Matt Carpenter is a professional baseball player who has had a career filled with highs and lows. The three-time All-Star and World Series champion spent the majority of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he was a beloved fan favorite and a cornerstone of the team’s success.
However, in recent years, Carpenter has struggled with injuries and a decline in his offensive production, leading to decreased playing time and eventually his departure from the Cardinals.
In 2021, he signed a one-year deal with the San Diego Padres, leaving many fans wondering what happened to the once-dominant hitter.
We’ll examine Carpenter’s career trajectory, including his early years, peak seasons with the Cardinals, recent struggles, and his move to the Padres. We’ll also look at his future prospects and what he needs to do to regain his form as a top-tier hitter.
Early Career
Matt Carpenter was born on November 26, 1985, in Galveston, Texas. He attended TCU (Texas Christian University), where he played college baseball as a third baseman.
After a successful college career, Carpenter was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 13th round of the 2009 MLB draft.
Carpenter began his professional career in the Cardinals’ minor league system, where he worked his way up through the ranks. He played for several minor league teams, including the Batavia Muckdogs, Quad Cities River Bandits, Palm Beach Cardinals, and Springfield Cardinals.
In 2011, Carpenter made his major league debut with the Cardinals, but only played in nine games that season. However, the following year, in 2012, he had a breakout season. Carpenter played in 114 games and hit .294 with a .365 on-base percentage and a .463 slugging percentage.
He also hit 22 doubles, two triples, and six home runs, driving in 46 runs. His performance helped the Cardinals reach the National League Championship Series, where they eventually lost to the San Francisco Giants.
During this breakout season, Carpenter was primarily a utility player, playing multiple positions including first base, third base, and the outfield.
However, he primarily played at first base during the 2012 season. His strong offensive production and versatility made him a valuable asset for the Cardinals and helped establish him as a rising star in the league.
Peak Years With the Cardinals
After his breakout season in 2012, Carpenter continued to improve and establish himself as a key player for the Cardinals. From 2013 to 2018, he had several outstanding seasons, earning him multiple accolades.
In 2013, Carpenter was named to his first All-Star team and won a Silver Slugger award. He finished the season with a .318 batting average, 55 doubles, 7 triples, 11 home runs, and 78 RBIs. He also led the National League in hits (199) and runs scored (126).
Carpenter continued his strong play in 2014, finishing with a .272 batting average, 33 doubles, 8 triples, 8 home runs, and 59 RBIs. He was once again named to the All-Star team and won his second Silver Slugger award.
In 2015, Carpenter had another impressive season, finishing with a .272 batting average, 44 doubles, 4 triples, 28 home runs, and 84 RBIs. He was once again named to the All-Star team and won his third Silver Slugger award.
Carpenter’s strong play continued in the following years, earning him another All-Star selection in 2016 and finishing with a career-high 36 home runs in 2018. He played a key role in the Cardinals’ success during this time, helping them reach the playoffs in multiple seasons.
One of Carpenter’s most memorable moments came in the 2013 playoffs, where he played a crucial role in the Cardinals’ run to the World Series.
In Game 6 of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Carpenter hit a double in the third inning that drove in three runs and helped the Cardinals clinch the series.
The Cardinals would go on to face the Boston Red Sox in the World Series, where they lost in six games. Despite the loss, Carpenter’s performance in the playoffs and throughout the season established him as one of the team’s key players.
Recent Struggles
Despite his strong play from 2013 to 2018, Carpenter has struggled in recent seasons. Since the 2018 season, he has seen a decline in his offensive production and has battled injuries.
In 2019, Carpenter hit just .226 with 15 home runs and 46 RBIs in 129 games. He also had a career-low .726 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) and struggled defensively at third base.
The following year, Carpenter’s struggles continued. He hit just .186 with 4 home runs and 24 RBIs in 109 games during the shortened 2020 season. His playing time was also limited due to injuries and decreased performance.
Carpenter’s struggles led to a decreased role on the Cardinals, as he saw less playing time in favor of younger players. In 2021, the Cardinals declined his $18.5 million option for the season, making him a free agent.
He eventually signed a one-year deal with the San Diego Padres, where he was expected to serve as a veteran presence and utility player off the bench.
Carpenter’s decline in production and decreased playing time with the Cardinals was a disappointing turn of events for both him and the team’s fans.
He had been a key player for the team during their playoff runs in the early 2010s, but injuries and decreased performance ultimately led to his departure from the team.
Move to the Padres
After the Cardinals declined his option for the 2021 season, Carpenter became a free agent. He eventually signed a one-year deal with the San Diego Padres, which was announced on February 2, 2021. The terms of the contract were for $12 million over two years, with a player option for the second year.
Carpenter’s move to the Padres was seen as a way to add a veteran presence to their team and provide depth off the bench.
The Padres already had a strong infield, with players like Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Eric Hosmer, but Carpenter’s versatility and experience made him a valuable addition.
During the 2021 season, Carpenter played in 95 games for the Padres, primarily coming off the bench as a pinch hitter or playing at second or third base when needed.
He hit .192 with 5 home runs and 21 RBIs, which was still a decline from his peak years with the Cardinals, but showed some improvement from his previous seasons.
Despite his decreased offensive production, Carpenter’s experience and leadership were valuable assets for the Padres. He was able to provide guidance and support for younger players, while also providing a reliable bat off the bench.
Overall, Carpenter’s move to the Padres provided him with a fresh start and a new opportunity to contribute to a playoff-caliber team.
While his role on the team was limited, his experience and leadership were important factors in the team’s success during the 2021 season.
Future Outlook
At 36 years old, Carpenter’s future prospects as a top-tier hitter are uncertain. However, he has shown flashes of his previous form during his time with the Padres, and there is potential for him to regain some of his past success.
One area where Carpenter could improve is his consistency at the plate. During his peak years with the Cardinals, he was known for his ability to get on base consistently and hit for power. However, in recent years, his numbers have declined, and he has struggled with injuries.
If Carpenter can stay healthy and regain some of his past form, he could be a valuable asset to the Padres. The team has a strong lineup already, but Carpenter’s versatility and experience could provide additional depth and leadership.
The Padres are a team with playoff aspirations, and Carpenter’s contributions will be crucial if they hope to achieve their goals. As a veteran presence on the team, Carpenter can help guide younger players and provide valuable insights into the game.
Additionally, his ability to play multiple positions makes him a valuable asset off the bench and in late-game situations.
Overall, Carpenter’s future prospects are uncertain, but there is potential for him to regain some of his past success and make significant contributions to the Padres.
As the team continues to build towards a championship, Carpenter’s leadership and experience will be valuable assets both on and off the field.
Here’s a Table Summarizing Some Key Information About Matt Carpenter’s Career:
| Career Summary | |
|---|---|
| Teams | St. Louis Cardinals (2011-2020), San Diego Padres (2021) |
| Position | Third base, first base, second base |
| Draft Status | 13th round, 399th overall pick in 2009 MLB Draft |
| Breakout Year | 2012 (Finished 4th in NL Rookie of the Year voting) |
| Peak Years | 2013-2018 (Three-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger, key player on 2013 World Series team) |
| Recent Struggles | 2019-2020 (Decrease in offensive production, injuries, decreased playing time) |
| Move to Padres | Signed one-year deal with Padres for 2021 season |
| Future Outlook | Uncertain, but potential to regain form and make significant contributions to Padres lineup and team culture |
This table provides a quick summary of some key information about Matt Carpenter’s career, including his teams, draft status, breakout year, peak years, recent struggles, move to the Padres, and future outlook.
FAQs
How many years did Matt Carpenter play for the St. Louis Cardinals?
Matt Carpenter played for the St. Louis Cardinals for 10 seasons, from 2011-2020.
How many All-Star selections did Matt Carpenter have?
Matt Carpenter had three All-Star selections in his career, in 2013, 2014, and 2016.
Has Matt Carpenter won any awards besides the Silver Slugger?
In addition to his three Silver Slugger awards, Carpenter was also awarded the NL Comeback Player of the Year award in 2018 after a strong performance following a disappointing 2017 season.
What position did Matt Carpenter play?
Matt Carpenter primarily played third base for the Cardinals, but he also played first base and second base at various points in his career.
What is Matt Carpenter’s career batting average?
As of the end of the 2020 season, Matt Carpenter’s career batting average was .256.
Conclusion
Matt Carpenter has had a career filled with highs and lows. After a standout college career at TCU, he was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2009. Carpenter quickly rose through the minor leagues, and his breakout season came in 2012, when he finished fourth in National League Rookie of the Year voting.
From 2013-2018, Carpenter established himself as one of the top hitters in the game, earning multiple All-Star selections and Silver Slugger awards. He was a key player on the Cardinals’ 2013 World Series team, and his contributions were vital to the team’s success.
However, in recent years, Carpenter’s offensive production has declined, and he has struggled with injuries. After the Cardinals declined his option for the 2021 season, he signed a one-year deal with the San Diego Padres.
While his role on the team was limited, Carpenter provided leadership and experience for a team with playoff aspirations.
Looking ahead, Carpenter’s future prospects as a top-tier hitter are uncertain, but there is potential for him to regain some of his past success.
With the Padres, he has the opportunity to contribute to a championship-caliber team and provide valuable leadership and insights into the game.
