Carter Aldrete, 3B/1B
DOB: 10/12/1997
BATS: R / THROWS: R
ACQUIRED: Drafted 2019, 15th Round
LAST LEVEL: Double-A
VOLATILITY: High
GiantFutures 2023 Ranks: #3 Third Baseman
2022 Performance: Aldrete started the year with his second season at High-A Eugene, but powered his way out of the Northwest. Aldrete hit .289/.369/.545 for a .914 OPS over 74 games at the level, with 17 doubles and 15 home runs. He walked 31 times to 60 strikeouts (a 21% strikeout rate) at the level.
After getting promoted, Aldrete found himself challenged in Richmond, putting up a .231/.277/.413 batting line, with eight doubles and six home runs in 42 games, though his K/BB ratio dropped, with 10 walks to 43 strikeouts in 156 plate appearances.
Aldrete’s playing spot was affected by his teammates, with top prospect Casey Schmitt starting the season as Eugene’s third baseman. Aldrete started the season playing a lot of first base, but took over third a lot more once shortstop Marco Luciano went on the injured list and Schmitt covered shortstop. Aldrete also got games at both middle infield positions and right field.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Aldrete spent the offseason in Arizona to improve his athleticism, which paid off in getting work all over the field and holding up better over the season, and getting more chances to work on his swing and making better contact. That versatility might currently be his biggest strength as he goes up the ladder.
Aldrete’s best offensive tool is his raw power, which he was able to get into games in the 2022 season, with a total of 21 home runs and 25 doubles across 116 games. He still has strength to spare, but he needs to make more contact to reach it. Aldrete has a reputation for being a tough at-bat, and at times can draw his fair share of walks, but it’s come and gone over his pro career as he’s been challenged at the plate.
Defensively, Aldrete has versatility, but he isn’t a very strong defender at many spots. He has enough arm to handle any infield spot, and has enough range to be average in the outfield, but doesn’t stand out at any position currently. He had a lot of errors at third base, but did get the only non-Casey Schmitt vote for the league’s top third baseman in a Baseball America poll of NWL managers. He is also improving at first base. HIs speed on the basepaths isn’t a significant factor.
2023 Outlook: A return to Richmond is in the cards for Aldrete, and the hope is he’ll respond with a return engagement there the same way he did returning to Eugene in 2022. Aldrete will likely will be all over the diamond again, but with most of his time at the corners. Richmond has proved friendly to power hitters the last two seasons, so perhaps Aldrete can show off his power there.
Future Profile: Carter Aldrete is hard to profile. He’s got a bit of versatility, but he might end up playing the corners, with first base looking more and more likely. That’s pretty coincidental for the nephew of former Giants first baseman Mike Aldrete. Carter’s power is likely to be his calling card if he can make it, with enough power to profile at either corner with a low average and decent on-base percentage.
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