The Houston Astros’ Chris Carter has mastered the art of the strikeout.  This would be great news for Astros fans, if Carter were a pitcher.  However, he is the Astros’ everyday left fielder.  If it weren’t for his productive numbers when he actually makes contact with the ball, he would probably be riding the pine most of the season.  Despite his 61 strikeouts so far this year, Carter has nine home runs, 22 runs batted in, and has drawn 17 walks.  So, you can see why manager Bo Porter is hesitant to remove him from the lineup at this point, especially because the Astros need all the production they can get.

So, is it feasible for Carter to break the all-time record for strikeouts in a single season (223) set by Mark Reynolds in 2009?  Unless something drastic happens to Carter’s swing, the answer is yes.  He is on pace to strikeout 235 times this season, which by comparison, would absolutely obliterate Reynolds’ record.  However, I’m sure Reynolds wouldn’t mind if Carter took his spot in the record books next to this mark.  Adam Dunn’s bid to tie Reynolds’ record last year was foiled when he fell one strikeout shy, for a total of 222.

The factors are all there for Carter to have a chance at breaking the strikeout record this year.  He is obviously having trouble seeing the ball out of pitchers’ hands, something that isn’t able to be instantly corrected.  Also, manger Bo Porter doesn’t really have another option in the outfield that will produce like Carter has at the plate, so he will continue to be an everyday player.  To add a twist to this plot, I would also look at the Toronto Blue Jays’ Colby Rasmus as a candidate to break Reynolds’ strikeout record this year.  He shares many of the same characteristics as Carter this year, and will also continue to see regular playing time.  Rasmus is only three strikeouts behind Carter at this point with 58.