Evan Carter DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter did not make the Opening Day roster and is being optioned to Triple-A Round Rock. Carter made his MLB debut during the 2023 campaign and played a critical role during their World Series run. Across his first 23 games in the majors, Carter posted a strong .306/.413/.645 slash line with four doubles and five home runs. During the postseason, he continued to produce as he held a strong .300/.417/.500 line. However, in 2024, Carter dealt with a lingering back injury, which eventually cut his season short after just 45 contests. During spring training, Carter struggled as he posted an underwhelming .154/.214/.205 slash line. Fantasy managers should expect Carter to compete for an early return to the big leagues, especially if he finds his footing at the top level of the minor leagues. In Texas, Leody Taveras will likely see most of the opportunities in center field to start the season.

Texas Rangers outfielders Evan Carter and Leody Taveras could start the year in a platoon in center field, according to MLB.com's Kennedi Landry. Neither player has hit lefties well, but Carter has really struggled, hitting .081/.150/.081 with three total hits against lefties in the big leagues since debuting late in the 2023 season. He has five strikeouts in seven at-bats against southpaws in spring training. The 22-year-old just hasn't had much exposure to high-leverage lefties in the big leagues in only 68 regular-season games played. He also played just 45 games in 2024 due to a back injury that the team is still managing. Carter expects to improve against lefties in time, but the Rangers might just continue avoid having him face them. Between recurring back issues and the fact that he won't play regularly, Carter's fantasy upside is limited in 2025.

The Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant writes that outfielder Evan Grant's stock is trending up of late as it pertains to potentially making the Opening Day roster out of camp. Grant adds that Carter has eased concerns about tentativeness in his swing during minor-league and Cactus League games this spring. While Leody Taveras may be winning the competition for the center field job, it appears that the 22-year-old should make the Opening Day roster as outfield depth for Texas to begin the year. Carter debuted in the majors late in the 2023 season and looked like a seasoned veteran on the way to helping the Ranger win the World Series that fall. However, the former second-rounder was limited to 45 games in 2024 and eventually needed surgery for a stress reaction in his lower back. He's now merely attempting to bounce back, and because of his struggles against lefties, a best-case scenario (at least early on) is a platoon role for the young outfielder.