Chris Carter

2013

Subscribe now to see our 2013 outlook.

2012

Carter was sidelined with a thumb injury for two months, essentially delaying his season debut until June. His season at Triple-A wasn't anything he hadn't shown before, equal parts power (18 homers in 296 at-bats) and whiffs (85 strikeouts). The A's appear to leaning toward settling Carter in at either first base or DH after a brief trial in the outfield, and they won't hesitate to use him if he shows signs of life at the plate, but it's hard to get excited given his .167/.226/.254 performance in 114 at-bats in the majors thus far.

2011

Carter was shifted to the outfield midseason, and his bat picked up after a slow start at Triple-A Sacramento. He saw some time in Oakland, including an 0-for-33 streak to begin his major league career. His minor-league composite (.258/.365/.529, 73:138 BB:K in 465 at-bats) fit the profile of his prior seasons. The power is for real, but it's hard to project him hitting for much of an average given how often he fails to make contact. His home park isn't going to do him any favors either.

2010

Carter continued to mash in the minors, posting a composite .329/.422/.570 with 43 doubles and 28 home runs in 544 at-bats (most of which were at Double-A). It remains to be seen if his approach at the plate (lots of walks, lots of homers, but even more strikeouts) will translate as he advances; his brief time at Triple-A Sacramento was a mixed bag (.259/.293/.519, four homers and 14 K in 54 at-bats). His brief appearance in the Mexican Winter League did little to answer the question, as he hit just .212/.316/.455 with five of his 14 hits clearing the fence, but also fanning 27 times in 66 at-bats. He'll enter spring training with a chance to earn a spot on the A's roster, but it's far more likely that he'll be sent to Triple-A Sacramento for a few months before the A's consider him for a promotion. The power potential is there, but he wouldn't be the first slugger to flame out against advanced pitching.

2009

Carter showed tremendous power potential (39 homers) and drew 77 walks in 506 at-bats at High-A Stockton, but 156 strikeouts are worrisome. He played in the Winter league in Hawaii (tough gig, eh?) and hit just .228/.386/.380 in 79 at-bats (two homers, 17:28 BB:K ratio). Texas' Chris Davis had immediate success at the big leagues while racking up big strikeout totals in the minors as well, but we'll reserve judgment on Carter until he's able to show good results at Double-A.

2008

Carter made great strides in 2007 as he showed a better approach at the plate and cut down on his strikeouts. There's still some room for improvement but Carter's on the right track after a .291/.383/.522 season with 25 homers as a 20-year old in Single-A. Among the few legitimate offensive prospects in the Chicago organization, he was shipped to the Diamondbacks in the offseason for Carlos Quentin before getting shipped to Oakland as part of the Dan Haren deal. Carter will be among the many young talents that the A's are grooming for the future opening of their new ballpark.