Astros sign first-round pick Correa
Shortstop out of Puerto Rico Baseball Academy drafted as first overall selection in 2012 MLB Draft
HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Astros announced today the signing of shortstop Carlos Correa, who they selected with the first overall pick in the 2012 MLB First Year Player Draft. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. Astros Assistant General Manager/Director of Scouting Bobby Heck made the official announcement.
Following a press conference today, Correa suited up and took batting practice with the Major League club prior to tonight’s Astros game against the Cardinals. Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow, Bobby Heck and Area Scouts Larry Pardo and Joey Sola, who are given credit for the signing, joined Correa at the press conference.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have Carlos as a part of our organization,” said Luhnow. “This is a monumental day for us, for him and for the city of Houston.”
Correa, 17, played amateur baseball at the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy in Gurabo, P.R. The 6-foot-4 shortstop is the highest-drafted player ever out of Puerto Rico. That label was held by catcher Ramon Castro, who was picked 17th overall by Houston in 1994. Correa was named a Rawlings First Team All-American this season, in his final year at the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy.
“We believe that there is development left and that this player has an opportunity to be an impact player at the big league level,” said Luhnow. “There’ nothing like going through the minor league system and taking a certain number of reps. The sooner you start that, the better your chances are of making the big leagues in a timely manner and that’s our goal.”
Correa is the first shortstop taken first overall since 2008 (Tim Beckham-TB), and is just the fourth shortstop taken first overall since 1994. Other notable players who were selected as shortstops with the first overall pick were Shawon Dunston (1982-CHC), B.J. Surhoff (1985-MIL), Chipper Jones (1990-ATL), Alex Rodriguez (1993-SEA) and Justin Upton (2005-ARI).
ABOUT THE FIRST PICK
CARLOS CORREA
Position: Shortstop
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Height/Weight: 6-4/190
Age: 17
High School: Puerto Rico Baseball Academy, Gurabo, P.R.
Correa becomes the Astros’ second 2012 draft pick to sign since the draft concluded yesterday. Third-round right-handed pitcher Brady Rodgers signed last night.