Texas Rangers Evan Carter Has Two-Homer Spring Game Against Mariners
Move over, Wyatt Langford. There’s a new Texas Rangers outfielder stealing the spotlight. Evan Carter, the Rangers’ projected Opening Day left fielder, made sure fans remembered his power with a pair of homers, including a second-inning grand slam, during a 10-9 Cactus League win over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday. Carter was 2 for 3 with five RBI. The Rangers rookie wasted little time at the plate, smashing the third pitch off right-hander Logan Gilbert
over the right-center field wall for a lead-off blast, giving Texas a quick 1-0 lead. In the second, Gilbert walked Travis Jankowski and allowed back-to-back hitters to reach base and load the bases. Carter waited for another high fastball on a 1-0 count to send it onto the berm in right-center field, making it 6-2. Langford, Texas’ 2023 first-round pick, has been terrorizing the Cactus League in hopes of securing a permanent spot on the roster. The Rangers No. 2
prospect has already hit three long balls, including two against the White Sox last weekend, to go along with his 1.322 OPS. Carter isn’t far behind in the headline game. In addition to the two deep shots, the Tennessee native made an impressive glove grab near the left-field wall to end the second inning.
Through seven games, Carter is slashing .389/.400/.778 with a 1.178 OPS. His seven hits rank second only behind Langford.
Carter, the Rangers’ No. 1 prospect, has been the team’s lucky charm since being called up in early September. Texas might not have made it past the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series without Carter. Langford might be the name catching fan’s attention this spring, but Carter’s consistency could be the reason Texas leaves Surpise with positive feelings about its offense.
