Chris Carpenter

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #3 prospect in 1997
  Like so many Blue Jays prospects, Carpenter was a two-sport star in high school. He played hockey as well as baseball. He had back and arm problems in his first two pro seasons, but has proven durable the last two. He finished sixth in the Southern League in strikeouts in 1996. Carpenter has athleticism and will do the little things to help himself. Most of all, he has stuff. He has developed a fastball that sits in the 92-93 mph range. Carpenter has a power curve that is a knee-buckler, but it has some extra play in it at times and needs to become more consistent. He still gets a little too excited, but has done a better job of harnessing his emotions. Getting to pitch regularly the last two years has been a big lift for him. Carpenter is ready for the move to Triple-A in 1997, with a chance to force his way to the big leagues.
• 
  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #3 prospect in 1996
  Carpenter avoided the back and arm problems that plagued him in the past, and finished his second full pro year in Double-A. He overcame an 0-5 start to go 3-2, 2.86 in his last seven starts for Knoxville. He was an all-state selection in baseball and hockey in high school in New Hampshire. Carpenter gets tougher as the game progresses, an important quality for a legit No. 1 starter. He has a mid-90s fastball with sinking action, and his power curve is also a quality pitch. Despite his size he fields his position well. Carpenter needs to learn how to gear himself up for the start of a game. He has a tendency to pace himself a little too much. Carpenter needs to reaffirm his late-season success in Double-A, but could move to Triple-A by midseason.
• 
  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #5 prospect in 1995
  After missing his first summer in a prolonged negotiation, Carpenter has been slowed by physical problems in the past two instructional leagues. First it was a back problem in 1993, and most recently tenderness in his right arm. With his size and arm strength, Carpenter reminds some of Curt Schilling. But he’s bigger than Schilling and has a better mental makeup. With a mid-90s fastball and a power curve, Carpenter will advance quickly if he stays healthy. Like many young pitchers, Carpenter dominates at the lower levels with his hard stuff. He will have to develop and advanced offspeed pitch to go with his fastball. Other than that, all he needs is experience. None of the physical problems that have slowed Carpenter are considered serious. He won’t turn 20 until after the 1995 season begins, so there’s no sense in rushing him. The South Atlantic League would be a good place to start the year.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked International League #10 prospect in 1997
  Carpenter is a fast climber. At 22, he spent the season bouncing between Triple-A and the big leagues, which may have stymied his progress this season. When he was with Syracuse, Carpenter showed the ability to dominate Triple-A hitters in his first season above the Double-A level. Managers liked the potential of his fastball and his hard curveball. He also is a great athlete. In high school in New Hampshire, he was all-state in baseball and hockey for three years. “He’s a horse with an above-average fastball,” one manager said. “He needs experience. He was rushed through real quick. He’s going to be a heckuva pitcher. It’ll take time. I hope he gets that time.”
• 
  Ranked Pioneer League #3 prospect in 1994
  Making his pro debut, Carpenter showed a quality major league fastball with Medicine Hat and an even better over-the-top curveball. He also showed fine poise for a 19-year-old. “He needs to improve his location,” one pitching coach said, “but he showed a lot of potential.”

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #28 prospect in 1997
• Ranked Baseball America's #82 prospect in 1996
• Ranked Baseball America's #100 prospect in 1995

• December, 1996 Scouting Report
  Carpenter is a fast climber. At 22, he spent the season bouncing between Triple-A and the big leagues, which may have stymied his progress this season. When he was with Syracuse, Carpenter showed the ability to dominate Triple-A hitters in his first season above the Double-A level. Managers liked the potential of his fastball and his hard curveball. He also is a great athlete. In high school in New Hampshire, he was all-state in baseball and hockey for three years. “He’s a horse with an above-average fastball,” one manager said. “He needs experience. He was rushed through real quick. He’s going to be a heckuva pitcher. It’ll take time. I hope he gets that time.”
• December, 1996 Scouting Report
  Like so many Blue Jays prospects, Carpenter was a two-sport star in high school. He played hockey as well as baseball. He had back and arm problems in his first two pro seasons, but has proven durable the last two. He finished sixth in the Southern League in strikeouts in 1996. Carpenter has athleticism and will do the little things to help himself. Most of all, he has stuff. He has developed a fastball that sits in the 92-93 mph range. Carpenter has a power curve that is a knee-buckler, but it has some extra play in it at times and needs to become more consistent. He still gets a little too excited, but has done a better job of harnessing his emotions. Getting to pitch regularly the last two years has been a big lift for him. Carpenter is ready for the move to Triple-A in 1997, with a chance to force his way to the big leagues.
• December, 1995 Scouting Report
  Carpenter avoided the back and arm problems that plagued him in the past, and finished his second full pro year in Double-A. He overcame an 0-5 start to go 3-2, 2.86 in his last seven starts for Knoxville. He was an all-state selection in baseball and hockey in high school in New Hampshire. Carpenter gets tougher as the game progresses, an important quality for a legit No. 1 starter. He has a mid-90s fastball with sinking action, and his power curve is also a quality pitch. Despite his size he fields his position well. Carpenter needs to learn how to gear himself up for the start of a game. He has a tendency to pace himself a little too much. Carpenter needs to reaffirm his late-season success in Double-A, but could move to Triple-A by midseason.
• December, 1994 Scouting Report
  After missing his first summer in a prolonged negotiation, Carpenter has been slowed by physical problems in the past two instructional leagues. First it was a back problem in 1993, and most recently tenderness in his right arm. With his size and arm strength, Carpenter reminds some of Curt Schilling. But he’s bigger than Schilling and has a better mental makeup. With a mid-90s fastball and a power curve, Carpenter will advance quickly if he stays healthy. Like many young pitchers, Carpenter dominates at the lower levels with his hard stuff. He will have to develop and advanced offspeed pitch to go with his fastball. Other than that, all he needs is experience. None of the physical problems that have slowed Carpenter are considered serious. He won’t turn 20 until after the 1995 season begins, so there’s no sense in rushing him. The South Atlantic League would be a good place to start the year.
• December, 1993 Scouting Report
  Making his pro debut, Carpenter showed a quality major league fastball with Medicine Hat and an even better over-the-top curveball. He also showed fine poise for a 19-year-old. “He needs to improve his location,” one pitching coach said, “but he showed a lot of potential.”