Keeping up with the Houston Astros Carlos Correa

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Feb 26, 2015; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Houston Astros infielder Carlos Correa poses for a picture during photo day at Osceola County Stadium Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Astros prospect Carlos Correa has been the talk of Houston since Jed Lowrie‘s hand injury that will cause him to be out until after the All-Star break. Astros fans have discussed whether they should call up Correa or they leave him in the minors until after the super two deadline in June. The Astros have restarted their success at the major league level earlier than most people expected, as they sit alone in first place in the AL West. The Astros current weakness is at shortstop while Correa is tearing up AA hitting .370/ 7 HR’s/ 31 RBI/ 14 SB.

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Luhnow has come out recently and said that Correa will be promoted to Triple-A at some point in May. Astros owner Jim Crane has said that once Correa reaches Triple-A, all bets are off for him making his debut. This statement probably means once Correa gets his feet wet in Fresno, he will be up shortly after that. If the Astros want to win a championship this year, they need to add a player who has won a championship twice in the past two years. Correa has does so with Quad Cities and Lancaster. He also plays shortstop and was named the best prospect in fantasy baseball by MLB.com.

Whether it’s two weeks from now or two months from now, Correa will be up with the goal of helping the Astros win the World Series.

Jason wrote of a potential Correa timeline here.

Kennon writes a letter to Luhnow to promote Correa here.

Let’s get to know your future star shortstop.

Next: Part 1: Correa's Past

Part 1: Correa’s Past

Jun 18, 2013; Dayton, OH, USA; West shortstop Carlos Correa, left, and Byron Buxton, right, during the Midwest League-All Star Game at Fifth Third Field. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

CTH: What do you do in the offseason to get ready for the season?

Correa: During the offseason, I wake up early in the morning, go to the gym for three hours. Then I go to get something to eat and then work on my baseball skills to better myself. I’m regularly working for six hours a day in the offseason to improve my skill set. I start lifting again in October and start hitting in November until spring training.

CTH: What did it feel like to be the number one overall player drafted in 2012?

Correa: Great, it was good for me to see all my hard work that my family and I have put into learning baseball paid off. I was living the dream at that time. Was I surprised that I was drafted number one? Yes, but I knew my talent, and I knew the Astros had a good idea of what to expect from me in the future.

CTH: What inspired you to play baseball, and which player did you idolize as a kid?

Correa: When I was five-years-old, my dad wanted to take me to a baseball game to just have fun. We went to the game, and I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to play baseball too, like them. I started playing baseball at the age of six and enjoyed playing shortstop. My favorite player was Derek Jeter because of the way he played and carried himself as a baseball player and person. I model my play after Jeter’s game, and I hope I will be as good a player as him someday!

CTH: The past two seasons, you won the championship with Quad Cities and Lancaster. What made those two teams successful?

Correa: They were both special teams with great players trying to work hard to get better. The Astros did an excellent job of putting great talent on the teams, and we found a way to be successful with hard work. Those teams had great coaches who wanted their players to work harder to become better.

CTH: Which player have you played with or against that has really impressed you?

Correa: I have played against many prospects, but the two that really stands out is Byron Buxton that one year that he was doing well. The second player is Corey Seager, who I can see being a good shortstop like myself. It doesn’t matter who you play against, as long as you go out and compete, you can win against even the best players. We all play and compete.

CTH: Which coach has helped you the most in your development, and has it helped you getting the professional coaching at 18 and 19 years old?

Correa: All the coaches have had a big influence on my career so far, giving me the skills to succeed through their instructions. The base coaches have helped me learn how to steal bases, and the hitting coaches have helped me with my swing. Is there one particular coach that stands out? No, because they have all helped me become better.

Next: Part 2: Correa on Correa

Part 2: Correa on Correa

Mar 8, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (76) at a spring training baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

CTH: What is your biggest flaw as a baseball player? How have you addressed this flaw?

Correa: Flaws? I am always working on all my tools as a baseball player. Trying to get stronger, so I can drive the ball further. The biggest thing that I have worked on is stealing bases because people said I wouldn’t steal too many bases. I have tried to make myself better by learning how to steal, working on my jumps and running faster. I’ve also tried to become more explosive on offense and defense. I work on every part of my game because my goal is to become the greatest shortstop I can be.

CTH: Well it is working, you have been really stealing bases at a good pace with 14 stolen bases so far. The most impressive thing for me was your three stolen base game!

Correa: Thanks man.

CTH: I’m sure you have heard the Troy Tulowitzki comparisons for yourself. Is that a fair comparison?

Correa: He is a good comparison of the player that I would like to become, which is the greatest shortstop. Tulowitzki has been a great player for many years, and I’m trying to be the best Carlos Correa I can be. I’m always looking to improve.

CTH: Do you consider yourself a home run hitter (with seven of them) or a gap hitter?

Correa: It’s too early in my career to figure that out yet, the stats will decide that at the end of the season. I just shoot for the gaps while making solid contact, and if it goes out it goes out. My hitting is something I constantly look at improving, by getting faster and stronger, to become the best.

CTH: I know that most prospects don’t pay attention to the top prospects rankings, but how do you feel about being near the top? (By the way, today you were named the top fantasy baseball prospect in baseball by MLB.com.)

Correa: Players say that, but we are all competitors, and we want to be the best player. So we do pay attention to it because it motivates us to get better at our game. However, you have to live up to these expectations with your play in the minors, as well as when you get to the big leagues.

CTH: How would you describe your personality?

Correa: I am a very serious person when it comes to baseball, but I also like to have fun as well. I also like to be involved with the fans, and I get to games early enough that I can go sign autographs before the games. I like to create a relationship with the fans and make them excited to come to the games because it’s great to have the crowd’s support.

Next: Part 3: Correa's Future

Part 3: Correa’s Future

May 4, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) fields a ground ball during the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

CTH: Are you excited about the opportunity to play baseball next to Jose Altuve soon?

Correa: It would be a dream come true for me to play for the Astros and next to a batting champion like Altuve. He’s also a gold glove type of second baseman, which I can see turning many double plays with for many years. I play with an excellent second baseman right now in Tony Kemp, and I think we are near the top of double plays turned in Double-A. I can’t wait to win a championship for Houston with Jose Altuve at my side.

CTH: Some scouts have said that you are too tall to stick at shortstop, that you will move eventually to third base. How do you feel about that?

Correa: I started hearing that a year after I was drafted. I used this as a motivator to prove that I could stay at shortstop. I think that throughout my minor league career, I have demonstrated that I have the skill set to stay at shortstop in the MLB for a long time. But I just like to play baseball, so I will do what the Astros think is best for me.

CTH: Would you rather win the championship with the Hooks or make it to the Astros as a September call-up or earlier?

Correa: That is up to the Astros, wherever they want me I will play baseball to the best of my ability. If they keep me in Corpus Christi, I will try to win a championship with them. If the Astros want me in Fresno, I will try to win the championship there. If I am on the Astros this year, I will try to win the championship with them. I just want to play baseball, the where is not up to me.

CTH: Jeff Luhnow said earlier in the season that you could skip Triple-A if there were a need for you with the Astros. Do you think you would be able to skip Triple-A and not hinder your development?

Correa: I enjoy to play baseball whether it’s in Corpus Christi, Fresno or Houston. I don’t make the decisions, and I can’t play GM and decide where I want to be. I can’t put my GM cap on, I just play baseball. Right now, I’m playing at Double-A, and I’ll let the Astros decide what’s best for me.

CTH: Are there any changes to your game to prevent the injury you had last year?

Correa: That injury happened last year, and I have put it behind me. Injuries happen, and I’m going to keep playing hard, I’m moving on from injury. I have improved my stolen base stats, and I wouldn’t be able to do that if I were careful. I don’t want to be the player that just hits the ball, and moves station to station. I want to be aggressive on the bases and force the action. I want to focus on playing baseball and not focus on how to not get hurt.

CTH: Where do you see yourself in five years?

Correa: Winning a championship with your Houston Astros!

CTH: Thank you, Carlos, by the way you’re hitting down in Double-A, you look like a man around the boys. Speaking of which, are you the youngest player in Double-A?

Correa: Thanks, and I believe that there are three others around the same age or younger in Double-A, including Julio Urias.

Thanks Carlos Correa for taking time out of your schedule to do a phone interview with me. I hope we get to do it again after you make your Astros debut. Thank you Sadi Antonmattei for arranging the interview, and helping me get in contact with Correa. I will be getting in contact with you again Sadi when he makes his debut with the Astros!

The future is coming soon Astros fans, and if Carlos Correa has anything to do with it, it will be great!

Previous Keeping Up with the Astros Prospects

Part 1: Keeping up with the Prospects: Preston Tucker

Part 2: Keeping up with the Prospects: Lance McCullers

Part 3: Keeping up with the Prospects: Brady Rodgers

Here are links to my prior interviews:

Astros Prospect: Tony Kemp

Astros Prospect: Conrad Gregor

Astros Prospect: Brett Phillips (He wants to go by Maverick)

Astros Prospect: Preston Tucker

Dan Straily Interview

Astros Prospects: Joe Sclafani

Keeping up with the Houston Astros Carlos Correa

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