Astros promote Correa from Triple-A

Carlos Correa helped Fresno walk off over Reno on Sunday. Then he shuffled out of the Minor Leagues altogether.

The Astros have summoned their top prospect to the big leagues. MLB.com's overall No. 2 will join Houston on Monday for the opener of a three-game series against the White Sox in Chicago.

"Carlos has performed extremely well at every level of our Minor League system," Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow told MLB.com. "We feel he has earned this promotion and look forward to him joining our ballclub. Since he is just 20 years old, we do not have unrealistic expectations of Carlos. However, his performance on the field and his maturity indicate that he is ready to contribute on the Major League level."

The Ponce, Puerto Rico native earned an overall grade of 70 on MLB.com's 20-to-80 scouting scale and earned grades of 70 for his hitting and arm tools. He finished his 24-game Triple-A stay on a roll, having gone 9-for-22 with hits in each of his last six games to raise his overall Pacific Coast League slash line to .276/.345/.449 after it dipped to .237/.306/.408 on May 30.

"I'm ready for that level," Correa told the Fresno Bee after his sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted the Grizzlies to a wild 15-14 win over visiting Reno. "I feel like I've been ready. But it's important to be patient. I'm ready to help the Astros win."

The top overall pick in the 2012 Draft has split time this season between Fresno and Double-A Corpus Christi. In 53 games over two levels, the shortstop batted .335 with 21 doubles, 10 homers, 44 RBIs and 44 runs scored. He also swiped 18 bases in 19 tries.

"We really feel like he can help our club right now win ballgames," Luhnow told the Houston Chronicle. "We've scuffled a little bit in these last few days, and we feel like Carlos gives us the best chance to win.

"There are no limitations as to what Carlos Correa could be with him being the age of 20 and with the tools and mind and the experience that he's already accumulated in the last three years. With the whole package, he has the chance to be extremely special. He could not only be a good Major League player, he could be a great Major League player for a long time."

Teammates were quick to offer their praise as well after learning the news.

"The guy works his tail off and I'm just so happy to see that all the hard work has paid off," said Class A Advanced Lancaster's Brett Phillips, a fellow 2012 draftee and roommates with Correa during their first professional season in the Gulf Coast League. "I hope he goes and tears it up. I know he's going to go tear it up."

Correa became the third member of the Astros' 2012 Draft class to reach the Major Leagues, along with pitcher Lance McCullers and outfielder Preston Tucker.

"We're putting in the work and also the coaching staffs and coordinators, it's a testament to them on how much work they've put in to making us better and getting us ready for the big league level," Phillips added after posting his own three-hit day Sunday. "You have Tucker, McCullers, now Correa, and I'm pretty sure there's going to be a lot more from this group of guys."

Correa's Triple-A teammate Matt Dominguez was likewise thrilled for the shortstop.

"Carlos has been great," he said. "He has a very, very bright future. He's a really great player and he's also a really great kid. It's been fun watching him."

When Correa debuts, he'll be the youngest Astros player to do so since pitcher Jordan Lyles did likewise at 20 in 2011. Meanwhile, the Astros look to uncover even more in Monday's First-Year Player Draft with the second and fifth overall picks.