Texas Rangers Rookie Evan Carter Gets First Home Run Ball, Not Sure Where to Keep It

Texas Rangers rookie outfielder Evan Carter is showing he belongs after just four MLB games.

Texas Rangers staffers are going to do something special to commemorate the first MLB home run hit by Evan Carter.

Carter was plenty appreciative … even if he’s not quite sure where it will be housed this offseason.

“They’re going to put it in in a little case,” he said after Monday night’s 10-4 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. “It’s going to go wherever we go in the offseason – I don’t even know yet. Gonna put it up and it’s going to be a really cool thing to have.”

There’s a good chance the Carters might be looking for a home in or around Arlington.

The rookie outfielder – officially considered the top prospect in the Rangers system – might be with the team to stay. His play just four games (three starts) into his Rangers career is clearly not a big enough sample size to make a decision for next season, but the early returns couldn’t be more promising.

Carter, 21, is slashing .333/.417/.667 with two RBI, two walks and three runs scored. His no-doubt homer to lead off the third inning traveled 406 feet into the right-field seats and tied the game 2-2.

Carter added a single in the fifth and scored. In the bottom of the inning, he threw out Toronto’s Kevin Kiermaier at home from left field to preserve a 3-2 lead.

Carter finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an outfield assist.

Have a night, rook!

Evan Carter goes 2-for-4 including a solo home run in the 3rd inning.
@Rangers | #StraightUpTX | 📺: BSSW pic.twitter.com/NT7QHLKk2o

— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) September 12, 2023

But the first questions Carter fielded in the postgame clubhouse were about his solo blast.

“It was an unbelievable feeling,” he said. “Obviously, everybody dreams about that moment, so hopefully they’ll be many more down the road to come.”

His poise so far is telling, and reaffirmed the decision by the Rangers to call up Carter as All-Star outfielder Adolis García went on the injured list.

“A little bit of a confirmation that you can hold your own here and excel,” Carter said. “Just take that confidence leading into the next game and rest of the series.”

Carter isn’t with the big club just to take a roster spot. The Rangers are engaged in tight playoff race, so his contributions are needed if Texas is going to end a six-year postseason drought.

Carter admitted that jitters felt Friday in his MLB debut have largely calmed down, but he’s enjoying each first, like playing on the road for the first time as a big leaguer. Still, he’s here to do a job.

“When it gets down to it, it’s still baseball,” he said. “I’m just trying to relax and have fun with it.”

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