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 player, currently a shortstop and third baseman for the Houston Astros in MLB. He was drafted first overall by the Astros in 2012. Before returning to Houston, Correa also played for the Minnesota Twins. He is a prominent figure in Major League Baseball.

Sections (4)

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

1914: Records broken

On July 5, 2015, Carlos Correa became the first player since 1914 to record five games with a minimum of three hits and a home run in 25 plate appearances since his debut.

2002: Twins Win First Playoff Series

During the 2023 postseason, Carlos Correa drove in the go-ahead run during Game 2 of the Wild Card Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. This allowed the Twins to win their first playoff series since 2002.

2004: Twins Win First Playoff Game

2010: Participation in 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 Showcases and Aflac-PG All-American Game

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 promoted 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 closed the year with an appearance in the PG WBAA World Championships.

June 4, 2012: Selected first overall by the Astros

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

June 7, 2012: Signing with the Astros

On June 7, 2012, Carlos Correa signed with the Houston Astros, agreeing to a $4.8 million signing bonus.

2012: Projected as top-ten pick

In 2012, Carlos Correa was projected as a top-ten pick by Sports Illustrated and ESPN.

2012: MVP in the Víctor Pellot Excellence Tournament and PG record

In 2012, Carlos Correa was selected the MVP in the Víctor Pellot Excellence Tournament. At the 2012 PG World Showcase, he established a PG record with a 97-miles per hour throw across the infield. After graduating from the PRBAHS, Correa signed a letter of commitment with the University of Miami.

2012: Drafted by the Houston Astros

In 2012, the Houston Astros selected Carlos Correa first overall in the MLB draft.

2013: Professional Career

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

2013: Top prospect and All-Star selection

In 2013, Carlos Correa was ranked the top prospect in the Astros' farm system and became the youngest player selected to play in the 2013 Midwest League All-Star Game, where he represented the Western Division All-Stars. He also became the first player in the history of the All-Star Futures Game to be selected by popular vote to complete the World Team.

2013: First time two consecutive first overall draft picks played for the same minor league team

In July 2013, Mark Appel joined the River Bandits, marking the first time that two consecutive first overall draft picks played for the same minor league team. Correa batted .320/.405/.467 in 450 at bats for the 2013 season.

January 14, 2014: Invited to spring training

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 Houston Astros. He debuted in a 3-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox, recording a RBI single off of Chris Sale.

July 5, 2015: First player since 1914 to record five games with three hits and a home run

On July 5, 2015, Carlos Correa became the first player since 1914 to record five games with a minimum of three hits and a home run in 25 plate appearances since his debut.

October 12, 2015: Youngest shortstop to hit a home run in playoff competition

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

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

2015: Houston Season

During the 2015 season with Houston, Carlos Correa batted .279/.345/.512 in 387 at bats. He had the 7th-best Power-Speed # in the American League, at 17.1. Playing 99 games at shortstop, he had a fielding percentage of .967.

2015: MLB Debut and Rookie of the Year Award

In 2015, Carlos Correa made his MLB debut with the Houston Astros and subsequently won the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year Award.

2015: Assignment to Minor League Camp

In 2015, Carlos Correa was assigned to minor league camp in late March to prepare for an assignment with the Corpus Christi Hooks of the Class AA Texas League.

2016: Games Played

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

2016: Home run on Opening Day

Carlos Correa began the 2016 season by becoming the youngest player in the Astros' history to hit a home run on Opening Day. He ended the season with a .274 batting average, 20 home runs, and 96 RBIs in 577 at bats.

May 2017: AL Player of the Month

In May 2017, Carlos Correa was named the AL Player of the Month. He delivered a career-best five consecutive multiple-hit games from May 25–29, and totaled 14 such games on the month.

October 6, 2017: First Home Run of the 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: Regular Season Stats

For the 2017 regular season, Carlos Correa batted .315/.391/.550 in 422 at bats with 24 home runs and 84 RBIs. At shortstop, he had a .978 fielding percentage.

2017: World Series win and All-Star selection

In 2017, Carlos Correa appeared 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: World Baseball Classic Performance

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

2017: Hurricane Relief Efforts

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

2018: 2018 Season Performance and Surgery

In 2018, Carlos Correa batted .239 with 15 home runs and 65 RBIs. Defensively, he had a .984 fielding percentage at shortstop. Also in 2018, on November 10, he underwent surgery to fix a deviated septum.

2019: 500th Hit and 100th Home Run

In 2019, Carlos Correa experienced neck stiffness at the start of the season. On April 3, 2019, he achieved his 500th career hit. On August 15, 2019, he hit his 100th career home run.

March 2020: COVID-19 Pandemic Donation

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 Stats and Fielding

In 2020, Carlos Correa batted .264 with five home runs and 25 RBIs. He led AL shortstops with a fielding percentage of .995.

November 3, 2021: Declared Free Agent

On November 3, 2021, Carlos Correa became a free agent for the first time in his career after the Astros extended him a qualifying offer.

2021: 2021 Season Performance and Awards

In 2021, Carlos Correa had a strong season, batting .279 with 26 home runs and 92 RBIs. He also won his first Gold Glove and AL Platinum Glove Awards and was named the Astros' team MVP.

2021: Second All-Star Team, Gold Glove and Platinum Glove awards

In 2021, Carlos Correa was named to his second All-Star Team and won both 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, making him the highest-paid infielder at the time.

June 9, 2022: Consecutive Home Runs

On June 9, 2022, Carlos Correa, along with Luis Arráez and Byron Buxton, hit consecutive home runs off Gerrit Cole.

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 again.

2022: 2022 Season Performance

In the 2022 season, Carlos Correa batted .291 with 22 home runs and 64 RBIs and had a league-leading .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.

2023: Postseason Performance and ALDS Loss

During the 2023 postseason, Carlos Correa drove in the go-ahead run during Game 2 of the Wild Card Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Twins would go on to lose against the Houston Astros in the 2023 ALDS 3–1.

2023: 2023 Season Performance

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

2024: 2024 Season Performance

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

July 31, 2025: Traded Back to the Astros

On July 31, 2025, the Twins traded Carlos Correa back to the Astros in exchange for prospect Matt Mikulski. The Twins also agreed to send $33 million to the Astros to cover part of Correa's contract.

2025: Traded back to the Astros

During the 2025 season, the Minnesota Twins traded Carlos Correa back to the Houston Astros.

2025: 2025 Season Performance with the Twins

In 93 appearances for the Twins in 2025, Carlos Correa batted .267/.319/.386 with 40 runs, seven home runs, and 31 RBI.

May 5, 2026: Season-Ending Ankle Injury

On May 5, 2026, Carlos Correa suffered a significant injury to his left ankle, revealed to be a torn tendon that required surgery and ended his season.