Carlos Correa works to be an elite defensive third baseman

HOUSTON – Astros veteran Carlos Correa had played shortstop for so long, he didn’t devote much time to taking ground balls in the five previous off-seasons. This winter has been different, however, as the former Rawlings Gold Glove and Platinum Glove winner adjusts to third base. 

With his protege and fellow Gold Glove winner  Jeremy Peña  entrenched as the Astros’ shortstop, Correa has focused on his defense at third base. He took over the hot corner after the Astros re-acquired him from the Minnesota Twins at the trade deadline last year. 

Correa has taken grounders at third from either Astros manager Joe Espada, third base/infield coach Tony Perezchica or quality assurance coach Jason Bell twice a week at Daikin Park this off-season. He has also worked out twice a week at a baseball field near his home with the help of his younger brother Jean Carlos Correa. 

Taking pride in being an elite defender

“I’ve already taken more ground balls this off-season than the past five off-seasons combined,” he said. “It’s been a lot of hard work with Joe, with Perezchica and Jason Bell.

“So I’ve been coming here at least twice a week and then at the ballpark with my brother twice a week. … Winters in the past I was not taking many of those at shortstop (where) I played so long. But I’m taking a lot of pride in being an elite defender at third base also. We’ve been putting in a lot of work.”

More from Our Esquina

Carlos Correa gives back with Correa Family Foundation

Astros, Joe Espada make pitch for Autism Awareness

Astros defense improves with coach Tony Perezchica

The Astros acquired Correa after All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes went on the injured list. It’s still unclear if the Astros will trade Paredes, a young, two-time All-Star with plenty of trade value. For now, Espada said Paredes will get at-bats at third base and first base. Paredes will also work at second base this spring, Espada said.

Meanwhile, Correa, a three-time All-Star shortstop, will focus on improving defensively at third base. The 2015 American League Rookie of the Year earned his Gold Glove and Platinum Glove in 2021 in the last season of his first stint with the Astros. He was the Twins’ starting shortstop from 2022 until he was traded back to the Astros last July.

Big goals

“I would love to add that to the list,” Correa said of the Gold Glove at third. “Not only at shortstop but also at third base. I don’t know how many players have done that, but I’d like to become one of those.”

Correa hit .290 with six home runs and 21 RBIs over 51 games with the Astros last season. Defensively, he played 48 games at third base. He also started three games at shortstop and finished two others at short.

Correa posted a .974 fielding percentage at third. That’s was better than the league’s average of .964 at the position. He committed only three errors over 115 chances in 417 innings at third. Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia won the AL Gold Glove last year after posting a .980 fielding percentage with 12 total fielding runs above average (Rtot). Correa had 3 Rtot in his limited time at third. 

Equally important for the Astros, Correa is a respected leader. General manager Dana Brown and Espada are pleased to have Correa’s leadership in the clubhouse.

“The leadership and the ability on the field is one of main reasons why we acquired him,” Brown said of Correa. “We’re looking for some big things from Carlos.”