Top 25 MLB players under 25

19 of 25

Sep 26, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) hits an RBI single during the ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Carlos Correa

SS, Houston Astros

Birthday: September 22, 1994 (Age: 22)
Career Statistics: .276/.354/.475, 42 HR, 164 RBI, 128 R, 27 SB, 10.1 WAR
2016 Statistics: .274/.361/.451, 20 HR, 96 RBI, 76 R, 13 SB, 6.0 WAR
2015 AL Rookie of the Year Award

There were a few head scratches when the Houston Astros selected Carlos Correa No. 1 overall in the 2012 MLB first-year player draft. Byron Buxton had high upside and a full tool bag, catcher Mike Zunino was easily the top college hitter available, and pitcher Mark Appel, selected eighth overall by the Pirates but chose not to sign, was a candidate to go first as well (and did, to the ‘Stros, the following year).

However, Correa proved Houston right when he shot through the system and made a splash with a .279/.345/.512 slash, 22 home runs, 22 doubles, 68 RBI and 52 runs scored in just 99 games as a 20-year old in 2015. Though he didn’t arrive in the big leagues until June, Correa ran away with the Rookie of the Year Award.

Through two seasons, Correa has posted a 10.1 WAR, which is the highest of anyone to come out of the 2012 Draft by more than two wins. He’s not even considered a true power hitter, but only Zunino (50) has more career home runs among those drafted in 2012, and the Mariners backstop is four years older and has played nearly 100 more big league games.

Correa is also versatile. He plays solid defense at short, but started at third base often for Team Puerto Rico in the WBC. He also has good speed. In short, a great all-around player. The kind of player a team takes No. 1 overall and centers its rebuilding efforts on.

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