Fansided

5 reasons the Houston Astros will win it all in 2015

By Josh Criswell

Jul 23, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros players celebrate a walk off victory over the Boston Red Sox after second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits a home run during the ninth inning at Minute Maid Park. The Astros defeated the Red Sox 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 23, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros players celebrate a walk off victory over the Boston Red Sox after second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits a home run during the ninth inning at Minute Maid Park. The Astros defeated the Red Sox 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 28, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) fields a Los Angeles Angels ground ball in the eighth inning at Minute Maid Park. Astros won 10-5. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 28, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) fields a Los Angeles Angels ground ball in the eighth inning at Minute Maid Park. Astros won 10-5. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Carlos Correa is playing like the best shortstop in baseball

When Carlos Correa made his MLB debut earlier this season it represented the culmination of the Astros’ long, controversial and successful rebuilding process.

Years of being baseball’s laughing stock netted Houston multiple top draft picks, but none were more hyped than the 6-foot-4, 17-year-old shortstop from Puerto Rico whom they selected first overall in 2012. During his rookie season, he has lived up to, and possibly surpassed, the hype.

Through 56 career games, Correa is hitting .282 with 14 home runs and nine stolen bases. Projected over the course of a 162-game season, he would be on pace to hit 41 home runs and steal 27 bases. At this point, the American League Rookie of the Year Award is Correa’s to lose.

His performance is not just the best among fellow rookies, either. There is a legitimate argument to be made that Correa is the best shortstop in the MLB, even despite his abbreviated season. He ranks fourth among all shortstops in home runs, with the three players ahead of him all having over 150 more at-bats on the season. He also ranks ninth in stolen bases and has the fourth best batting average among this group.

In addition to his offensive prowess, Correa has displayed his defensive talents at shortstop with a strong arm and an incredibly quick reaction time, proving himself to be a natural at the position.

In 2004, the Astros rode the shoulders of an elite five-tool player in Carlos Beltran to their first NLCS appearance since 1986. Houston’s World Series aspirations this season will hinge on someone emerging as a star, just as Beltran did over a decade ago.

Correa appears more than capable of fulfilling this role.

Next: The best one-two punch in the American League

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