Atlanta Braves: Five All-Star Position Player Wish List
By John Buhler
TCU. Matt Carpenter. 13. player. 32. . Infielder
Ever since 2013 when then 2B Matt Carpenter burst on the scene as a hitting machine for the St. Louis Cardinals, I’ve been enamored with his offensive production. The two-time All-Star for the Redbirds can star at multiple infield positions. Cardinals Manager Mike Matheny decided it was in the best interest of the best organization in baseball to move Carp to 3rd so that top prospect 2B Kolten Wong could start adequately contributing in St. Louis as a starter.
In 2014 Carpenter not only made the switch from second to third but lead the Cardinals on another deep playoff run, losing to eventual Champions San Francisco on Travis Ishikawa‘s walkoff homer off Michael Wacha. Since 2013, Carp has finished Top 4 in the NL MVP (2013) won a Silver Slugger (2013) and helped the 2013 St. Louis Cardinals win the NL Pennant.
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With his versatility to play at three positions in the infield and consistently get on base at the top of the order ( .392, .375, .371 OBP’s the last three seasons), he would absolutely thrive in Terry Pendleton‘s infield and under Kevin Seitzer‘s tutelage in the cage. I could see Carpenter becoming an even better fielder under Pendleton and perhaps get back to 2013 form at the plate with the help of Seitzer.
Given that the St. Louis Cardinals are a frustratingly good ball club that rarely makes a dumb move (thanks for Shelby Miller, by the way!), it would surprise me if the Redbirds let Matt Carpenter leave town without getting something promising in return. Perhaps John Hart is stockpiling Minor League assets in the hopes of formulating a trade offer with established winning teams like the St. Louis Cardinals.
If John Hart can help the Atlanta Braves while simultaneously hurting the St. Louis Cardinals, I am 100 percent all for that. Getting a player like Matt Carpenter would almost fill the void left in Braves Country’s hearts after the Justin Upton Trade. I still miss Martin Prado…
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