Matthew Martin Lee Carpenter (born November 26, 1985) is an American professional baseball infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut with the Cardinals on June 4, 2011. He has been their primary leadoff hitter since early in the 2013 season. A left-handed batter and right-handed thrower, Carpenter stands 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) and weighs 205 pounds (93 kg).
Since becoming a regular player for the Cardinals in 2013, Carpenter has spent considerable time at first base, second base and third base. The Cardinals selected him in the 13th round of the 2009 MLB draft from Texas Christian University (TCU). A three-time second-team All Mountain West Conference selectee, he broke TCU's school record for games played and at bats and is second in hits, doubles and walks. He was the Cardinals' organization Player of the Year in 2010. A three-time MLB All-Star Game selection, he became the first Silver Slugger Award winner at second base in Cardinals franchise history after leading the major leagues in hits, runs scored and doubles in 2013. He is signed through 2019 with an option for 2020.