The Detroit Tigers outfielder has seen his power numbers surge in the first two months in Erie. What has changed for the left-handed hitting outfielder 2019 19th-round pick from Virginia Tech?
The 2nd annual trip to Erie to see the SeaWolves started off with a strong Reese Olson start on Friday, but he was not the only player who stood out. Since the season began, left-handed outfielder Kerry Carpenter has been hitting the ball with power.
Carpenter is second in the Eastern League in home runs with 11 after Friday night’s performance. He finished the evening going 4-for-5 with two home runs and a pair of doubles. When we spoke to him after the game, he said this was one of the best games in his pro career. Last season, through about 23 games, Carpenter’s numbers were nearly identical to his first 92 plate appearances in 2022. But that’s where the similarities stop.
Over the next 12 games in 2021 Carpenter struggled, hitting just .190 with one home run in 50 plate appearances. Since May 10, which is about 42 plate appearances, he is hitting .432 with six home runs. His Isolated Power numbers stand out the most, going from a .143 in 2021, to .322 so far in 2022.
What has changed? According to Erie SeaWolves manager Gabe Alvarez, he has changed his swing to have more loft.
We have been getting a lot of questions about outfielder Kerry Carpenter. Here’s @erie_seawolves manager Gabe Alvarez talking about the off-season change that Carpenter did on his swing. An article to come shortly. pic.twitter.com/7eERHoZLhA
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) May 21, 2022
Here is his swing from 2021
https://twitter.com/erie_seawolves/status/1419095010776162304?s=20&t=7_0YZdRwDQDEHs_LUro-OA
Kerry Carpenter makes it three 3-run home runs! 12-0 @erie_seawolves wow #tigers pic.twitter.com/Gij6bbgbA1
— Tom Reisenweber (@ETNreisenweber) July 20, 2021
Now here’s his swing in 2022.
Kerry Carpenter goes deep AGAIN. That’s two home runs and two doubles tonight. pic.twitter.com/7Wxgv8Gj8d
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) May 21, 2022
From what I could tell, this is allowing him to square up on the ball, allowing a more balanced swing through the batting zone. His arms look to be set quicker before he swings.Carpenter’s OPS has been healthy, currently at 1.025, which leads the SeaWolves.
The Detroit Tigers prospect depth in the outfield is very short at both Toledo and Erie. But there is one thing that seemed to be forgotten last season. Carpenter, like Ryan Kreidler, also made the jump from Low-A to Double-A last season. It appears now with the swing changes in place, Carpenter’s stock in the prospect ranks may rise soon.