Zero Fear: Rookie Evan Carter Starring Quickly for Texas Rangers
The approach at the plate for Texas Rangers rookie Evan Carter sounds simple enough.
“I look down the middle in every at-bat and if something is close to down the middle, I’m swinging at it,” he said. “That’s what I’ve always done.”
Can’t argue with the results, no matter how simplistic is comes across. Carter has made it look easy ever since joining the Rangers two weeks ago after an extremely short stint at Triple-A Round Rock.
The 21-year-old outfielder starred again in Friday’s 8-5 win over the Seattle Mariners, with a three-run home run and two runs scored.
Evan Carter (left) has fit right into the Rangers lineup since being called up.
“It’s actually really fun to watch,” Texas shortstop Corey Seager said of Carter. “The kid has zero fear. He’s going out there and playing free and being himself. He’s not trying to do too much. He’s just staying within himself. It’s pretty special.”
Not only has Carter fit right in, he’s helped Texas (85-68) win ballgames. The Rangers, winners of three straight, are back in first place in the American League West.
The division race with the Houston Astros (85-69) and Mariners, as well as the Wild Card hunt, is front and center for Carter. Texas and Seattle (84-69) play the second game of the series Saturday at 6:05 p.m.
“I know how important this is and I know how close everything is,” he said, “but at the same time, I play best when I’m relaxed, so I’m just trying to treat each game like it’s just another game of baseball.”
The poise and plate discipline showed by Carter has belied his experience. The eighth-ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline has set a franchise record by reaching safely in 13 straight games with a plate appearance to begin his MLB career.
Carter has scored a team-high 12 runs since Sept. 11, which also leads all American Leaguers. In his last 11 games, Carter is batting .344 BA (11-for-32) with three homers, a triple, two doubles, seven RBI and two steals.
The pressure of being in the bigs, at least for now, isn’t too much for Carter.
“It doesn’t look like it, which is pretty cool,” Seager said. “It speaks to his character, speaks of his personality and speaks to the player he is. He’s just confident in who he is.”
Bruce Bochy has seen his fair share of talented rookies over the years, and Carter has quickly made an impression on the veteran skipper.
“I’ve had some pretty good players that were rookies and did a great job, and he’s right up there with how he’s handled everything,” Bochy said. “He just has a quiet confidence about him. Very calm. He plays the game. He slows it down. He’s taking close pitches, does a good job in the outfield, so he’s just been a shot in the arm for us.”
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