Last season, Detroit Tigers fans had their eyes on Tarik Skubal, but let's not overlook the impressive strides made by outfielder Kerry Carpenter. Carpenter truly had a breakout year, stepping up to the plate in a career-high 130 games and delivering a solid .252/.291/.497 slash line, along with 26 home runs and 62 RBIs. Those numbers might have been even more impressive if not for a hamstring strain that sidelined him for 22 games.
While Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene led the team with 31 and 36 home runs respectively, Carpenter's power at the plate shouldn't be underestimated. As he heads into his fifth MLB season, Carpenter's understanding of the game has matured, and he's poised to make an even bigger impact if he stays healthy.
There's a buzz around Carpenter potentially leading the Tigers offensively this year. Joel Reuter from Bleacher Report suggests that with more opportunities against left-handed pitching and a clean bill of health, Carpenter could very well pace the team in home runs for 2026.
Projections for Greene indicate a dip from his 36 homers last year to 29 this season, with Torkelson expected to match that number. While FanGraphs predicts lower totals for Carpenter, his efficiency at the plate is noteworthy. He averaged a home run every 17.8 plate appearances, outpacing both Torkelson and Greene.
The key for Carpenter will be maximizing his at-bats. If he can do that, his power could indeed make him the offensive leader for Detroit, potentially outslugging his teammates and becoming a pivotal force in the Tigers' lineup.