Astros: Comparing Carlos Correa’s Rookie Season with Jeff Bagwell’s

Second Similarity

Sep 12, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) stretches out to catch a ground ball against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Errors and defense

Bagwell was a third baseman in the Red Sox system and committed 34 errors at Double-A in 1990. When the Astros traded for him, they probably noticed the errors at third base and already had Ken Caminiti, so they moved him to first base. He had played one game at first base in the minors, so it was expected that he would have some growing pains. Bagwell had a .991 fielding percentage with 12 errors in 1991 in his first experience at first base. He later developed into a Gold Glove first baseman down the road.

Bagwell’s 1991 defensive WAR by Fangraphs: -8.1 WAR

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There had been whispers surrounding Correa since he has been drafted; he is too tall to play shortstop. He has worked really hard to prove people wrong and fight off a move to third base. He started off on fire with defense; I remember a time where A.J. Hinch said that there will be a time that Correa would make his first error, and it would be okay. He did make his first error during a game, and we still thought he was a good player. He finished with a .967 fielding percentage but had 13 errors in his rookie campaign. Most of his errors were based on overthrowing the ball trying to be aggressive.

Correa’s 2015 defensive WAR by Fangraphs: -1.6 WAR

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