2. Carlos Correa
Sep 12, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the sixth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
A first-overall draft pick status is a difficult thing to live up to, but Houston Astros rookie Carlos Correa didn’t let those expectations slow him down at all in 2015. He took his first big league bow on June 8 and quickly became one of the major components of the Astros’ playoff-clinching season.
The young phenom finished the year with a .279/.345/.512 slash line, 22 home runs, 68 RBI and 14 stolen bases. At a position not known for power hitters, Correa’s homer total was the highest among all MLB shortstops. And he did it in only 99 games.
Correa’s 4.1 WAR is good for fourth among all shortstops and is the second highest among AL rookies. He seemed a shoe-in for AL ROY honors for a good chunk of the season, but the rapid rise of another young shortstop has complicated the matter.
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