Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Carlos Correa

How Carlos Correa built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Carlos Correa is a Puerto Rican professional baseball shortstop currently playing for the Minnesota Twins in MLB. Drafted first overall by the Houston Astros in 2012, he previously played for them. Correa is recognized as a prominent player in Major League Baseball.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2002: Twins' Last Playoff Series Win Until 2023

In 2023, the Twins won their first playoff series since 2002. Correa was instrumental in the win.

2004: Twins' Last Playoff Win Until 2023

In 2023, the Twins won their first playoff game since 2004. Correa was instrumental in the win.

2010: Perfect Game BCS Finals and WWBA PG Underclassman World Championships

In 2010, Carlos Correa participated in the Perfect Game BCS Finals and the WWBA PG Underclassman World Championships.

2011: Perfect Game and Showcase Appearances

In 2011, Carlos Correa appeared at the PG BCS Under-18 Finals and East Coast Professional Showcase. His performance at the PG World and National Showcases elevated him to the top of his class, earning him a spot in the Aflac-PG All-American Game, where he was named Rawlings' Defensive Player of the Year. He also appeared in the PG WBAA World Championships.

June 4, 2012: Astros Select Correa as First Overall Pick

On June 4, 2012, the Houston Astros selected Carlos Correa as the first overall pick in the MLB draft, making him the highest-selected player from a Puerto Rican high school and the first Puerto Rican and Latin American-born player to be the first overall selection.

June 7, 2012: Signing with the Astros

On June 7, 2012, Carlos Correa signed with the Houston Astros for a $4.8 million signing bonus and was assigned to their extended spring training team in Kissimmee, Florida.

2012: MLB Draft

In 2012, Carlos Correa was selected first overall by the Houston Astros in the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft.

2012: Projected as a Top-Ten Pick

In 2012, despite being the youngest high-profile player, the 17-year-old Carlos Correa was projected as a top-ten pick in the Major League Baseball draft by Sports Illustrated and ESPN.

2013: Season with Quad City River Bandits

In 2013, Carlos Correa opened the season with the Quad City River Bandits of the Class A Midwest League.

2013: Minor League Season and Training Camp

In 2013, Carlos Correa played for the River Bandits, and after being prevented from playing in Puerto Rico, he began a training camp to improve his physique and speed.

2013: All-Star Futures Game Selection

In 2013, Carlos Correa was selected as the youngest player to play in the Midwest League All-Star Game and the first player in the history of the All-Star Futures Game to be selected by popular vote to complete the World Team. He entered the game as a defensive backup in the eighth inning.

January 14, 2014: Spring Training Invitation

On January 14, 2014, the Astros invited Carlos Correa to spring training as a non-roster player.

June 8, 2015: MLB Debut

On June 8, 2015, Carlos Correa was promoted to the major leagues by the Astros and debuted against the Chicago White Sox, recording an RBI single.

October 12, 2015: Postseason Home Run Record

On October 12, 2015, Carlos Correa became the youngest shortstop to hit a home run in playoff competition and the second youngest player to record a postseason multi-homer game.

November 16, 2015: AL Rookie of the Year Award

On November 16, 2015, MLB and the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) recognized Carlos Correa as the AL Rookie of the Year.

2015: MLB Debut and Rookie of the Year

In 2015, Carlos Correa debuted in MLB with the Houston Astros and won the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year Award.

2015: Season Stats with Houston

In 2015, Carlos Correa had a batting average of .279, an on-base percentage of .345, and a slugging percentage of .512 with Houston, while playing 99 games at shortstop with a .967 fielding percentage.

2015: Promotion to Fresno Grizzlies

In 2015, after a strong performance with the Corpus Christi Hooks, Carlos Correa was promoted to the Fresno Grizzlies of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League on May 11.

2016: Season Stats

In 2016, Carlos Correa finished the season with a .274 batting average, 20 home runs, and 96 RBIs. He also had the most walk-off hits in MLB with four.

2016: Most Games Since 2016

In 2021, Carlos Correa appeared in 148 games, his most since 2016.

May 2017: AL Player of the Month

In May 2017, Carlos Correa was named the AL Player of the Month after batting .386 with seven home runs and 26 RBI in 26 games. He was later selected to play in his first MLB All-Star Game.

October 6, 2017: First Home Run of 2017 Postseason

On October 6, 2017, Carlos Correa hit his first home run of the 2017 postseason against the Boston Red Sox in Game 2 of the American League Division Series.

2017: World Baseball Classic

Carlos Correa played for Puerto Rico in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, batting .333 with three home runs and nine RBIs. He was named to the 2017 All-World Baseball Classic team.

2017: Regular Season Stats

In 2017, Carlos Correa batted .315/.391/.550 with 24 home runs and 84 RBIs during the regular season and had a .978 fielding percentage at shortstop.

2017: World Series and All-Star Selection

In 2017, Carlos Correa participated in the World Baseball Classic, won the AL Player of the Month Award for May, was named an MLB All-Star, and won the World Series with the Houston Astros.

2017: Hurricane Relief Efforts

In 2017, Carlos Correa was involved in charity work, including helping children in Houston after Hurricane Harvey and his hometown in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.

2018: Brother Drafted by the Astros

During his time with the Astros, Carlos Correa's younger brother, Jean Carlos Correa, was selected by the Astros in the 2018 MLB draft.

2018: 2018 Season Performance and Surgery

In 2018, Carlos Correa had a batting average of .239 with 15 home runs and 65 RBIs. He also led the AL in sacrifice flies and had a high fielding percentage at shortstop. Furthermore, he underwent surgery on November 10, 2018 to fix a deviated septum.

2019: 500th Hit, Injury, and 100th Home Run

In 2019, Carlos Correa got his 500th career hit on April 3. He was placed on the injured list on May 29 after a rib fracture. On August 15, 2019, Correa hit his 100th career home run, joining Cal Ripken Jr. and Alex Rodriguez as the only major league shortstops to reach that milestone before their 25th birthday.

March 2020: $500,000 Donation for COVID-19 Relief

In March 2020, Carlos Correa donated $500,000 in medical equipment to help the city of Houston during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: 2020 Season Statistics

In 2020, Carlos Correa had a batting average of .264 with five home runs and 25 RBIs. He also led AL shortstops with a fielding percentage of .995. Opposing defenses used infield shifts more frequently when he batted.

July 4, 2021: Named to MLB All-Star Game

On July 4, 2021, Carlos Correa was named a reserve to the MLB All-Star Game, marking his second career selection. At the time, he ranked fifth in the AL in OPS (.926).

November 3, 2021: Declared a Free Agent

On November 3, 2021, Carlos Correa was declared a free agent for the first time in his career. He rejected a qualifying offer from the Astros.

2021: Career Highs and Awards in 2021

In 2021, Carlos Correa set career highs in home runs and runs scored, batted .279/.366/.485, and led the AL in defensive runs saved. He was awarded his first Gold Glove and AL Platinum Glove Awards. The Houston chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) also named Correa the Astros' team Most Valuable Player.

2021: All-Star, Gold Glove, and Platinum Glove Awards

In 2021, Carlos Correa was named to his second All-Star Team and won the Gold Glove and Platinum Glove awards.

March 22, 2022: Signed with Minnesota Twins

On March 22, 2022, Carlos Correa signed a three-year contract with the Minnesota Twins for $105.3 million, including opt-out provisions. The average annual salary was the highest for an infielder at the time.

June 9, 2022: Consecutive Home Runs with Teammates

On June 9, 2022, Carlos Correa, along with Luis Arráez and Byron Buxton, hit consecutive home runs off Gerrit Cole in a game versus the New York Yankees.

November 2, 2022: Opted Out of Contract

On November 2, 2022, Carlos Correa opted out of the final two seasons of his contract with the Minnesota Twins and became a free agent.

2022: 2022 Season Statistics

In the 2022 season, Carlos Correa batted .291/.366/.467 with 22 home runs and 64 RBIs, and led the league with a .983 fielding percentage.

January 11, 2023: Re-signed with Twins

On January 11, 2023, Carlos Correa re-signed with the Minnesota Twins for six years and $200 million plus vesting options.

2023: Opted Out of 2023 World Baseball Classic

Carlos Correa opted to not play in the 2023 World Baseball Classic in anticipation of the birth of his second child.

2023: Postseason Run and ALDS Loss

During the 2023 postseason, Carlos Correa drove in the go-ahead run in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series. The Twins won their first playoff game since 2004 and first playoff series since 2002. They lost to the Houston Astros in the ALDS.

2023: 2023 Season Performance

In 2023, Carlos Correa batted .230/.312/.399, all career lows, and grounded into a league-leading 30 double plays.

2024: 2024 Season Statistics

Across 86 games in 2024, Carlos Correa batted .310/.388/.517 with 55 runs, 14 home runs, and 54 RBI.

2024: 2024 Season Performance and All-Star Selection

The first half of the 2024 season saw a return to form for Carlos Correa, as he hit to a .305 batting average with an .884 OPS through June, and was selected for his third All-Star Game. He was placed on the injury list on July 12, 2024 and returned to the Twins in mid-September after recovery.