Comments on: Matt Carpenter Belongs in Memphis

By: Phil

Phil — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:51:58 +0000

5 of 6 on fielding chances. Link

By: Gruntosaurus

Gruntosaurus — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 17:06:08 +0000

Any reads on how that went? That he strapped on a glove and stood in the appropriate part of the diamond does not imply that he’s a shortstop. How many fielding chances did he get? How did they go?

It wouldn’t be the worst thing to tee him up as a utility infielder in the Descalso/you-know-who mold, until it is clear whether his bat plays in the majors. If it does, he can always revert to being a third baseman.

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:37:49 +0000

Fair enough, Andrew. Thanks for the response.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 01:04:39 +0000

I’m more excited about what the FO and big league staff is saying about him more than his Spring Training stats. Solano had just as good a spring last year but didn’t have the raving from the Big League staff that Carpenter has.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 01:02:40 +0000

I’m saying he already has…..he’s a big boy and has already seemed to fill out. I stood next to him multiple times last week. He’s already put on weight and I wouldn’t call him gangly or projectionable anymore.

By: cariocacardinal

cariocacardinal — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 23:52:16 +0000

I disagree. Descalso is better defensively. His minor league stats suggest he is as good as of hitter and a much better hitter relative to the position he plays. What Carpenter has going for him is great plate discipline which may help him as he goes forward. People are getting way to excited over one month of Spring training. Time will tell.

By: Bob

Bob — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 23:40:17 +0000

I know I called Sam Tui a “longshot”, and I meant it. But. But he did lead all the GCL in walks at 17 years old, which is a terrific marker for hitting success.

Also, though he’s a tall guy, so were/are guys like Ripken, Jeter, Tulo, Concepcion, Marty Marion, and Brendan Ryan, all 6’2” to 6’4″ (Tui is listed at 6’3″). Now, maybe Sam is gonna put on a LOT of weight, but maybe he’ll *basically* stay the same gangly guy he is, with 10-15 lbs. of added muscle over the next 4 or 5 years.

Anyway, for what it’s worth, here is his month-to-month progress from 2010 (micro-sample caveats apply, of course):

June .396 OPS
July .529 OPS
Aug .714 OPS

Moreover, Sam’s BB/K in August was a stellar 15/16. Far too many whiffs, yes, but outstanding patience for a veryyoung hitter. Lastly, how ’bout the fact that half his August hits went for extra bases?!

Tuivailala may never advance beyond AA…but there are some very positive signs so far—once we factor in his age.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 22:24:04 +0000

BTW is should be noted that Matt Carpenter played SS yesterday or today vs. Springfield.

By: cariocacardinal

cariocacardinal — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 22:06:26 +0000

The Carpenter/Freese debate may come down to what happens with Pujols. If Pujols re-signs there will be less need for another power bat (Freese) and the OBP of Carpenter may fit our needs more. If Pujols doesn’t re-sign, We may need the power from Freese’s bat in our line-up.

By: Gruntosaurus

Gruntosaurus — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 21:46:31 +0000

Carp’s pro experience is all at 1B and 3B, as is Freese’s. Carp did not play any middle infield in college. He’d be a long shot at 2B.

Cox, by contrast, played not only 2B but shortstop in college. (Don’t get your hopes up…)