One day after one of the game’s best prospects get the call up to the Majors, another big name will be headed to The Show. The Texas Rangers have called up outfielder Evan Carter from the Minors, after a standout 2023 campaign and a key injury to one of the team’s stars. Here’s a closer look at what Carter can do.
Related: What to Expect from Diamondbacks Infielder Jordan Lawlar
A Look at Carter
The Texas Rangers selected Evan Carter in the second round of the 2020 MLB Draft. The selection of Carter was an interesting one, given that he didn’t rank highly on public prospect lists. In fact, Carter didn’t land a spot on the MLB.com top 200 draft prospect rankings that year.
But after the Rangers signed him for $1.25M in the summer of 2020, Carter’s developed into a budding star.
Evan Carter spent a healthy chunk of 2021 on the IL, but broke out last season when he hit .295/.397/.489 with 12 home runs, 28 stolen bases, 43 extra base hits, and a very impressive 81:64 K:BB ratio over 106 games. The 21-year-old returned to Frisco (AA) — where he ended 2022 — for the 2023 campaign and hit .284 with 12 home runs and 33 extra base hits over 97 games.
The Rangers outfielder was promoted last week, and hit .353 in six games before the promotion.
On paper, Carter’s the type of hitter that could fit very nicely at the top of the Rangers lineup for years to come. The 21-year-old works counts and walks, and that skill helped Carter post a career OBP of .410.
The new Ranger possesses good power and bat-to-ball skills at the dish, and it’s certainly not out of the question that he could wind up as a 20-20 player at the MLB level.
Carter is set to get his first taste of the Majors after Adolis Garcia landed on the IL with a strained patellar tendon.
What it Means for the Rangers and Fantasy Outlook
It’s been an odd second half for the Texas Rangers, who entered play on September 7 outside of a playoff spot in the American League. That might seem shocking given the years that Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, among others, have had. But, Texas’ issues are apparent.
Despite a strong first half, injuries and a struggling bullpen have pushed the Rangers back in the hunt. Besides the loss of Jacob deGrom, Texas was without Nathan Eovaldi for much of the second half. Rookie third baseman Josh Jung is still on the IL as he recovers from a left thumb fracture. Now, a big bat in Garcia is out.
The Rangers have had trouble producing runs since the start of July. Through the first 48 games in the second half, the Rangers have scored 231 runs (4.8 R/G) and own a negative run differential. That’s very different from the 5.8 R/G Texas put up prior to the All-Star break.
Carter’s expected to be part of the next wave of Rangers stars, which includes a number of highly-touted pitching prospects and fellow outfielder Wyatt Langford. But for right now, the Rangers will ask Evan Carter to stem the tide amidst a wave of injuries.
As far as Carter’s fantasy outlook is concerned, the young outfielder has the potential to be a 20-20 player in the future. His speed and bat are tantalizing, but it’ll be interesting to see how quickly the 21-year-old adjusts to the MLB level.
Consider him a name to watch.
