Carpenter, a left-handed hitter and right-handed thrower, measures 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) tall and weighs 205 pounds (93 kg). Carpenter has played significant time at first base, second base, and third base since becoming a regular for the Cardinals in 2013. He also plays some outfield in an emergency situation.
His career batting average is.273 with one hundred and eight doubles, thirty-three home runs, and 107 stolen bases. Before joining the Cardinals, he spent two seasons with the Atlanta Braves, hitting.284 with twenty-five homers and eighty-nine RBIs in 175 games.
He was drafted by the Braves in 2008 out of Trinity Christian Academy in Athens, Georgia. He attended Clemson University for two years before turning pro.
Matt's father, Paul, was also a major league baseball player. He too was a third baseman and played from 1979 to 1990 for the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Dodgers. In between games, he worked as a scout for the Giants and Dodgers.
Paul Carpenter died in 2011 after suffering multiple strokes.
After graduating from high school, Matt decided to forgo college and begin his professional career instead. He made his debut on April 17, 2013, against the Miami Marlins and had two hits in that game.
Matthew Martin Lee Carpenter (born November 26, 1985) is an American Major League Baseball infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals (MLB). On June 4, 2011, he made his MLB debut with the Cardinals. He plays third base and bats left-handed.
Carpenter debuted in front of family and friends at Peoria Sports Complex. He went 0 for 4, but drew a walk and scored a run. His first major league hit was a double off of Josh Beckett of the Boston Red Sox on June 5, 2011. In his rookie season, he has appeared in 80 games (all but one as a starter) and has a batting average of.272 with 20 RBI's and 10 doubles.
He spent three seasons (2011-2013) playing for the Cardinals' Class A team in Palm Beach. In 2014, he started the season with the Cardinals before being traded to the San Diego Padres. The Cardinals received pitcher Jack Flaherty in return. Carpenter finished the season with the Padres, hitting.292 with 22 homers and 84 RBI's.
He returned to St. Louis in 2015 and began the year with the Cardinals before being sent down to make room for Daniel Descalso on April 17. He was recalled two days later when Tyler Greene was placed on the disabled list.
425 xwOBA. Because Carpenter is hitting the ball hard, he should be at second base while Tommy Edman plays right field. This keeps Carpenter in the lineup and gives him an opportunity to produce results.
Carpenter, a former All-Star at second base, arrived to camp trying to demonstrate that he still had what it takes to be a regular. Edman, on the other hand, possesses. With only four more at-bats, the 25-year-old switch hitter has nine more hits than Carpenter.
Carpenter is 1 for his last 10 and has struck out 11 times in his last 40 plate appearances. He's been removed from the leadoff spot where he made the most of his chances by hitting for power and batting.300 with men on base, and replaced by Daniel Murphy.
Murphy, however, is hitting just.250 this season with no home runs. Carpenter has been much better lately though, batting over.300 with two homers and eight RBI over his last ten games.
Switch-hitters are rare but not unheard of. The best known example in baseball history is Barry Larkin, who played first base and left field for the Cincinnati Reds from 1991 to 2005. Larkin won three Gold Gloves while with the Reds and was an All-Star seven times during his career.
There are currently only six switch-hitters in the major leagues, according to MLB.com. They are Matt Carpenter, Prince Fielder, Brian Dozier, Daniel Murphy, Joe Panik and Robinson Chirinos. Of those six, five play one or more of the outfield positions.
Matt Carpenter, third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals/Current clubs: Cardinals (from Kansas City).
Carpenter has played third base and first base during his career. He has more than enough ability to be a good hitter at either position. When he's been playing third base, he has a.275 average with 26 home runs and 901 RBIs in his career. When he's been playing first base, he has a.276 average with 28 homers and 892 RBIs.
In 2012, his first season with the Cardinals, Carpenter had a.304 average, 33 homers, and 97 RBIs. The next year, he had another strong campaign with a.303 average, 32 homers, and 98 RBIs.
Currently, the Cardinals have a regular third baseman in Daniel Descalso who is not expected to be moved, so Carpenter will probably remain there too. However, if something should happen to Descalso, then Carpenter would be my choice to replace him.
Carpenter was drafted by the Royals in 2008 after finishing up his college career at Indiana.
Matt Carpenter is the St. Louis Cardinals' third baseman. He has played all three outfield positions as well as third base. The Cardinals selected him with the pick they got from the San Diego Padres for Adam Wainwright.
Carpenter made his major league debut on April 17, 2011. He played in 20 games that season, hitting.275 with four home runs and 14 RBI's. In 2012, he started at third base and hit.282 with 12 HR's and 59 RBI's. In 2013, he moved to left field and had another great year batting.292 with 21 HR's and 85 RBI's. In 2014, he again moved to right field and had another good season batting.276 with 22 HR's and 83 RBI's.
He won the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 2013 when Paul Goldschmidt of the Arizona Diamondbacks finished second. Carpenter led the Cardinals with 123 hits, 39 HR's, and 99 RBI's. He was also named the NL Rookie of the Year Award winner after having a fantastic first full season in the majors.
Carpenter turned 26 in February.
Matt Carpenter agreed to terms with the St. Louis Cardinals on a two-year, $39,000,000 deal, with $39,000,000 guaranteed and an annual average salary of $19,500,000. Existing agreement
| Contract: | 2 yr(s) / $39,000,000 |
|---|---|
| Signing Bonus | – |
| Average Salary | $19,500,000 |
| Free Agent: | 2023 / UFA |
Copyright © 2020 - 2023 Sportsmanist Inc.
