Luis Carpio
| AB | 2068 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .237 |
| OBP | .319 |
| SLG | .336 |
| HR | 29 |
- Full name Luis Gabriel Carpio
- Born 07/11/1997 in Caracas, Venezuela
- Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Carpio first drew attention in 2015, when he hit .304 as a 17-year-old middle infielder in the Rookie-level Appalachian League. He tore the labrum in his right shoulder the following spring, and never played the field in 2016, though he did see limited action as a DH. The rust showed at low Class A Columbia in 2017, when Carpio hit just .232 with three home runs and spent most of the season at second base rather than shortstop, partially in deference to system No. 1 prospect Andres Gimenez. His shoulder injury and long layoff affected his swing, but not his hitting approach--he continued to draw walks at a high rate and show bat-to-ball skills. He never has displayed much power and probably won't grade as even below-average until his body matures and adds strength. An average runner, Carpio shows solid-average range and arm strength at shortstop but is error-prone. His actions appear more confident at second base. Adding third base down the line is a distinct possibility if the Mets choose to groom him as a utility infielder. Carpio sat out instructional league so that he could rest and work out as he prepares for the 2018 season. -
The Mets loved Carpio's mature, blue-collar approach when they signed the 16-year-old for $300,000 out of Venezuela in 2013. He raised his prospect profile when he hit .304 at Rookie-level Kingsport in 2015, but didn't get a chance to follow up in 2016 because he tore the labrum in his right shoulder in early March and had surgery. Carpio recovered quicker than expected and returned to action in mid-August, though he appeared exclusively at DH for his 20 games and didn't play the field until instructional league. Carpio's bat is his carrying tool. He lines the ball to all fields with a short swing and executes an intelligent hitting approach with advanced pitch recognition. Already bigger than his listed height and weight, he could grow into more power as his body matures and he learns to hunt for his pitch. An average runner, Carpio has ordinary quickness and a fringe-average arm that might force him to second base down the road. Three days after having labrum surgery, he reported to the Mets' complex at Port St. Lucie, Fla., asking team trainers for extra work as he rehabbed. That excited the Mets almost as much as his ability, and it's why he can probably handle a jump to low Class A Columbia in 2017. -
The Mets signed Carpio out of Venezuela for $300,000 on his 16th birthday in 2013 after he had improved his tools and skills leading up to international signing period. His hard-nosed style of play and feel at the plate encouraged the Mets to send him to Rookie-level Kingsport for his U.S. debut in 2015, when he hit .304 and ranked as the Appalachian League's No. 7 prospect. Listed at 6 feet and 165 pounds, Carpio is stronger than he looks. He consistently hits hard line drives, controls the strike zone and exhibits presence in the batter's box. After growing into power after he signed, Carpio began flirting with a pull-oriented approach in the Dominican Summer League in 2014, but he hit just .234 and subsequently settled back into a balanced, middle-of-the-field hitting approach in 2015. Observers rave about his infield actions and high baseball IQ, which helps him profile up the middle. His average speed, average first-step quickness and fringe-average arm would need to improve for him to stay at shortstop. Most scouts view Carpio as a lineup-igniting sparkplug who probably fits best at second base, though he's at least three full years away from Citi Field.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Carpio signed with the Mets for $300,000 in July 2013, when he ranked as the No. 30 prospect available on the international market. The Mets skipped him over the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and he handled it well, reaching base in 41 of the 45 games he played at Kingsport. Carpio is a line-drive hitter with fast-twitch ability on both sides of the ball. He's an aggressive hitter with impressive feel for the barrel, though he lacks much in the way of power. What he lacks in size, he makes up for in maturity. Carpio's sparkplug tendencies are not confined solely to the batter's box, for he also has defensive upside. He shared second base and shortstop with 2014 third-rounder Milton Ramos, who is nearly two years older. Carpio showed improved footwork and average arm strength and should stay up the middle. Depending on how his body matures, he may project best at second base.
