Year in Review: After leading the minors in total bases in 2008, Carter used a monstrous second half to tie for the minor-league lead in 2009.
The Good: Carter has top-of-the-charts power, with natural loft and backspin as well as the kind of strength where he doesn’t have to pull a ball or even make full contact for it to fly over the wall. He made impressive adjustments against more advanced pitching to close up some holes in his swing, reducing his strikeout rate as the season wore on, leaving most to believe he’ll hit for average as well. Combined with a good feel for the strike zone, he could put up big numbers in all three triple-slash categories.
The Bad: Carter will always have a high strikeout rate, as it’s just a product of his offensive game, but he still has a tendency to chase at times. Despite putting in a lot of work defensively, he remains a below-average first baseman.
Ephemera: In his last 52 games for Double-A Midland, Carter had one of the longest extended hot streaks of the year, batting a remarkable .412 (82-for-199) with 18 doubles and 12 home runs.
Perfect World Projection: He’s likely to be a .280- to .300-hitting first baseman with 30-40 home runs annually.

Don’t look back. Something might be gaining on you.