years at least.

And if his progression continues along the trajectory it is currently on, he could easily put himself atop the shortstop totem pole and the game’s overall rankings.

 

All stats acquired from Baseball-Reference.com, unless otherwise specified. 

All quotes, unless otherwise specified, have been acquired firsthand by Anthony Witrado. Follow Anthony on Twitter @awitrado and talk baseball here.

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