Carpenter was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 19th round,with the 562nd overall selection,of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft.[3] Carpenter signed with the Tigers and split his first professional season between the rookie–level Gulf Coast League Tigers and Low–A Connecticut Tigers,batting .303 with nine home runs and 35 RBI over 47 games. He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] Carpenter spent 2021 with the Double–A Erie SeaWolves and hit .262 with 15 home runs,74 RBI,and 24 doubles over 112 games.[5] He returned to Erie to open the 2022 season.[6] He was named Eastern League Player of the Month for May.[7] After batting .304 with 22 home runs and 48 RBI over 63 games with Erie,he was promoted to the Triple–A Toledo Mud Hens in late June.[8]
Carpenter with the Mud Hens in 2022
On August 10,2022,the Tigers selected Carpenter's contract and added him to the Major League roster.[9] He made his MLB debut the same day as Detroit's starting designated hitter,going hitless over four at-bats.[10] He collected his first MLB hit on August 14,a single versus the Chicago White Sox.[11] Carpenter hit his first MLB home run on August 15 off of Eli Morgan of the Cleveland Guardians.[12] For the 2023 season,Carpenter played in 118 games,batting .278 with 20 home runs and 64 RBI.
Carpenter began the 2024 campaign with Detroit,hitting .283 with eight home runs and 29 RBI across 50 games. He was placed on the injured list with lumbar spine inflammation on May 29,2024.[13] Carpenter was transferred to the 60–day injured list on July 21.[14] He was activated on August 13.[15] In his return,Carpenter hit two home runs against the Seattle Mariners. In the regular season,Carpenter hit .284 with 18 home runs and 57 RBI in 87 games. On October 7,in Game 2 of the 2024 American League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians,Carpenter hit a three-run home run with two outs in the top of the ninth inning off of Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase,who had given up only 2 home runs in 74.1 innings,breaking a 0–0 tie and leading to a 3–0 Tigers win.
He finished the 2024 postseason batting .306 with four home runs and 10 RBI across eight games,emerging as one of Detroit's key offensive contributors during their playoff run.
On June 2,2025,Carpenter hit three home runs in a 13–1 Tigers victory over the Chicago White Sox. It was the first three-homer game of his career,and the first by a Tiger since Victor Martínez in 2016.[16] Carpenter was placed on the 10-day injured list with a hamstring injury on July 2,2025.[17]
Playing style
Carpenter is known for his power-hitting ability,especially against right-handed pitchers.[18] His compact left-handed swing and ability to generate loft have contributed to consistent home run production throughout his professional career.[19] While primarily a corner outfielder,Carpenter has also seen time as a designated hitter.[20] Scouts and analysts have noted his improved plate discipline and since entering the major leagues.[21]
Personal life
Carpenter is a Christian. He has said,“My goal,basically,is to just be as great as I possibly can be,to reach my full potential. And I personally believe the only way to do that is through Jesus Christ. That’s the foundation. That’s the rock. He’ll guide me and lead me wherever,but that’s kind of the way I think I can honor Him through this sport that I play.”[22]
In December 2023,Carpenter became engaged to Lauren Burke,a former collegiate softball player who played for the Oregon Ducks and Texas Longhorns.[23]
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