Evan Carter’s Rangers Future Cloudy After Another Season Limited by Injuries

Primary Starter: Evan Carter (63 G, .247/.336/.392, .728 OPS, 5 HR, 25 RBI, 9 2B, 2 3B, 31 R, 14 SB). Other Significant Contributors: Wyatt Langford (134 G, .241/.344/.431, .775 OPS, 22 HR, 62 RBI, 25 2B, 1 3B, 73 R, 22 SB), Sam Haggerty, Michael Helman.

Fielding Stats: Carter: 1.000 fielding percentage, 460 innings, 125 chances, 123 putouts, two assists, no errors, no double plays. Langford: 994 fielding percentage, 1,160.2 innings, 308 chances, 302 putouts, four assists, two errors, no double plays.

Season Notes

Carter entered the season at Triple-A Round Rock. The Rangers wanted to him to continue to work on a swing path that would put less stress on his back. Leody Taveras, who played 30 games before he was designated for assignment, handled center field until he was ready.

But Carter couldn’t stay off the IL, though it wasn’t his back that limited him for the most part. He was on the IL for a quad strain, back spasms and a wrist fracture, the last of which ended his season. It limited him to 63 games. But his numbers — especially his fielding and his stolen bases — offer a glimpse of the player the Rangers hope he can become. But he simply hasn’t been that player since 2023.

Langford slid into center field when needed, but the Rangers would prefer to keep him in left field. Helman (.232/.290/.455, 5 HR, 20 RBI) and Haggerty (.253/.328/.370, 2 HR, 13 RBI) can play multiple outfield positions and impressed the Rangers with their versatility, defense and speed. Helmen became an asset during the “Little Rascals” period late in the season. Haggerty missed the last month of the season with a foot injury.

Team Control/Free Agency

Carter is a pre-arbitration player and under team control. Langford is entering his third year of team control and is not yet eligible for arbitration. Haggerty is under team control and eligible for third-year arbitration. Helman is a pre-arbitration player and under team control.

What’s Next?

The Rangers really want this to work. Carter is only 23 years old, and he showed a rare blend of power and speed in the minor leagues that translates to being a starting center fielder in the Majors. But the injuries have been frequent. The good news is the back really wasn’t the issue, aside from the spasms that kept him out for 10 days. The wrist fracture was unfortunate. He likely would have played nearly 100 games without that injury.

It calls into question his future in 2026. Can he be counted on to remain healthy? That’s the question the Rangers must answer. The good news is the franchise has coverage between the potential to move Langford to center field, along with Haggerty and Helman. All four are cheap enough, for now, to bring to spring training and let them figure it out.