'I'll do whatever it takes': Hooks' J.C. Correa creating own path to major leagues
J.C. Correa's path to becoming a professional baseball player hasn't always been easy.
Correa still remembers his father working multiple jobs so he and his family could have a better life.
In fact, Correa and his older brother Carlos Correa, who plays shortstop for the Minnesota Twins and played seven seasons with the Houston Astros, helped the family by working various jobs, including washing cars on the weekends.
Still, even through life's hardships, the 24-year-old from Ponce, Puerto Rico never took shortcuts and always made time for baseball.
"I still remember my dad working three jobs and even though he came home late, he still made time to take me and my brother to the baseball field," J.C. Correa said. "He took us to private schools to help us and he's been my role model and my mom as well. My parents did a great job and without them, I wouldn't be here."
J.C. Correa moved to the United States in 2016 after graduating from the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy and High School. He attended Alvin Community College where he hit .364 in 80 games went on to play at Lamar University and was drafted by the Astros in the 33rd round of the 2018 MLB Draft.
Correa shined in his junior season at Lamar by leading the team in batting average (.332), hits (74), doubles (14), home runs (10) and RBIs (44). And even though his senior season was cut short because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Correa was ready to showcase his talent at the next level.
"I feel like in college I put up great numbers," J.C. Correa said. "I thought I would get picked higher, but for me it was about the work ethic and getting the experience. When I finished my bachelors, I thought it was time to pursue my professional career."
Road to the majors
Correa's success carried into his first minor league season with the Low-A Fayetteville Woodpeckers and with the High-A Asheville Tourists by hitting .310 with 57 RBI and nine home runs during the 2021 season. Correa picked up where he left off in 2022 by hitting .309 with a career-best 64 RBI in 105 games.
Correa is currently in his first season Double-A season with the Hooks and is continuing to improve against pitching at the next level. Although he had a slow start at the plate, his dedication to the game is starting to pay off.
Correa has recorded hits in 14 of his last 19 games and is batting .329 during that stretch. Correa also went 11 for 19 during the Hooks' series against the San Antonio Missions earlier this month and is hitting .276 since May 5.
"I started this season slow, and I usually start slow," Correa said. "The pitching in this league is better so there had to be adjustments, but I've been working with our hitting coach and I'm putting in the work to get better. I'm putting the ball in play and I feel like the last month and a half I've been doing great."
Playing in Corpus Christi has also allowed Correa to showcase his ability to play multiple positions, including catcher, which he never played until last season.
Correa mainly played shortstop growing up and played second and third base in college. He also has experience playing in the outfield and has been inserted at designated hitter this season.
"I had never caught in my life, but I love this sport so much I will do anything to reach the big leagues," Correa said. "When they told me I was going to play catcher, I started looking for people that could help me be a good catcher to get ready. I worked with René García (Former Astros catcher) and Jose Trevino (New York Yankees). I try to find the right people to be ready."
"I'm J.C. Correa"
Correa began playing baseball when he was 4 years old and even though his older brother Carlos was already on his way to stardom, J.C. was determined to make name for himself and not because of his older brother's success.
J.C. is used to being approached by people and the first thing they usually mention is his brother Carlos.
J.C. Correa said as much as he loves his brother and looks up to him for advice, he wants people to start seeing him for who he is, especially as he gets closer to the major leagues.
"People will always ask me about being Carlos Correa's little brother, and I always give them the same answer: 'I'm J.C. Correa, he's Carlos Correa.' We have the same blood but we have different talent," Correa said. "I love him, but I want people to see me for who I am and not just Carlos Correa's little brother."
Correa's next goal is to earn a promotion but for now, he's focusing on helping the Hooks win games.
Correa said his dad continues to be an inspiration for him and still calls him after every game to see what he can improve on.
"My dad is my inspiration because he was the one who gave me a bat and threw me balls when I was younger," Correa said. "What happens next is out of my control, but I will keep working hard and doing whatever the team needs me to do. Whatever happens next is God's plan and I trust him."
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Hooks' J.C. Correa creating own path to major leagues
