1-1: Carlos Correa

So by now you know that the Astros did not select Mark Appel. Nor did they select Byron Buxton. Instead, the Astros selected 17-year old, 6'4" 190lb SS Carlos Correa, out of Puerto Rico Baseball Academy. The decision to pick Correa over Appel came down to the wire.

Though there are comparisons to Alex Rodriguez and Troy Tulowitzki, it's been remarked that he could move over to 3B should he outgrow the position (Cal Ripken, Jr was 6'4" 200lbs). But Correa says he's not going to be a 3B:
“There are some people saying that I will be a third baseman. I think I have the ability and I will work hard. I want to be at shortstop in the big leagues and i want to be one of the best.”

Jeff Luhnow:
"If things fall our way, we could have one of the best drafts in the history of the organization."

Perfect Game says:
“Unique” is not too strong a word when discussing Correa. His arm strength qualifies under that category without question. Not only did Correa set an all-time Perfect Game record at the World Showcase by throwing 97 mph across the infield, he did it with game footwork and game actions. He is guilty of depending on his arm strength too much during games on occasion, just as a young top prospect basketball player will frequently depend on his jumping ability over simpler means of scoring. But if you watch Correa carefully during infield and during relaxed moments on the field, you see that he has the flashy, quick hands and the ability to make plays on the run that are typical of top level shortstops.

Luhnow, on Correa's workout in Kissimmee during Spring Training:
“He was 3-4 years younger than most of the players on the field, and he was the only amateur and he absolutely stood out among the professionals that were down there."

Bobby Heck:
“When you get offense in the middle of the field, most of your championship clubs over time have been built that way. When you have an athlete of this caliber and this type of impact power, you just can’t pass on that. You don’t have a chance to get it with your next pick.”

The Associated Press:
Correa has an incredibly strong arm and terrific instincts defensively, and the Astros might have found a big-time bat for the middle of their lineup.

The Baltimore Sun:
His makeup also highly regarded; travels 90 minutes one-way each day to attend the baseball academy.

You can read this profile on Correa from June 1 by FoxSports, where we find that Correa idolizes HOFer Roberto Alomar.

The New York Times expects him to sign (of course):
Correa, who had a 4.0 grade-point average in high school that made him valedictorian, committed to play for the University of Miami next year but is planning to forego college and sign with the Astros.