Three Astros who are most likely to win the AL MVP

HOUSTON, TX - JUNE 29: Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros high fives with George Springer #4 and Josh Reddick #22 after the final out against the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park on June 29, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - JUNE 29: Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros high fives with George Springer #4 and Josh Reddick #22 after the final out against the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park on June 29, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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Correa’s Chance

HOUSTON, TX – JULY 02: Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros claps after hitting a two-run double in the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Minute Maid Park on July 2, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – JULY 02: Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros claps after hitting a two-run double in the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Minute Maid Park on July 2, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Carlos Correa entered the Astros organization in the midst of their massive rebuild. He was the first overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft and quickly progressed through the minor league system. But he has reached another level this season, just as the Astros organization has risen as well.

After batting .276 in his first two seasons, Correa has upped his game this season, batting .320 in the heart of the Astros’ order. He has also tapped into his immense power, leveraging his six-foot-four, 215-pound frame into 17 home runs and 58 RBIs. But he is not just mashing homers, as his .553 slugging percentage is over 100 points higher than his 2016 slugging percentage of .451.

For Correa to be a legitimate AL MVP candidate at the end of the season, he will need to maintain his play. He overcame a slow start to the season in which he slashed .233/.309/.349 in March/April by having an offensive explosion in May. Correa hit an astounding .386 in May, proving that when he is right, Correa can dominate offensively. He will need to have more months similar to May to outshine the rest of the AL MVP field, including another first-round selection.