Texas Rangers Prospect Evan Carter Moves to Development List

Evan Carter, the Texas Rangers' No. 1 overall prospect, has played like one so far at Double-A Frisco this season.

Texas Rangers

Texas Rangers No. 1 prospect Evan Carter moved to the organization’s development list on Friday, which brought up a natural question — what is the development list?

Here’s what it is not. First, it’s not an injured list. Minor league teams have separate lists for that. Second, it’s not a suspended list.

It’s basically a multi-purpose place to move players for a variety of reasons, though clubs don’t typically release why.

For Carter, per multiple reports, the reason was to give him some rest. His numbers say that he’s earned it.

In his third minor-league season, Carter is slashing .276/.404/.387/.791 with four home runs and 25 RBI in 41 games. Carter did deal with a minor hand injury earlier this season, but only missed a few games as a result.

To take the at-bats for Carter in center field, the organization moved J.P. Martinez down from Triple-A Round Rock.

Carter’s move to the developmental list is unlikely to impact his trajectory to the Majors. He is MLB.com’s No. 1 prospect and took over that spot when Rangers third baseman Josh Jung graduated early this season. Baseball America already had Carter as the organization’s No. 1 prospect before the season began.

Carter’s blend of bat speed, athleticism and fielding ability could make him a potential call-up for the Rangers in case of an injury. The club can also make him a call-up when rosters expand in September.

Promoting him would come with one caveat — Carter isn’t yet on the 40-man roster. The 2020 second-round pick is just 20 years old. Moving him to the 40-man and, potentially, to the active roster, would start his service clock.

Carter may be ready sooner than the Rangers think — but not before he takes a little break.

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