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Correa hit a solo home run to left in the first inning and a two-run blast to right in the sixth, becoming the first shortstop in more than a century to collect 12 home runs by their 46th game in the majors.

For a historical perspective it’s important to note that eight home runs was the previous high by a shortstop through the first 46 games of a career. Hall of Famer Ernie Banks, Nomar Garciaparra, and Geoff Blum all had eight home runs through the first 46 games of their respective careers, tying for the previous high for a shortstop.

HOUSTON -- As Astros manager A.J. Hinch put it after Saturday's 9-2 win over the D-backs, it takes a man to go opposite field.

Carlos Correa is a man.

Correa continued his astronomical ascent up the baseball hierarchy, achieving the first multihomer game of his two-month old career, the second blast going to the opposite field into the right-field bleachers.

Because the opposite-field power is nothing new to Hinch, he was more impressed with Correa's first dinger, a sinking liner he snuck just inside the foul pole and into the left-field Crawford Boxes.

"To keep it fair was really impressive," Hinch said. "An offspeed pitch where he was sort of fooled and stayed through the ball, which showed some strength. And then the opposite-field home run, you've got to be a man to go oppo, and at 20, he's showing that pretty routinely."

His 12 homers in his first 46 games is an Astros record, surpassing George Springer's 10. Correa is only the ninth rookie since 2000 to have as many home runs in that span.

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"I never look at stats," Correa said. "I just look at a way where I can help my team win games and every single day I go out there to perform and help my team win games. That's the bottom line. I try to go out there to perform and to help my team win and do my best out there."

Talk to veterans in the clubhouse and they'll all say it's that maturity and grace coupled with the constant praising of other teammates that sets Correa apart from other rookies.

On his way to the ballpark before Monday's 6-3 win, Correa stopped off at Houston Christian School, where he surprised Astros fan Neil Kerrigan, and wished him a happy 18th birthday.

Correa first met Kerrigan a few weeks ago when he was at Minute Maid Park to watch batting practice, as part of his birthday celebration. Correa asked Kerrigan, who is suffering from a brain tumor, when his actual birthday is.

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Correa sensed Kerrigan didn't take his promise to remember his birthday too seriously, so he decided to take it a step further. Correa got a cake and delivered it to the high school, while Kerrigan and his friends were eating lunch.

Kerrigan had no idea Correa was planning to show up.

"When he saw me, he was like, 'What is going on?'" Correa said. "His family was really happy. His siblings were just telling me how much they appreciate the fact I was able to go there and bring him a cake and sing Happy Birthday. It was a pretty special moment, not only for him, but for me as well."

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For Correa, a rookie who has emerged as one of baseball's top young stars three years after he was selected No. 1 overall by the Astros in the Draft, taking a few minutes to reach out to a young fan facing enormous challenges is simply part of what it means to be a professional athlete.

It's a practice he plans to continue throughout his career.

"I came from nothing," Correa said. "I came from working my way to where I am. I know how it feels when there's someone you admire do those kinds of things for you. Every time I can put a smile on a kid's face it means a lot to me. That's what I will work for the rest of my career, to be a good player and a good citizen as well."

The Astros' Carlos Correa beat out fellow shortstop Francisco Lindor for the American League Rookie of the Year Award, presented by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Correa earned 17 first-place votes to Lindor's 13.

The youngest position player in the big leagues at age 20 for much of the season, Correa hit .279 with 22 home runs, 22 doubles, 68 RBIs, 14 stolen bases and a .857 OPS in only 99 games. Among AL rookies with at least 400 plate appearances, he ranked first in homers, slugging (.512) and OPS, while ranking second in RBIs and on-base percentage (.345) and third in batting average.

HOUSTON -- The Astros were dealt a major blow Tuesday when it was revealed All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa would be lost for six to eight weeks with a torn ligament in his left thumb. Correa will undergo surgery at a later date.

Correa left Monday's 9-7 loss to the Mariners in the fourth inning after injuring the thumb on a swing. He originally hurt the thumb sliding headfirst into the plate in Atlanta on July 4. Correa said the thumb continued to bother him into the following series in Toronto and through the All-Star Game, which he started for the American League.