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Evan Carter\u2019s Next Step: More Lefties, More Growth, and a Bigger Spotlight in 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n Evan Carter has already delivered on a big chunk of the promise that made the Texas Rangers so high on him coming into the league. His breakout performance in 2023 gave fans and the front office a glimpse of what could be a cornerstone outfielder for years to come.<\/p>\n But as the Rangers look ahead to 2026, they\u2019re not just hoping Carter holds steady-they\u2019re pushing for him to evolve into a true all-around threat. And that means tackling the one area of his game that\u2019s still holding him back: hitting left-handed pitching.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s be honest, Carter\u2019s numbers against lefties so far haven\u2019t just been underwhelming-they\u2019ve been a clear weak spot. Across his first 131 MLB games, Carter has logged just 68 plate appearances against southpaws.<\/p>\n That\u2019s not a typo. In a league where matchups matter and platoons are the norm, 68 PAs is barely a sample size, but it\u2019s enough to show why the Rangers are concerned.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s the breakdown:<\/p>\n He went hitless, drew one walk, and struck out six times.<\/p>\n That\u2019s a combined .103 average against left-handed pitching across three seasons. No sugarcoating it-those are tough numbers.<\/p>\n But the real issue isn\u2019t just the production, it\u2019s the lack of reps. How is a young hitter supposed to improve against a weakness if he\u2019s rarely given the chance to face it?<\/p>\n That\u2019s where Skip Schumaker comes in.<\/p>\n The Rangers\u2019 manager has made it clear: 2026 is the year Carter gets more exposure to lefties. Speaking last month on Foul Territory<\/em>, Schumaker laid out the vision: \u201cIf we get him just to be OK against lefties and still be really good against righties, you have an All-Star player.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s a realistic and strategic approach. Carter doesn\u2019t need to mash lefties-he just needs to hold his own.<\/p>\n If he can become passable against them while continuing to thrive against right-handers, his value skyrockets. Schumaker doubled down on that plan during the Winter Meetings, saying Carter will get more at-bats against lefties, though not all of them.<\/p>\n He\u2019ll have to earn the full-time reps, and the leash likely won\u2019t be unlimited. But the intent is clear: the Rangers want to see what Carter can do when given the opportunity to grow through challenge, not just comfort.<\/p>\n While Carter\u2019s development is front and center for Texas, his name is also surfacing in another part of the baseball conversation: trade talk.<\/p>\n According to reports, multiple teams have reached out to the Rangers to inquire about Carter\u2019s availability. These aren\u2019t just casual check-ins either-his name has reportedly come up more than any other on the roster.<\/p>\n That kind of interest speaks volumes. Even with the lefty struggles, Carter\u2019s upside is obvious, and rival teams are watching closely.<\/p>\n One floated scenario came last month when Chris Rose suggested a potential deal sending Carter to the Mets in exchange for Mark Vientos. Nothing concrete materialized, but it added fuel to the speculation-especially considering the recent trade between the Rangers and Mets that sent Marcus Semien to New York in exchange for Brandon Nimmo. With that recent transaction in the books, the two front offices clearly have an open line of communication.<\/p>\n Still, there\u2019s no indication the Rangers are actively shopping Carter. This feels more like due diligence from other teams than a signal that Texas is ready to move on. Carter remains a key part of the Rangers\u2019 long-term vision, and unless a deal absolutely blows them away, it\u2019s hard to see them parting with a 23-year-old outfielder who still has All-Star potential.<\/p>\n The 2026 season is shaping up to be a pivotal one for Evan Carter. The talent is there.<\/p>\n The athleticism, the glove, the plate discipline-they\u2019re all tools that suggest a high ceiling. But now it\u2019s about refining the edges, especially when it comes to facing left-handed pitching.<\/p>\n The Rangers are betting that with more exposure and a little patience, Carter can make that leap from promising young player to complete, everyday contributor.<\/p>\n And if he does? Skip Schumaker might be right-Texas could have an All-Star on its hands.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Evan Carter\u2019s Next Step: More Lefties, More Growth, and a Bigger Spotlight in 2026 Evan Carter has already delivered on a big chunk of the promise that made the Texas Rangers so…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":131018,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-131017","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Lefty Problem-and the Plan to Fix It<\/h3>\n
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Trade Rumors Swirling-But No Move Imminent<\/h3>\n
What Comes Next<\/h3>\n