Drew Carpenter

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #22 prospect in 2009
  Carpenter made it the majors in 2008 after starting the season on a strong note. Carpenter got his first exposure to big league camp and did well in the spotlight, dominating the Yankees in four innings and commanding his plus changeup to all quadrants of the zone. At his best, the former Long Beach workhorse commands his 86- 90 mph fastball, gets a good downhill angle and sets up his best pitch--a short, sharp slider that was better prior to 2008. Carpenter made significant progress with his changeup, throws a get-it-over curveball and will sneak in a split-finger fastball. His conditioning will dictate his future role. Carpenter was just too heavy in 2008, costing him command and stamina. He missed time last year with what was officially turf toe, though the Phillies really wanted him to focus on losing weight during his time on the disabled list. He made some adjustments in the Arizona Fall League and should be ready to be reunited with pitching coach Steve Schrenk, who gets through to him more than most. They'll both be at Reading, at least to start the year.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #9 prospect in 2008
  Carpenter transferred from Sacramento City College to Long Beach State for 2006 and improved his draft stock considerably under 49ers pitching coach Troy Buckley, going to the Phillies with the 65th overall pick. Philadelphia limited his workload in his first pro summer but turned him loose in 2007. He tied for the minor league lead with 17 wins, including a seven-inning perfect game, and the organization named him its minor league pitcher of the year. A finesse righthander, Carpenter makes his pitches more effective because he throws them on a steep, downhill angle. He commands his 89-92 mph fastball to all four quadrants of the strike zone. He has two breaking balls, a plus slider with good tilt and an average curveball, and has added a changeup and splitter since turning pro. His splitter has quickly emerged as his out pitch. He has an easy, simple delivery he repeats well. Carpenter's changeup still has a long way to go to be consistently effective. His arm speed lags behind his body at times and his command of the changeup can be erratic. The Phillies aren't looking to take a pitch away form him yet, but if his changeup doesn't improve, he may just use his splitter to keep hitters off his fastball. Carpenter can get stiff on his front side, which makes him fly open in his delivery and elevate his fastball. Many Phillies officials compare Carpenter's rise to that of Kyle Kendrick, and he could wind up in the big leagues as early as 2008 if the need should arise. Until then, Carpenter will head to Double-A, just like Kendrick did in 2007.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #17 prospect in 2007
  Carpenter was slated to go to Oklahoma when he transferred from Sacramento City College, but a coaching change with the Sooners (and the staff's willingness to let him out of his national letter of intent) prompted him to choose Long Beach State instead. His talent and the work of pitching coach Troy Buckley--who mentored four first- or second-round picks between 2004-2005--helped push Carpenter into the second round in 2006. Carpenter features a low-90s fastball with good movement and commands it to all parts of the zone. He rounds out his repertoire with an average-to-plus slider and changeup. While Carpenter repeats his delivery well, his arm can drag behind slightly with his offspeed pitches, and tends to leave them up in the zone as a result. That is especially true of his changeup, which now grades out as below average but should be an average pitch down the road. He'll begin the season in high Class A.