Evan Carter Resting Against Lefty
Evan Carter, first baseman Jared Walsh and infielder Josh Smith are all starting on the bench on Thursday against the visiting Oakland Athletics and left-hander JP Sears. Carter is by far the biggest fantasy name of the trio. The 21-year-old youngster will take his second game off of the season. After really impressing in his first 23 regular-season games for the Rangers before helping them win the World Series last fall, Carter has been sluggish at the plate early on in 2024, going 7-for-37 (.189) with a home run, three RBI, and a steal. The good news is he's walked (nine times) more than he's struck out (six times) in his first 11 games. Rookie Wyatt Langford is in left and hitting third, Ezequiel Duran is at first and batting sixth, and Davis Wendzel is at third and hitting seventh for Texas on Thursday against Sears.
Source: MLB.com
Texas Rangers outfielder Source: MLB.com
Evan Carter Likely To Be Recalled On Tuesday
Evan Carter before Tuesday's series opener in Boston against the Red Sox, according to general manager Chris Young. It remains to be seen if Carter will be in the starting lineup at Fenway Park, but he has earned a promotion back to the big leagues for the first time in 2025 after heating up at the plate recently at Triple-A Round Rock. The 22-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder hit .221/.333/.416 with three home runs, nine RBI, six steals and 13 runs scored in 21 games at Round Rock. Although Carter hit just .188 (27-for-144) with 43 K's, five homers and 15 RBI in 45 games in 2024 and has dealt with injuries, he could get a shot as Texas' primary center fielder
against right-handed pitchers moving forward after the team recently cut Leody Taveras. In just 23 regular-season games his rookie year, Carter hit .306/.413/.645 with five homers and 12 RBI.
Source: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
The Texas Rangers are likely going to recall outfielder Source: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
Evan Carter Optioned To Triple-A
Evan Carter did not make the Opening Day roster and is being optioned to Triple-A Round Rock. Carter made his MLB debut during the 2023 campaign and played a critical role during their World Series run. Across his first 23 games in the majors, Carter posted a strong .306/.413/.645 slash line with four doubles and five home runs. During the postseason, he continued to produce as he held a strong .300/.417/.500 line. However, in 2024, Carter dealt with a lingering back injury, which eventually cut his season short after just 45 contests. During spring training, Carter struggled as he posted an underwhelming .154/.214/.205 slash line. Fantasy managers should expect Carter to compete for an early return to the big leagues, especially if he finds his footing at the top level of the minor leagues. In Texas, Leody Taveras will likely see most of the opportunities in center field to start the season.
Source: Evan Grant
Texas Rangers outfielder Source: Evan Grant
Evan Carter, Leody Taveras Could Platoon In Center Field
Evan Carter and Leody Taveras could start the year in a platoon in center field, according to MLB.com's Kennedi Landry. Neither player has hit lefties well, but Carter has really struggled, hitting .081/.150/.081 with three total hits against lefties in the big leagues since debuting late in the 2023 season. He has five strikeouts in seven at-bats against southpaws in spring training. The 22-year-old just hasn't had much exposure to high-leverage lefties in the big leagues in only 68 regular-season games played. He also played just 45 games in 2024 due to a back injury that the team is still managing. Carter expects to improve against lefties in time, but the Rangers might just continue avoid having him face them. Between recurring back issues and the fact that he won't play regularly, Carter's fantasy upside is limited in 2025.
Source: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
Texas Rangers outfielders Source: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
Evan Carter Trending Toward Making Opening Day Roster
Leody Taveras may be winning the competition for the center field job, it appears that the 22-year-old should make the Opening Day roster as outfield depth for Texas to begin the year. Carter debuted in the majors late in the 2023 season and looked like a seasoned veteran on the way to helping the Ranger win the World Series that fall. However, the former second-rounder was limited to 45 games in 2024 and eventually needed surgery for a stress reaction in his lower back. He's now merely attempting to bounce back, and because of his struggles against lefties, a best-case scenario (at least early on) is a platoon role for the young outfielder.
Source: Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
The Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant writes that outfielder Evan Grant's stock is trending up of late as it pertains to potentially making the Opening Day roster out of camp. Grant adds that Carter has eased concerns about tentativeness in his swing during minor-league and Cactus League games this spring. While Source: Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
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