Carlos Correa has the look of a special player. (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
HOUSTON — In the fifth inning on Saturday, Astros rookie shortstop Carlos Correa produced a sequence of exceptional plays that just might define what is shaping up to be a spectacularly memorable debut season.
Not only did Correa make all three outs defensively, each in dynamic fashion, he later bashed an opposite-field, two-run home run off Yankees right-hander Masahiro Tanaka to slice what had been a six-run deficit to 6-5. Correa, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 draft, has excelled since making his debut on June 8, but the fifth inning Saturday compressed his abundant talent into one tidy window for display.
“He’s a great-looking player when you watch him play the game,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “There doesn’t seem to be anything that he can’t do: He hits for average, he’s hit for power, he’s shown power the other way, his defense has been outstanding, his arm is very strong, he runs the bases.
“Sometimes you look at kids that are 20 years old and you say they’re not supposed to be this good this early, but obviously he’s a very good player.”
Correa, 20, was at it again on Sunday, recording two doubles while scoring twice in the Astros’ 3-1 win. With each highlight-reel play he confirms his status as one of baseball’s budding stars. His splendid defense and .314/.337/.593 slash line offer promise of greatness down the road.
“I’m glad he’s on our team and he’s really doing some special things that are either helping us stay in games or win games,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. “I appreciate his talent. Having been around this league, it’s a unique set of skills and tools and charisma.”
