BOSTON — Have any plans this weekend? If so, we’d suggest cancelling them to watch a rare confluence of talent at Fenway Park.
The Houston Astros are in town for a four-game set that began Thursday. That means the opportunity to watch both Carlos Correa, Houston’s 21-year-old phenom who already is on his way to becoming the game’s best shortstop, and Xander Bogaerts, the Red Sox’s 23-year-old budding star who might have something to say about that.
Red Sox fans are well aware of Bogaerts’ potential. The Aruba native turned the corner both offensively and defensively in 2015, posting a .320/.355/.421 slash line and driving in 81 runs while becoming increasingly comfortable as an everyday shortstop. Bogaerts ranks fifth in all of baseball in 2016, his third full Major League Baseball season, with a .331 average and is excelling at hitting to all parts of the field.
Here’s his spray chart entering Friday, courtesy of FanGraphs:
“I give a lot of credit to my hitting coaches,” Bogaerts said Thursday night after he launched a two-run homer over the Green Monster, his third of the season. “I’ve worked with them extremely hard in (batting practice) and in cage work since last year, and I’m just trying to carry it over to this year. I’m just trying to stay focused, have a plan, and execute the plan.”
At 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, Bogaerts boasts a rare blend of power and athleticism seldom seen at the shortstop position. But if anyone at the position has a ceiling higher than Bogaerts, it’s Correa.
The Puerto Rico native burst onto the scene last season, posting a .279 average and tallying 108 hits to win American League Rookie of the Year honors. But Correa’s most tantalizing asset is his power: He led all MLB shortstops last season with 22 homers despite playing in just 99 games.
The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Correa has an even bigger frame than Bogaerts but is a very fluid fielder, blessed with a powerful arm and the range to make plays like this look routine:
[mlbvideo id=”683815383″ width=”640″ height=”360″ /]
Correa, the Astros’ first overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft, has seemingly unlimited potential. He already has clubbed five home runs this season, and while his .269 average for the scuffling Astros isn’t great, it’s only a matter of time before he and Houston’s talented young roster turn things around.
Correa and Bogaerts, along with the likes of 22-year-old Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor and 22-year-old Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager, lead an influx of talented young shortstops who are poised to take the mantle from Derek Jeter and dominate the position for years to come.
“We know there are a lot of young, talented shortstops out there,” Correa said Monday, via Cleveland.com, “and we feel like we can ride the wave and we can do great things for this sport.”
Two of those shortstops will be on the field together for three more games in the Astros’ only trip to Fenway this regular season, so do yourself a favor and get a first-hand glimpse at the position’s bright future.
Thumbnail photo via David Banks/USA TODAY Sports Images
