Getting to Know Astros SS Carlos Correa

Before I spoke with Carlos Correa on my recent trip to Lancaster, I first talked to Lancaster Hitting Coach Darryl Robinson (aka D-Rob) about him. I laughingly asked D-Rob, "What can you tell me about Correa that hasn't already been said?" His response, "You know what I say about Correa? Wow! He's 19 years old. That's something that I have to keep reminding myself."

Carlos Correa - May 2014

Photo by Jayne Hansen

As did I. I had talked to Correa two years ago shortly after he was first drafted and he was impressive then. Now he is even more so. Watching this man-child go about his business is jaw-dropping when you remind yourself that he's only 19 years old. He is all business on the field, even in early work and during batting practice. When I asked Manager Rodney Linares if Correa ever let his hair down, the response was a quick "no." The one time I saw him crack a smile during all the pre-game work was when he rolled up his sleeves and joked about needing to even out his tan.

Correa with Hitting Coordinator Jeff Albert - May 2014

Photo by Jayne Hansen

The reason Correa is so serious and focused? According to Linares, it's because "He wants to be the best player that ever put on a uniform." And Linares asserts that Correa has the chance to be a superstar, "Not only because of his physical tools but the way he plays the game, the way he carries himself, the way he talks, what he shows you day in, day out and the conversations that you hear him have in the dugout. What I really like about him is his leadership. And that look, he's got the look that he wants to win. He will do whatever is in his power to win. Defensively, he's as good as I've seen. He moves well. He's got probably one of the most accurate arms, strong arms that I've seen playing short. He gets to balls that I don't think that any other human being can. He runs extremely well. He's really mature for his age, not only as a man but as a baseball player. He knows how to play the game. He's one of those guys you've only got to tell him once. Tell him once and he'll do it."

Robinson calls Correa a sponge, "He asks the best questions. He wants to know more and more and more. He's a student of the game at 19 years old. It's unreal. The way he carries himself, the way he goes about his business, his routine daily ... it's incredible to see a 19-year old be able to do that and carry it out every day. And that's why he's as good as he is. Because he works on it. He didn't just suddenly [become] a great baseball player. It didn't work like that. He worked on his craft and here he is. And he's only going to get better."

Robinson went on to say that Correa is not satisfied with where he is offensively yet, but Correa is still doing extremely well and that when it all clicks for him, he's going to be "unreal." Robinson adds, "Offensively, he hasn't shown as much as I'm sure he has, but defensively, oh my goodness. It's unreal. Some of the plays he's made ... I've never seen that play ever made and I've been around the game for a little while. He's a pleasure to watch."

I had arranged to speak with Correa outside the clubhouse. When he came out and saw that it would be a video interview, he quickly ducked back in to grab a cap because he wanted to look more professional.



I was glad that I was able to get a smile out of Correa with my final comment, but then it was back to work for him. I'll leave you with one final quote from Manager Rodney Linares, "He told me that when he was five years old, he told his Dad he was going to be the best player ever. He is holding himself accountable for that." In the words of D-Rob, "Wow!"