2025 WTSBaseball Player Spotlight Series
So, I have decided that during the length of Spring Training, I am going to start featuring some players on the team individually. Some will be established starters, others maybe prospects. I think it would be a good opportunity for us all to learn more about some of these guys before the season starts. I have the first two players picked out but feel free to give me a player you would like! (This includes Kenneth and Nick).
This week’s feature:
KERRY “BONDS” CARPENTER
This Dick’s Sporting Goods employee turned MLB slugger is on the rise in Detroit. He provided us with one of the greatest moments last year and made Emmanuel Clase cry like the whiny brat he is. Quickly becoming a fan favorite in the Motor City, KCarp has already established himself as a cornerstone of this future Tigers Team. He loves Jesus and the long ball.
The Before
Kerry Carpenter attended Virginia Tech University after transferring out of junior college and played just one season for the Hokies. In 2019 he hit .272. With 10HRs and 45 RBI in just 53 games. He was then drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 19th round as the 562nd (lol) overall pick. He then spent the remainder of the 2019 season between the GCL and Low A Lakeland. After the canceled 2020 season for the minor leagues, Kerry started off in AA-Erie in 2021 where he hit .262 with 15HRs and 74 RBI over 112 games. While the numbers at Erie that year were nothing to write home about, Kerry sprung onto the scene in 2022. Kerry started the year back in Erie where, in 63 games, he slashed .304/.359/.646(!) with a 1.005 OPS. Pretaaay, prettaayyy good. Kerry would soon get a promotion to Toledo to finish out the season. Kerry finished that year with 30HRs, 75RBI, and slashed .313/.380/.645 with a 1.025 OPS. Dude mashes. Kerry Made his MLB debut in 2023 and played in 118 games. He had an injury shortened year in both 2023 and 2024, but has shown that if he is healthy, he can be a real productive bat in the middle of the line up. Just ask Emmanuel Clase.
The Now
KCarp is easily a 30+ homer a year guy if given 550 ABs. The biggest question is if he can stay healthy. He played in 118 games in 2023 and just 84 in 2024. The Tigers want and need him to be that middle of the order dude who can provide that power that has been so severely lacking over the past 10 years. Additionally, he will need to prove that he can hit lefties because, as of right now, he is not great at that (3-28 with 10Ks last year. Barf)
2025 PROJECTIONS
I have looked up his projections and compiled the average of many different reputable stat websites and I hate (unbiased) all of their projections but here it is.
450 ABS, 23HRs, 71RBI, 61Rs, .254/.316/.471 .787 OPS. (VIA Steamer/Fangraphs)
What our intelligent and very-correct-all-the-time author thinks:
515 ABs, 32HRs, 87RBI, 72Rs, .258/.349/.515 .874 OPS (VIA Cuz I said so)
For me, as unbiased as I can be, it will be health and playing time against lefties that really determine Swole Magikarp’s real productivity. Kerry has stated that he thinks he can earn more playing time against southpaws, but we will see what AJ thinks. We know that boy loves his matchups.
I leave you with my top 5 Kerry Carpenter Homers.
4. Kerry Hits two homers in his return from the IL
3. Kerry Ties it against the Mariners in the 8th during the Tigers late playoff push
