The Keepers - #25 - 1B/OF - Chris Carter

25. Chris Carter – 1B – AAA – 28/yrs –

It would be very hard to find someone that has had a better minor league career:

2006: AAA - 509-AB, .301/.395/.483/.878, 19-HR, 97-RBI
2007: AAA – 503-AB, .324/.383/.521/.904, 18-HR, 84-RBI
2008: AAA – 470-AB, .300/.356/.515/.871, 24-HR, 81-RBI
2009: AAA, 470-AB, .300/.356/.515/.871, 24-HR, 81-RBI

In fact, his 6-year minor league total stats come to: .3-4/.378/.508/.886, 126-HR, 512-RBI
Of course, none of this has been done as a Met.

Carter was the key player involved in the trade of Billy Wagner to the Boston Red Sox.

He was originally drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks, in the 17th round of the 2004 draft. He hit the snot off the ball for four years in their organization before being traded to Boston from Washington for Wily Mo Pena.

Most think of him as a first baseman; however, he has almost plays as many games in the outfield since becoming a professional ballplayer.

From: www.soxprospects.com: - Extremely intelligent, Carter is a real student of hitting, and has demonstrated success with the bat at every level. Excellent power with the potential for more. Hits for average and consistently gets on base at a very good clip. Hits lefties and righties well. Below average speed. In the field, Carter has spent much of his career at 1B but was moved to the outfield in 2008. He has always been known as a poor fielder, and still doesn't look particularly comfortable at any position. He has focused on his glove and footwork and has improved slightly, but still not enough.

From: - www.projo.com: - Chris Carter appeared to be very comfortable in the Red Sox clubhouse early Sunday afternoon. The 26-year-old utility man made the major-league club out of spring training thanks to his solid offensive performance during camp and because he’s one of the hardest workers in the organization. He will serve as the back-up first baseman, and can also play the outfield. The left-handed hitter posted a .355 average with 27 hits and 6 home runs during Grapefruit League games. He beat out Jeff Bailey, who also had a good spring, for the final open spot on the Boston roster. Bailey will begin the season in Pawtucket.

Forecast: On the surface, sure sounds a lot like another Craig Brazell, Nick Evans, Mike Carp, Michel Abreu, or Brett Harper. I’ve talked to five people in Boston about this kid and they all agreed that he didn’t have enough to make it on that team as a starter. I guess the Mets rational on this one is he could split time on 1st with Daniel Murphy in 2010 until Ike Davis arrives in 2011, but couldn’t either Fernando Tatis or Nick Evans already have done that? I love the stats and I’d be thrilled if he could offer up some pop from the bench.