When a player blasts off, its fun to watch. Its also kind of a bittersweet moment, when you see how much could have been made had you invested at the right time. Carlos Correa is doing Mike Trout things this year, much like Puig did a few years ago. Nothing in the hobby is as white hot as he is currently, and that is a very good thing. Before we crown him, lets take a walk down memory lane…

2013 Hobby ROY/MVP – Yasiel Puig

As hot as Correa is right now, Puig was just as hot in 2013. He hit a barrage of dingers, batted .319, and was all around awesome. Unlike Correa, however, Puig was known for being a bit unpredictable and immature, which led to some unfavorable situations with his manager. As a whole, he hasnt really replicated his success, as injuries and cold streaks have taken their toll. Still pretty valuable for a young guy with lots of years left.

Here is where his cards are right now:

2013 Bowman Chrome Yasiel Puig Auto RC BGS 10

2014 Topps Supreme Yasiel Puig / Mike Trout Dual Auto Patch Book

2013 Topps Chrome Yasiel Puig Topps Chrome Auto Gold Refractor PSA 10

2014 Hobby ROY/MVP – Jose Abreu

Another Cuban import, Abreu had a great 2014 season, slugging 34 HR and batting over .300 along the way. The issue is that the White Sox are terrible, and Abreu was lost in that mediocrity once the season came to a close. His cards were hot, but were relatively overshadowed once Kris Bryant’s stuff started to get into the mix. This was kind of an odd year, but Abreu was the hot guy through most of 2014.

Here is where Abreu is today:

2014 Bowman Chrome Jose Abreu Auto RC

2014 Topps Chrome Jose Abreu Auto RC BGS 10

2015 Triple Threads Jose Abreu Jumbo Bat Auto

2015 Hobby ROY/MVP runner up – Kris Bryant

I cant believe he isnt a no brainer here to be the winner in my mind, but I just dont see it. There is an argument to be made that Bryant is the guy, and to be honest, this is kind of 1 and 1a in a lot of ways. Bryant’s cards are and were hot all year long, even though he has been eclipsed by Correa as the year has gone on. Bryant playing for one of the most popular teams in the league helps a lot, and he still has a chance to hit 30 HR in an incomplete season. Pretty impressive to say the least.

Bryant remains on fire in the hobby, which is why I am hesitant in not naming him at the top spot:

2014 Bowman Chrome Kris Bryant Auto RC BGS 10

2015 Topps Finest Kris Bryant Gold Refractor Auto BGS 9.5

2013 Bowman Chrome Kris Bryant Auto XRC BGS 9.5

and, without further adieu….

2015 Hobby ROY/MVP – Carlos Correa

The Astros have had a miracle season after finishing with over 90 losses for each of the last 5 years. Correa has put up such impressive numbers at a tough position, making his value that much more worthy to a fickle collector base who loves seeing players rake at the plate. His 2 HR game over the weekend was a cherry on top of the sundae, as his values continue to be without a ceiling. Topps recently made him their poster boy for the foreseeable future, and rightfully so. Even his digital cards are doing well, selling for more than most of the other cards in the game.

Its worth talking about the potential future that Correa has, which is why I think he is worth the top spot for the year. Its clear he is at a position of need for the Astros and the hobby in general, and that makes him more of a commodity for me. He seems to be a well liked guy, who plays with the same fervor we dont see with guys like Puig or Harper. The bottom line is that everyone is too late in putting money into his top end stuff, and much like Trout, the ceiling can get higher, but not without a significant sum of money to throw in the pool. We have seen Trout become the face of the league in a matter of a few short years, and like Correa, seems to be a guy that is WORTH putting some money into.

All of that really doesnt speak to why I think he is the one player who shined the most during 2015 so far – especially over a guy like Bryant. Its one thing to start high and maintain value by doing enough to show people their money isnt going to waste. Its a completely different story to start where Correa did and end up finishing with values in the same league. That is where my decision was made. He is not even in the same conversation as Trout in 2011, but that might change eventually.

Being that Correa has only had just over half a year to show what he has, its possible he will cool off as pitchers continue to adjust to his weaknesses. Great players, like Trout will take advantage of these changes, and retool to become even better than before. Bryant and Correa will need to show they can come back and do it again next year, but both look to be very bright stars in the making, something that the hobby needs now more than ever.