Mike Carp

Mike Carp
Mike Carp batting for the Binghamton Mets in 2008
Seattle Mariners — No. 20
First baseman, Outfielder
Born: June 30, 1986 (1986-06-30) (age 25) Long Beach, California
Bats: Left	Throws: Right
MLB debut
June 17, 2009 for the Seattle Mariners
Career statistics (through 2011 Season)
Batting average	.273
Home runs	13
Runs batted in	51
Teams
Seattle Mariners (2009–present)

Christopher Michael Carp (born June 30, 1986 in Long Beach, California) is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Seattle Mariners.

Professional career

After attending Lakewood High School in Lakewood, California, Carp was drafted by the Mets in the ninth round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft (254th overall). He would hit 19 Home runs in only 313 at bats as a 19 year old playing for the Hagerstown Suns, and win the Sterling Award as Mets organization player of the year following his 2006 season with the St. Lucie Mets.^[1] In that season he hit .287 (141-491) with 69 runs scored, 27 doubles, one triple, 17 home runs and 88 runs batted in.

In March 2007 he attended Major League training camp for the first time, hitting .233 in 43 at bats with the Mets. His 2007 season with the Binghamton Mets of the Double-A Eastern League would be somewhat derailed by a broken finger, which he felt affected his swing even after returning from the disabled list. Mike hit .251/.337/.387/.725 (90 for 359, 55 runs, 16 2b, 11 HR, 48 RBI, 39/75 BB/K) with Binghamton. He played with the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League during the fall.^[2]

Carp enjoyed a great bounceback season in 2008, setting career highs in average, on base percentage, OPS, doubles, homers, and walks. For the season, Carp hit .299/.403/.471/.874 (143 for 478, 67 runs, 29 2b, 3b, 17 HR, 72 RBI, 79/88 BB/K).

On December 10, 2008, Carp was traded to the Seattle Mariners in a three-team trade which also included RHP J.J. Putz, RHP Sean Green and OF Jeremy Reed from the Mariners for RHP Aaron Heilman, OF Endy Chávez, LHP Jason Vargas, OF Ezequiel Carrera and RHP Maikel Cleto and sent RHP Joe Smith to the Indians.^[3]

He made his major league debut with the Mariners on June 17, 2009, pinch-hitting in a game against the San Diego Padres and drawing a walk. He got a hit, a single to center in his first major league start the next day.

On September 1 Carp was called up a second time. He went 0 for 4 against the Los Angeles Angels that same night.

On June 8, 2011, Carp was called up to replace outfielder Mike Wilson.^[4] He has also served as a replacement at the first base position for starter Justin Smoak. Carp was named the American League Rookie of the Month in August,^[5] during which he hit .313 and drove in 25 runs.

On September 19, 2011, Carp hit his first grand slam against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field.

References

1. ^ Sterling Awards Announced
2. ^ Carp looking to regain form in AFL at official Mets website
3. ^ Three-team blockbuster gets Mets Putz
4. ^ Baker, Geoff (2011-06-07). "Mike Carp called up by Mariners". Seattle Times. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/marinersblog/2015258438_mike_carp_called_up_by_mariner.html. Retrieved 2011-06-08. 
5. ^ Baker, Geoff (2011-09-06). "Mike Carp named AL Rookie of the Month for August". Seattle Times. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/marinersblog/2016126385_mike_carp_named_al_rookie_of_t.html. Retrieved 2011-09-07. 

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
• Carp Maintaining In His Development at Scout.com (subscription)
• Hawaii Winter Baseball Feature: Mike Carp and Blake DeWitt at Baseball America

Persondata
Name	Carp, Mike
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	June 30, 1986
Place of birth	Long Beach, California
Date of death
Place of death