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Houston Astros: Scouting Carlos Correa with Joey Sola (Interview)

By Eric Huysman |
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Houston Astros: Scouting Carlos Correa with Joey Sola

Jul 30, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) signs autographs for a fan prior to the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Who is Joey Sola?

Have you heard the name Joey Sola before? Many people probably would not be able to place the name. What if I told you that Sola is one of the talent scouts for the Houston Astros in Puerto Rico, would that give you a better clue? How about another clue, he was absolutely a scout during the 2012 season for the Astros. Putting together all the clues, you should be able to realize that Sola was one of the people to discover Carlos Correa for the 2012 MLB draft.

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When Correa made his debut on June 8, 2015, Sola made the trip to Houston to watch his player that he helped the Astros draft. He was able to spend some time with Correa during the time leading up to his major league debut, and he is boasting with pride for the budding superstar for the Houston Astros. He has since gone back to Puerto Rico looking out for the next big thing for the Astros.

I happened to stumble across his name somehow and I realized who he was. I did some research and verified that he and Larry Pardo were responsible for scouting and getting the Astros brass to target Correa with the first pick of the 2012 draft. Most draft experts at the time thought the Astros should go after Byron Buxton, a power hitting high school outfielder from Georgia. When the Astros selected Correa, most people wondered if the Astros messed up the pick.

However, Sola and Pardo were able to convince the Astros to pick Correa based on their scouting reports. I thought it would be awesome if I could interview Sola about his experiences during the process of scouting Correa. Sola agreed to do the interview, and I am happy to give it finally to you after sitting on it during the trade deadline.

Next: Joey Sola Interview on Scouting Carlos Correa

Joey Sola Interview on Scouting Carlos Correa

Jul 21, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) during the game against the Boston Red Sox at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

CTH: How long have you been scouting and how long with the Houston Astros?

Sola: I have been a scout now for 17 years, I started working for the Astros on 2004.

CTH: When was the first time you saw Carlos Correa and said this guy will be good?

Sola: When he was 16 I started to watch him and think to myself, ” This kid will be very special!”

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CTH: What was the skill that stood out with Correa in your point of view?

Sola: He was all around good player, but his matureness was off the charts. The way he handled everything on/off the field was also very good. He plays baseball like it is supposed to be played.

CTH: Was he being watched by other scouts and teams?

Sola: Definitely. Especially scouts from the San Diego Padres.

CTH: Not sure how involved you were with the overall number one selection in the 2012 draft, but what did you say to Jeff Luhnow to get him to select Correa over the higher ranked Byron Buxton?

Sola: Well, nothing to directly to Jeff, but mostly with the Scouting Director Elias. We had a lot of communication about Correa. (I will keep what was said in private)

CTH: Did you see the speed potential that Correa is demonstrating this season when you were scouting him?

Sola: Definitely, but being honest, he has developed his running ability faster than I thought possible.

CTH: Were both you and Larry Pardo present when the Carlos Correa signed with the Astros? What was that like to reel in a big fish?

Sola: Yes, we were present at his signing and knew his family well. It’s been the best experience that I have ever had.

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CTH: I’m assuming you were in town to see Correa play this last homestand, did you get to have a conversation with him, and what did you talk about? 

Sola: Yes, I was there. We were joking around, and I told him that if he needed to have some batting lessons, I could give it to him. lol. Also, I asked him why he couldn’t hit the ball to the train tracks? He said “with what Power?”

CTH: Do you see Correa sticking at shortstop throughout his career?

Sola: Definitely, people think that he will not, but I’m sure he will. His lower half isn’t that big, which is why I think he is athletic enough to stick around at shortstop.

CTH: Can you give us a few excerpts from your original Carlos Correa scouting report?

Sola: Everything is in these words, “I have never scouted and seen a player like this!”

Thank you, Joey Sola, for taking the time to answer these questions for CTH. If you would like to follow Sola, you can do it through @joeysola15 on Twitter. Good luck finding the next Astros mega prospect in Puerto Rico.

Next: Keeping up with the Houston Astros Carlos Correa (Interview)

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