Mike Carp: What Texas Rangers Fan Need to Know

The Texas Rangers claimed outfielder Mike Carp on waivers from the Boston Red Sox on Sunday. The Rangers placed catcher Chris Gimenez on MLB’s Paternity Leave List this afternoon and added Carp to their 25-man roster.

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Mike Carp did not play for the entire month of June for the Red Sox due to a fractured right foot. After batting .125 with just one run, two hits and three RBI, the Boston Red Sox designated Carp for assignment on Friday.

Although Carp is listed as an outfielder, he has played the majority of this season at first base and in left field. I’m expecting the Texas Rangers to start him at first base, even though J.P. Arencibia has done a pretty good job there. (I can’t believe I said that!)

Since I do feel as though JPA has played very well since being called up and Carp came back in July, I decided to look at their numbers to see if Carp is a better option for first base.

J.P. ARENCIBIA: Arencibia played 13 games and had 50 plate appearances for the month of July. In those appearances JPA had 6 runs, 12 hits with two doubles, 5 home runs and 16 RBI. Yes, you read that correctly, 12 HITS, 5 HR and 16RBI. He has a slash line of .255/.300/.617 for the month as well.

MIKE CARP: For the month of July Carp had 21 plate appearances with one run, two hits, no home runs and three RBI in 9 games played. His slash line for July is .125/.333/.250.

Now, for those of you who may think that I’m being biased and only going by July numbers to make JPA look outstanding, have a look at Mike Carp’s numbers for the 2014 season, but keep in mind he did miss the entire month of June.

Mike Carp – 2014 Season: In 42 games and 103 plate appearances Carp has 9 runs, 17 hits with 5 doubles and one triple, and 9 RBI. Mike Carp has a batting line of .198/.320/.279 for the season.

Numbers aside, I am fairly excited to have Mike Carp, who did win a World Series last year, on the Texas Rangers roster. I’m anticipating that Ron Washington will split playing time between JPA and Mike Carp at first base, the way he did Donnie Murphy and Josh Wilson at second.

This season hasn’t been what any Rangers fan expected, so why not add another player and see what he can contribute for the remaining of the season? Who knows, maybe Carp will make a case to stay with the Texas Rangers and get an invite to Spring Training.

Mike Carp is in tonight’s lineup against the Chicago White Sox batting 5th and playing at first base. He will be the 10th player to play 1B this season and the 55th overall player the Texas Rangers have used this season, matching the club-record set in 2008.

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