The Rangers have agreed to a contract with right-handed reliever David Carpenter, Driveline Baseball’s Kyle Boddy announced on Twitter. Details of the contract are unknown at this time, but it seems fair to assume it’s a minor-league arrangement.
There was a time when we ran quite a few posts involving David Carpenter, inevitably spurring the question: which one? Two right-handed relievers by the same name both appeared concurrently in the big leagues (and both played with the Braves, albeit not at the same time).
The Carpenter who’s now headed to Texas is the more accomplished of the two. (Here’s the B-Ref page for the other.) In his five years in the majors, he worked to a 3.66 ERA over 211 1/3 frames. At his best, Carpenter was dominant. He peaked in 2013, with a 1.78 ERA and 10.1 K/9 against 2.7 BB/9 over 65 2/3 innings.
Now 33 years old, Carpenter hasn’t seen the majors since 2015. With health issues playing a role, he ended up receiving only minimal Triple-A opportunities over ensuing two seasons and scuffled badly in the upper minors. Carpenter was able to turn in 37 2/3 productive indy ball frames in 2017, but obviously wasn’t drawing much interest from affiliated organizations.
Carpenter has been working with Driveline to revive his career. His personal Twitter feed shows some of the progress and changes he has made, including the addition of a splitter. It’ll be interesting to see whether he’s able to earn a shot at some point with the Rangers, who should have ample opportunity even after adding several relievers this winter.
Driveline strikes again!! Oh boy
They helped Kyle Zimmer add 42 MPH to his fastball. This should be getting more press.
Well, Driveline and the Pitching Ninja @flatgroundApp Twitter account.
Oof the other’s ERA in 2013 was 108. I would say that’s not as accomplished.
Holy s***
There are long shots then there is David Carpenter.
Isn’t this the guy that Fredi Gonzalez decided to use instead of Kimbrel in the 8th inning of G4 of the 2013 NLDS. Gave up the homer to Uribe and lost the game and series that night.
That would be him, yes. To be fair Carpenter had a fantastic 2013 season, but Kimbrel is Kimbrel.
Better to get it over with quick than allowing your ace closer to walk 4 straight guys and yield the same result but hey Kimbrel is Kimbrel.
That would be him..Although, somewhat to Fredidiot’s credit Carpenter was def. a top-tier relief option in the NL that season. There weren’t very many relievers that were as reliable nor as dominant as Carpenter, except for the other option Fredidiot had in Kimbrel..
No dumpster diving comments?
He and I went to the same high school, but not together. I’m four or five years older than him
I was so stoked when he was traded to Boston with Farrell. Then he never played a game for them :/
Didnit his sister die of an eating disorder?
So MLBTR can’t use middle initials? What The Fudge?
It’s so easy to do!
Rangers love those driveline guys..
Rumor is that contracts are also pending for: the other David Carpenter and also for Richard Carpenter. Stay tuned for further developments..