Matt Carson: Read and Recognition

2002 fifth round draft pick Matt Carson has had an interesting beginning to the 2006 season to say the least. Starting the season with Tampa, Carson was only able to play 20 games before landing on the disabled list. While healthy, Carson hit only .243 with 21 runs driven in.

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After coming back from the disabled list Carson was quickly promoted to Trenton to take the place of now Columbus Clipper outfielder Bronson Sardinha (hit .250 with 10 homeruns with Trenton). Since his promotion, Carson has re-found the magic that had him hit .304 with Battle Creek in 2004. In 11 games played Carson has an impressive .270 batting average.

“It feels real good to come back up and get a second chance to succeed here in Trenton. I had the opportunity to play here last season and I never got comfortable and I struggled,” said the soft-spoken Matt Carson. “It’s just a bonus to join a great team that is in the playoff race.”

“It’s been a rough beginning to the season. I spent seven and a half weeks on the disabled list when I was with Tampa, and as soon as I got healthy, they called me up to Trenton. I’m still trying to get back to where I need to be.”

Carson said admittingly that he is never going to be a high average hitter, but yet the more prototypical corner outfielder that hits for power.

“I’ve never been a high average hitter. I’d obviously like to improve my average and become a .300 hitter, but I’m more of a power hitter who tries to pride himself on playing quality defense and driving in runs,” said Carson.

As with the case with other power hitters, big home run numbers often come with bloated strikeout numbers. In just 37 at-bats since his promotion, Carson has struck out 13 times.

Carson, who missed close to two months of action, points to his lack of pitch recognition as one of the main reasons for his high punch-out numbers.

“”My pitch recognition is off right now. I’m swinging at a ton of bad pitches and it’s been very frustrating,” said Carson. “When I finally have good at-bats and swing at good pitches, I’ve been missing them.”

“I want to and need to improve my pitch recognition. It’s a huge part of baseball and if I can improve that, my strikeouts should drop.”

Former Tampa and current Trenton teammate Grant Plumley believes Carson will have a bright future due to his natural ability and constant hard work on and off the field.

“He’s a hard working guy. You always see him taking extra batting practice or lifting in the weight room,” said Trenton shortstop Grant Plumley. “He obviously can hit but he’s a real good outfielder with a strong arm. He had injuries early in the season but he’s bounced back big time.”

The 2006 season has been a long and strange season due to injuries and high strikeout totals for Matt Carson, but if he can continue to play the way he has the last few days, all the adversity will be worth it.

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