Rangers’ Evan Carter Remains Humble Entering Rookie Season
Evan Carter still can’t believe how drastically his life has changed.
In January, the 21-year-old outfielder found himself signing autographs at a Dallas-area baseball card show. He signed more than 400 items before signing for fans who paid as much as $125 for his signature.
He was readying for spring training in relative obscurity the same time a year ago.
“I feel a little bit spoiled,” he said.
Carter didn’t make his MLB debut until Sept. 8 and then was a postseason standout as the Rangers won the first World Series in franchise history.
He’s now a big league star, even with 62 regular-season at-bats and 60 more in the postseason. But he understands that the nature of baseball can make him feel like a Class A player if he doesn’t stay on top of things.
“No matter how good you’re doing, it’s got a funny way of showing you you’re not very good real quick,” Carter said. “(I try to) just have fun between the highs and lows and be able to stay as consistent as possible.”
Carter learned that early last season at Double-A Frisco, when he was hit in the wrist by a pitch and then smacked in nearly the same spot a week later on a pickoff throw. He tried to play through the pain, which led to some bad swing habits and a trip to extended spring training to get straightened out.
In 108 minor league games he hit .288/.413/.450 with 13 home runs and 26 stolen bases.
While Carter hit .308 with 16 extra-base hits in his first 40 MLB games—including the postseason—he’s going struggle at times as a rookie, just as every hitter does. But he also has a disciplined approach and valuable experience on baseball’s biggest stage to help shorten the slumps.
“The ‘unknown factor’ is out now, and he knows he can play in the major leagues,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “He has that experience. (He knows) the kind of pitching he is going to have to handle and the defense he has to play.”
RANGERS ROUNDUP
— Outfielder Wyatt Langford was one of the Rangers’ 10 internal non-roster invitees to big league camp. Among the others joining him are righthander Jack Leiter, outfielder Aaron Zavala and first baseman Abimelec Ortiz, the Rangers’ reigning minor league player of the year.
— Outfielder Paulino Santana was among the international prospects who took part in the Rangers’ annual winter program at their complex in the Dominican Republic. The Rangers signed Santana on Jan. 15 for $1.3 million.
