J.C. Correa looking to pave own path with Astros

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- After putting up impressive offensive numbers in his first season in professional baseball, infielder J.C. Correa -- more on that last name later -- was informed by the Astros he was going to have to learn a new position for 2022.

Correa was called into the office of High-A Asheville manager Nate Shaver in the final week of the 2021 regular season and told by Minor League fundamentals coordinator Jason Bell he would be making the transition to catcher. The Astros liked his bat and wanted to explore the chances of Correa sticking behind the plate.

Correa, 23, dug in immediately and worked at the position six days a week, four times a day to get ready for Spring Training. Along the way, he got tips and lessons from several people, including Astros catcher Martín Maldonado, Rangers catcher Jose Trevino and veteran Minor League catcher René Garcia, as well as his famous big brother -- star shortstop Carlos Correa.

The impression Correa made in the early days of Minor League camp have been good.

“I think for us it was just exploring that position to see how he takes it and kind of make more decisions as we go, but his bat has real potential,” Astros assistant general manager for player development Pete Putila said. “I think that given his hands and arms, we want to explore it and see how it looks and get a pretty good profile if he’s able to stick there.”

Correa doesn’t have the physical gifts of his older brother, the 6-foot-4 shortstop who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft.

J.C., who is four years younger, is listed at six feet, 220 pounds on the Astros’ Spring Training roster. He slashed .310/.368/.464 with nine homers and 57 RBIs in 101 games last year between Low-A Fayetteville and Asheville. The Astros signed him in 2020 as an undrafted free agent out of Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.

Correa said the hardest part of learning to be a catcher is blocking, but he’s been a quick learner.

“It’s challenging,” he said. “Catching is the hardest position out there, and I like it because you have to be locked in, especially knowing what’s going on in the game and who is hitting. For me, I think it will be a good challenge, especially when I have a good IQ and all that ... Even being behind the plate, that will help me a lot.”

The Astros, who have three or four catchers per Minor League affiliate, prefer their catching prospects be able to play other positions so they can get consistent at-bats -- top prospect Korey Lee has played some first and third base, C.J. Stubbs has played first base and left field, and Cesar Salazar has played first and second. Correa played all four spots on the infield last year and was primarily a shortstop, so the versatility is already there.

“People have doubted me and said I got signed because I’m Carlos’ brother and all that, but I have shown myself,” he said. “God gave me a talent and I’m showing it. I worked hard and I’m proud of myself and I know people around me are proud of me, too.”

Probably none more than his big brother Carlos. Having the Correa name on his back is nothing short of a “blessing,” J.C. said.

“I don’t feel any pressure,” he said. “People know me and Carlos have a really close and loving relationship. I’m proud of him. I saw how hard he worked. We work together all the time. Even this offseason, we worked out together and practiced together. It’s not pressure. He’s a great talent and I have my talent. I will do my thing and have fun.”