Where Will Texas Rangers Place Evan Carter In 2024 Batting Order?
NASHVILLE — Evan Carter did not care where he hit in the Texas Rangers lineup. He was just thrilled to be playing in the big leagues.
When he was called up in early September, the rookie outfielder gave the club a needed boost and helped lead them to a World Series title.
Carter was used at the bottom of the order for most of his time during the final three weeks of the regular season, but also hit leadoff once and third twice.
As the postseason progressed, manager Bruce Bochy hit him fifth four times, third nine times, and cleanup twice. So where can we expect Carter in 2024?
Leadoff seems to be an ideal spot for the speedy 21-year-old. Marcus Semien would have to be on board with moving down a spot or two for that to happen.
Where will Carter, who will still be a rookie in 2024, help the Rangers most?
"I don't know where you couldn't hit him," Bochy said during the MLB Winter Meetings at the Gaylor Opryland Resort. "We hit him ninth, and that was nice how he turned over the lineup and got to the top of our order. A guy like that, with his discipline and his ability to get the barrel on the ball and hit the way he does, fits anywhere in your lineup. He can adjust to the pitcher that you are facing that day."
Bochy wasn't ready to broach the topic of Carter batting leadoff. Perhaps it will be addressed at spring training.
"Lead-off could be a spot. Right now, it's not a spot, but yeah, I think he would be a good lead-off hitter," he said. "I think he would be a good two-hole hitter. He has not hit in the two-hole right yet. I think he could [hit in] three, four spots, to be honest."
One thing is certain: The Rangers expect Carter to be an everyday player in left or, perhaps, center, no matter where he's placed in the batting order.
"When a guy gets a chance to play in the Major Leagues and, of course, in the postseason, he has an idea what it's about," Bochy said. "The unknown factor is out now, and he knows he can play in the Major Leagues. He has shown that. Once you do it, you can do it again. That's not there for him as he goes into spring training. He has that experience and knows what it's like to play in the Major Leagues. The kind of pitching he is going to have to handle and the defense he has to play and things like that, he'll go into spring training with that much more confidence."
He just won't know where he'll bat.
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