Vital Statistics:
Name: Mike Carp
Position: First Base
DOB: June 30, 1986
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 195
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Mike (aka Chris) Carp was a standout first
baseman for Lakewood High School in
California, earning the ABCA
All-American Honors for Region 8 along with the
likes of
Matt Bush (Padres) and Philip Hughes
(Yankees), both first round draft selections in
the 2004 draft. Carp, who finished tied for
fifth in doubles in California in 2004 with 13
doubles while hitting .387 with 28 RBI, also
earned First Team All-State honors for
California High School baseball. Upon being
drafted by the Mets in the 9th round, Carp
signed with the Mets for $60,000 in June and was
assigned to the Gulf Coast League Mets to make
his professional debut.
Carp had a decent professional debut with the
GCL Mets this past season, finishing in the top
three on the team in doubles, RBI, and walks.
Drafted as a first baseman, Carp managed to see
some time at third base as well, spelling Nick
Evans from time to time. Despite being a
somewhat late pick considering all the accolades
he earned as a high school player, scouts have
compared him to some very good hitters. Prior to
the draft, scouts compared Carp's swing to that
of
Mark Grace and
Darin Erstad.
|
Year |
Team |
AVG. |
AB |
Hits |
HR |
RBI |
R |
SB |
BB |
K |
OBP |
SLG |
|
2004 |
Gulf Coast |
.267 |
191 |
51 |
4 |
26 |
30 |
2 |
22 |
51 |
.358 |
.393 |
* Stats as of 10/1/04
 Batting
and Power. Carp has an excellent approach to
hitting. Despite employing an open stance, Carp
has a compact swing with good bat control. He
has very good gap power and is more of a line
drive hitter right now, able to rack up a bunch
of doubles. Carp is a very patient hitter and is
selective at the plate. He has an excellent
opportunity to develop into a very good hitter
with plus power as he matures. While the Grace
and Erstad comparison are legitimate, Carp
resembles
David Wright's approach to hitting, albeit a
left-handed version. Carp is a very disciplined
hitter which is so rare for a player of his age.
He could develop into a .300 hitter with 25+
home run power.
Base Running and Speed. For an
athletically built player, Carp is not blessed
with tremendous speed. He does have above
average speed for a first baseman however and
like Wright, is an intelligent base runner able
to pick his spots. He could wind up stealing
about 10 bases each year and won't hurt the team
on the base paths.
Defense. Carp is a decent first baseman
defensively. He has good range and soft hands.
He's an average first baseman that won't win
many Gold Gloves but won't be a detriment in the
field either. His defense is solid enough to
remain at first base.
Projection. It is way too early to tell,
but right now, Carp projects to be a starting
first baseman down the road and run-producing
hitter, batting somewhere in either the #3 or #5
spot in a lineup. He has a long road ahead of
him but he has the talent to be a top prospect
someday.
ETA. 2009. Carp is just 18 years old and
will be so for the majority of the 2005 minor
league season. He has a ton of offensive
potential but is young enough that he won't be
rushed. Carp will most likely be on the
five-year plan in his ascension to the Major
Leagues which would put his arrival at Shea
Stadium by 2009 at the tender age of 23 years
old. Both
Jim Burt Jr. and
Tyler Davidson could skip a level next
season so it's not beyond the realm of
possibility that Carp could be manning first
base for Hagerstown in 2005, at least until the
short season leagues open up.
|
1
1-800
Recent
Client News