The talk of baseball is the young crop of stars that are having a significant impact on the major league level. 22 year old Bryce Harper is in prime position to win his first MVP award, while 24 year old Mike Trout is poised to finish in the top two for the fourth consecutive year. Adding to the excitement, this year's rookie class is historically excellent. The NL Rookie of the Year race was as compelling as any before Kris Bryant's recent surge. Bryant has shown exceptional power and plate discipline despite his high strikeout rate. The same can be said about Joc Pederson, but a prolonged slump has relegated him to a bench role. Elsewhere, Matt Duffy has emerged as one of the Giants' best hitters this season and Noah Syndergaard is one of the best young pitchers in the game. In the American League, Miguel Sano is showcasing Giancarlo-like home runs on a daily basis. But one player has emerged as perhaps the most valuable rookie of them all, and will likely be one of the most valuable players in all of baseball for years to come.
In 2012, the abysmal Houston Astros drafted a 17 year old Puerto Rican shortstop #1 overall. For most fans, selections like these are forgotten almost immediately. High schoolers usually don't have an impact at the big league level for years, and it's difficult for fans to see the potential a player may have down the line; even the best scouts and talent evaluators can miss out on a future star when they are so young. Now, only three years later, 20 year old Carlos Correa is a must-see talent for fans and scouts alike.
Despite debuting in early June, and playing around half as many games as most starting position players, Carlos Correa has already accumulated the 4th highest WAR among shortstops. By most metrics, he is also already the best offensive shortstop in the game, ranking 1st in OPS, wRC+, and SLG%. The power he has shown so far is nothing short of remarkable; his 17 home runs place him 2nd among shortstops, tied with notable sluggers Troy Tulowitzki and Ian Desmond, and only two behind Brandon Crawford.
What makes Correa even more valuable is how well he does in other facets of the game. He's stolen 11 bases. He's hitting .281 and getting on base at a .346 rate. Although these numbers are good and rank highly among shortstops, his minor league track record suggests they will eventually get even better. In addition to his impressive skills as a hitter, Correa's terrific throwing arm, athleticism, and lengthy frame gives him the tools to be above average defensively as well.
Five-tool players are not very common, but at just 20 years old, Carlos Correa is showing signs that he is one of those rare talents. It's important not to overreact to small sample sizes but the more games he plays, the more he continues to impress. The scariest part is, he can get even better. Yes, it sounds like hyperbole, but Carlos Correa may already be the game's best shortstop, and he is quickly becoming one of baseball's most indispensable players.
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