Bats/Throws: Left/Left

Height/Weight: 6’4”, 230 lbx

Acquired: 14^th rd 2007 (Hattiesburg HS)

Born: 1/23/89

2011 Rank: 30

Why Ranked Here: The Mets added hard-throwing left-hander Robert Carson, who turned 23 in January, to the 40-man roster in November in some indication that they view him as a piece of the team in the near term. He moves up three spots in part based on the Mets’ roster decision, in part on his own modest improvement in double-A and in part based on the simple fact that he throws hard.

He’s a big-bodied lefthander with fluid actions and some funk in his delivery. The funk actually could be construed as a double-edged sword: while it produces some deception, it’s also made it hard for him to find a consistent release point.

Carson throws hard sitting 93-95 mph.  He adds in a slider and a changeup.  Given his only mediocre numbers starting, the concept here is that he will flourish in a move to the bullpen eventually.

2011: The southpaw was a durable piece of Binghamton’s rotation. It’s hard to find much evidence of progress statistically for Carson over the course of 2011. The only month his K/BB exceeded two was April.

Carson made his first relief appearance of 2011 on the final day of the regular season, so perhaps that’s a sign of things to come.

In the Arizona Fall League, working in relief, he walked 12 and fanned 11 in 17.1 innings while giving up 17.1 hits.  That’s hardly confidence-inspiring.

Dr. Pangloss Says: Jonny Venters

Debbie Downer Says:  Cup of coffee, but not enough command.

Projected 2012 Start: AAA Buffalo

MLB Arrival: 2012

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