Correa arrives early to join other top Astros prospects

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- As position players continue to trickle in to Astros camp, the club welcomed former No. 1 overall Draft pick Carlos Correa on Monday. Correa showed up two days ahead of the reporting date for position players and took batting practice with a large group of players.

"It feels great," Correa said. "It's a whole new experience for me, being out here with these kinds of players in big league camp. It's a really good experience for me, something unbelievable."

Correa joins fellow former No. 1 overall pick -- pitcher Mark Appel, who was taken with the top pick last year -- and top prospects, Jonathan Singleton, George Springer and Mike Foltynewicz in camp this year. It's the first Major League camp for Correa, Appel and Foltynewicz.

"They get an opportunity to participate in Major League Spring Training and get around Major League players that have experience, who have been productive at this level," manager Bo Porter said. "I actually think it can only speed up their learning curve to be around veteran guys who have done the job in which one day they aspire to do."

Among the other position players showing up at camp Monday were outfielder L.J. Hoes and designated hitter Chris Carter. The full squad works out for the first time on Thursday.