2025 Fantasy Baseball: Kerry Carpenter Profile, Preview, Predictions
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Kerry Carpenter checks the average hit rate and contact batting average boxes, but he needs a better opportunity against left-handed pitching to help his fantasy value.
A moment the Gritty @tigers will never forget 👏
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 15, 2024
Kerry Carpenter's three-run go-ahead home run off of Emmanuel Clase in the ALDS is #8 on our "Top Finishes of 2024" countdown. pic.twitter.com/K7EcO1qSgn
OF – Kerry Carpenter, DET (ADP – 189.00)
In 2023, Carpenter had a quiet April (.217/8/4/8 over 69 at-bats), followed by a right shoulder injury that led to 42 days on the injured list. He helped fantasy teams over his final 349 at-bats (.289/49/16/56/6).
After a productive first 145 at-bats (.283/21/8/29) last season, Carpenter landed on the injured list for 78 days with a stress fracture in his back. He helped fantasy teams down the stretch by hitting .286 over 119 at-bats with 16 runs, 10 home runs, and 28 RBIs. On the downside, the Tigers gave him only 28 at-bats against lefties (.107 with two runs, one home run, and four RBIs). Carpenter hit 13 of his 18 home runs at home, but his batting average was better away from home (.308).
His strikeout rate (25.3) remains below the league average while seeing an uptick in his walk rate (7.4). He was a clutch hitter with runners on base (RBI rate – 21), with strength in his average hit rate (2.067) and contact batting average (.397).
Carpenter is trending higher in exit velocity (90.4 mph) and hard-hit rate (45.1). His uptick in power potential is tied to a career-best launch angle (17.7), fly-ball rate (44.8), and HR/FB rate (20.9).
Fantasy Outlook: There’s much to like about Carpenter this year, but his lingering questions about facing left-handed pitching does lower his overall opportunity in at-bats. He is trending toward 35 home runs if ever given 550 at-bats. Detroit will hit him in the middle of their lineup, which will help his chances of improving in runs and RBIs. Carpenter should outperform his current price point, but his back issue last season can’t be dismissed from his outlook in 2025.
RANKINGS
Top 5 Catchers | Catchers 6-10 | Catchers 11-15
Top 5 First Basemen | First Basemen 6-10 | First Basemen 11-15
Top 5 Second Basemen | Second Basemen 6-10 | Second Basemen 11-15
Top 5 Shortstops | Shortstops 6-10 | Shortstops 11-15
Top 5 Third Basemen | Third Basemen 6-10 | Third Basemen 11-15
With 20+ years of experience in the high-stakes fantasy market, I aim to research and compete at the highest level in baseball and football each season. I've contributed as a writer/analyst for Sports Draft Daily, ScoutPro, Scout Fantasy, Fulltime Fantasy, FFToolbox, and Sports Illustrated Fantasy. I'm honored to be in the National Fantasy Baseball Championship Hall of Fame. My drafting philosophy is risk-averse yet open to betting on potential game-changers. I approach player selection with a neutral perspective, acknowledging that fantasy sports are inherently unpredictable due to injuries, performance dips, and managerial decisions. My work focuses on these main areas: - Season-long fantasy baseball and football - BestBall Baseball and Football Events - Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS): DraftKings, FanDuel, and Underdog - Long Shot Player Prop Parlays for NFL I participate in various leagues and contests, including NFBC, NFFC, RTSports, FFPC, DraftKings, Underdog Fantasy, FanDuel, and FFWC, with the goal of leveraging my extensive experience and research for success in each game format. A fantasy follower can expect in-depth profiles of NFL and MLB players, along with season-long and weekly projections for each fantasy football season. In addition, I have many strategy articles to help develop fantasy players' learning curves.
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