In an intriguing move on Sunday, the Texas Rangers decided to shake things up a bit by positioning Evan Carter in the No. 2 spot in their batting order against the Los Angeles Dodgers. This isn’t something the Rangers have done often, especially considering Carter’s recent struggles against left-handed pitchers, where he’s yet to register a hit in seven attempts this season.

Typically, Wyatt Langford holds the No. 2 position, but with a nagging quad issue sidelining him for the second consecutive game, Texas saw an opportunity to experiment with Carter. Prior to this game, Carter hadn’t batted higher than sixth in the order this season. But the gamble paid off, as Carter went 1-for-3 and launched his second home run in just three games, hinting at his potential future role within the lineup.

This was Carter’s first time in the No. 2 spot since the 2024 season, a year cut short for him due to a back injury. Throughout his career, Carter has been something of a chameleon in the batting order, having occupied every spot except leadoff before his 2024 setback. Last season, he was mainly seen in the Nos. 5, 6, and 7 spots, with a brief stint as a leadoff hitter where he struggled, batting just .077 over nine games.

Sunday marked only Carter’s third appearance in the No. 2 spot, but he made it count with a home run and two walks, boosting his season slash line to .233/.365/.442 with two homers and four RBIs. His nine walks against 12 strikeouts also highlight his disciplined approach at the plate, a quality that could make him a valuable asset as a No. 2 hitter in the future.

Pairing Carter’s on-base skills with Brandon Nimmo, who boasts a .433 OBP through 15 games, could provide the Rangers with a formidable one-two punch at the top of their lineup. Meanwhile, Langford, despite his early-season struggles with a .170/.185/.340 slash line, showed last season that he can be a reliable No. 2 hitter with a .344 OBP. If Carter continues to develop into a consistent performer in the No. 2 slot, the Rangers will have more flexibility in their lineup construction.

This could potentially lead to a dynamic lineup configuration with Carter and Langford sandwiching Nimmo and batting ahead of Corey Seager, who could then move into the cleanup spot. Alternatively, Carter could be placed at No. 5 behind Jake Burger, providing the current clean-up hitter with much-needed protection.

While it’s still early and the sample size is small, Carter’s performance in the No. 2 spot offers a glimpse of what could be a promising long-term strategy for the Rangers. If he continues to thrive in this role, it could spell good things for Texas as they look to maximize their lineup’s potential.