A’s and Chris Carter – Patience Paying Off for Both

Patience is a rewarding virtue for Chris Carter and the Oakland A’s

A highly regarded prospect who was a key part of the haul Oakland received from the Diamondbacks in the Dan Haren trade after the 2007 season, the 25-year-old Carter hit .283 with a .913 OPS over eight minor league seasons.

Yet he struggled in four stints with the A’s between 2010 and 2011, batting .136 with three home runs, nine walks, 41 strikeouts and a .174 on-base percentage in 39 games.

The A’s could have given up on the right-handed hitting first baseman and left fielder, but they let him develop. According to A’s manager Bob Melvin, Carter incorporated minor adjustments at the plate, using more of the lower half of his body to generate power.

Carter is also demonstrating a better plate approach, workhiming counts, showing restraint from chasing bad pitches and drawing more walks.

Since his recall from Triple-A Sacramento on June 29, Carter is batting .260 with nine home runs, 18 RBI, 19 walks, a .406 OBP and a 1.043 OPS in 77 at-bats.

The 6-foot-4, 245-pound Carter says he is more comfortable at first base than left field, and that is where he spending most of his time with Oakland.

When the A’s called up Carter, they intended to use him mostly against left-handers and play the left-handed hitting Brandon Moss against righties. Carter has generated runs off lefties and righties, though. Interestingly, he has a .216 average versus right-handers, but he has slugged four home runs and owns a 1.015 OPS in 37 at-bats. In 40 at-bats off left-handers, Carter has a .300 average, five home runs and a 1.066 OPS.

Moss, who is 2-for-20 (.100) over his last 10 games, is 5-for-28 (.179) with two home runs and a .600 OPS against lefties. Overall, he is batting .231 with 11 home runs and 21 RBI in 130 at-bats.

Not known for his defense, Carter already has four errors at first base, yet he provides power on a team that is last in overall offense in the Major Leagues. The A’s are batting .229 with a .684 OPS.

Carter joins Yoenis Cespedes (.310, 14 home runs, 54 RBI, .901 OPS) and Josh Reddick (.261, 23 home runs, 53 RBI, .845 OPS) as Oakland’s primary run producers.

Oakland Athletics News – Closer Ryan Cook may lose his job based on four blown opportunities at saves in his last six attempts. Brandon McCarthy may be activated off the DL. Cespedes (wrist) is back in the A’s lineup. The team placed RHP A.J. Griffin on the 15-day disabled list with a right shoulder injury