Despite missing time due to injuries, MLB writer believes Evan Carter is positioned for solid season.
As the days dwindle down to Opening Day, Evan Carter hopes to stay healthy this season for the Texas Rangers.
Carter has played center field for the Rangers and, when healthy, has been pretty good. Yet is Carter positioned to have a breakout season in 2026?
In looking ahead to this season, MLB writer Keith Law of The Athletic, in a story about potential breakout players in the majors this season, points out Carter. But Law doesn't see Carter as an everyday player. He's thinking Carter has a breakout season, but in a platoon situation.
"This one comes with an asterisk: I think Carter will break out, but as a platoon player," Law wrote. "He hits right-handed pitching well enough to see him playing like an All-Star against them.
"His 2025 season was ruined by multiple fluky injuries, only one of which (a lower back strain) is a long-term concern since he’s previously had a stress fracture in that part of his back," Law continued.
Carter's 2025 numbers included a slash line of .247/.392/.728 with five home runs and 14 stolen bases.
Now, if Rangers fans look at his 2023 numbers, Carter, in 62 at-bats, had five home runs, three stolen bases, and a slash line of .306/.645/1.058. Those numbers were outstanding and gave Texas fans hope that they'd found a superstar to roam Globe Life Field.
Law makes the case that he thinks Carter will step up and stand out for the Rangers this season.
"He has never hit lefties in the majors, going 5-for-60 with no extra-base hits and 21 strikeouts, so I’m not going to predict any change there, but he’s healthy right now, and I expect him to fulfill at least some of the promise he showed in the Rangers’ run to the championship in 2023," Law wrote.
Carter is one of those players who, once he gets going, can have a positive influence on his teammates. He's been steady and productive when he's healthy.
The big thing for Carter right now is to remain healthy. Of course, Rangers manager Skip Schumaker and the Rangers' medical team are going to do their best to make sure that happens.
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