Astros shortstop Carlos Correa named 2015 American League Rookie of the Year

Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa was named 2015 American League Rookie of the Year by Major League Baseball last night. Correa earned 17 first place votes and 13 second place votes, narrowly finishing ahead of Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor who received 13 first place votes and 14 second plate tabs.

Minnesota Twins third baseman/DH Miguel Sano finished third in the voting, with Toronto Blue Jays reliever Roberto Osuna ranking fourth and Oakland Athletics outfielder Billy Burns ranking fifth.

Correa was drafted by the Astros in the first round in 2012, the first-overall pick that season, out of high school in Puerto Rico. He hit .279/.345/.512 this year with 22 homers, 40 walks, and 78 strikeouts in 387 major league at-bats after beginning the season in Double-A. He also stole 14 bases in 18 attempts while providing solid defense at shortstop, finishing with a Fangraphs WAR of 3.3.

In WAR terms Lindor actually finished ahead of Correa at 4.6, thanks to better defense as well as his own excellent .313/.353/.482 batting line. Still, Correa is a worthy selection and American League fans will enjoy watching these two outstanding shortstops for many years.