ALVIN, Texas -- Mike Partida, an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Alvin Community College, just south of Houston, was scouting for players in Florida last summer when a talented second baseman from the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy caught his eye.
Partida liked what he saw -- the quick bat, terrific instincts, dirty uniform and hustle -- and thought the player would be a good fit. He was listed on the roster as Jean Carlos Correa Oppenheimer, so Partida didn't immediately know exactly who he was trying to recruit.
"A buddy of mine, Omar Rodriguez, who's the director of the Puerto Rican Baseball Academy, I asked him about the kid, and he said, 'Hey, Mike, do you know who that is?