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MLB: 10 prospects ready to play in the big leagues

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Mar 8, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (76) at bat against the Detroit Tigers at a spring training baseball game at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (76) at bat against the Detroit Tigers at a spring training baseball game at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 5, 2014; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (84) dives for a ground ball during the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2014; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (84) dives for a ground ball during the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Carlos Correa. 1. player. 135. . Shortstop. Houston Astros

The biggest surprise of the first two months of the MLB season has been the emergence of the Houston Astros, who are 32-20 as of June 1, just one win behind the St. Louis Cardinals for the most in the Majors. After blowing up the Major League roster in 2010 and embarking on a colossal rebuilding effort that included three seasons of 106 losses or more and a 70-92 effort last year, the team is finally headed in the right direction in the American League West – possibly a year ahead of schedule.

Simply put, the future is now in Houston. And for that reason, it’s time to call up top prospect Carlos Correa.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft, Correa has been as impressive as expected across four professional seasons. Through 277 games to date, the 6-foot-4, 215-pound shortstop has compiled a .312/.390/.490 slash with 28 home runs, 195 RBI and 191 runs scored. His power is developing very nicely with ten of those home runs coming in just 48 games this year.

At the age of 20 this season, Correa scalded Double-A pitching to the tune of .385/.459/.726 with seven homers in 29 games and earned a quick promotion to Triple-A Fresno. He’s cooled off and is hitting .241/.307/.430 in 88 plate appearances, but has shown patience at the plate by drawing nine walks, has hit three home runs. Correa has also flashed some speed with three steals in four attempts for Fresno after swiping 15 bags for Corpus Christi.

Despite a recent sore heel and a fractured right leg that cost him a chunk of the 2014 season, Correa is ready for the big leagues.

He’s the No. 2 prospect in baseball according to MLB.com and entered the season fourth on Baseball America’s list behind only Bryant, Buxton and Russell. Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal called for his promotion two weeks ago and he gives Houston a better chance to stay atop the standings that either of the club’s current shortstops Marwin Gonzalez or Jonathan Villar.

Carlos Correa is a future star, and he should be the starting shortstop for the Houston Astros tomorrow and for the next decade, at least.

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