Houston Astros: Three legitimate MVP candidates reside on the roster
By T.A. Mock
Carlos Correa, SS
You may or may not be surprised to find Carlos Correa on this list. Just a few years ago, Carlos Correa was the game’s top prospect with the entire world in front of him. After the Houston Astros surprised the baseball world by selected him first overall in the 2012 draft.
He quickly proved the team correct for placing this trust in him and climbed prospect rankings. Then, in 2015, he started in AA and worked his way through there in under 30 games before he was promoted to AAA. After 24 games there, he was given the promotion to the big leagues at the ripe age of 20 years old.
More from House of Houston
- Are you the 2021 FanSided Sports Fan of the Year?
- Houston Texans: 4 reasons Romeo Crennel is right coach right now
- Astros-Twins Wild Card Series: 5 things to know as MLB postseason begins
- Houston Texans: The Most Underrated Sports Drought Ever
- Houston Texans: J.J. Watt’s early case for NFL Hall of Fame
He played 99 games for the Houston Astros in 2015 and looked every bit the top prospect he was before his promotion. He hit for a decent average, launched over 20 home runs, drove in nearly 70 RBIs, and had a .857 OPS. His play earned him rookie of the year honors.
Following that, nearly everyone in baseball was projecting him to be a perennial MVP candidate and the next big young star in baseball. He had a pretty good follow up season in 2016, but in 54 more games he hit two fewer homers and struck out almost double the amount he did in 2015.
2017 was better, probably the best season he has had as a pro. He hit for a higher average, increased his power numbers, and had a phenomenal .941 OPS. He made his first All-Star game that season and picked up some stray MVP votes. Unfortunately, his play fell off of the wagon in 2018 due to a back injury and deviated septum that didn’t let him rest like he needed to.
However, Correa is back to 100% in Spring Training is getting ready to get his production back on track for the 2019 season. In spite of his up and down production, Correa has the potential to be an MVP candidate in any given season and 2019 should be no different.
Next. Top 30 players in Astros franchise history. dark
What do you think of these three Houston Astros? Do you believe any one of them could come away with the MVP at the end of this season? We certainly do! Let us know your thoughts below.