Kerry Carpenter must improve in this department to become core Tigers hitter

Kerry Carpenter wants to maximize his value to the Detroit Tigers in 2025, and he knows exactly how he wants to do it.

A career .276/.338/.512 hitter across 236 MLB games, Carpenter is one of the most exciting hitters in Detroit's lineup. Despite missing time last season due to a lumbar spine stress fracture, Carpenter still slashed an impressive .284/.345/.587 with 18 homers in just 87 games in 2024.

However, for all the success Carpenter has had at the plate, there is one glaring weak spot in his game – he has been limited to facing primarily opposite-handed pitching. A lefty slugger, Carpenter has just 134 total plate appearances against southpaws in his Major League career, only 32 of which came in 2024. He's hoping to change that this season.

Kerry Carpenter must improve drastically in this department to become core Tigers hitter

As reported by Chris McCosky of The Detroit News (subscription required), Tigers manager AJ Hinch said that Carpenter is “going to get opportunities and probably more opportunities moving forward” to face left-handed pitching.

“But more doesn’t mean every one," Hinch said (via McCosky). "And more doesn’t come for free. There is a cost that comes with every decision and we will be weighing that. Last year’s evaluation doesn’t have to be this year’s evaluation. We have an open mind as to how to use our roster. But I stand behind that my job is to use the roster the best way we can.”

Carpenter is a career .202/.286/.303 hitter against southpaws in the Majors. Granted, it's a small sample size, but the apparent disappearance of his trademark power against left-handed pitching is rather concerning. If he wants more opportunities to hit lefties, as Hinch said, he will have to earn them, seeing as the Tigers have a lot of reps to go around this year.

Carpenter has also expressed a desire to work his way into the outfield mix more consistently in 2025 rather than being limited to a DH-only role. If he can prove himself a viable option in right field while also producing stronger results against left-handed pitchers, Carpenter might be able to graduate from a platoon role and solidify himself as an everyday starter for the Tigers in 2025.

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