Rangers manager Bruce Bochy issues Evan Carter warning to rest of league
Last September, Texas Rangers rookie Evan Carter burst onto the scene with a two-month stretch any first-time big leaguer would dream of. He capped it off with a World Series ring, but the 2024 season hasn’t been kind to the 21-year-old.
Carter entered Sunday with a .194 batting average having registered more strikeouts than hits at the plate. That prompted Rangers manager Bruce Bochy to issue his thoughts on the rookie’s struggles before Texas’ series finale against the Atlanta Braves.
“I don’t think he’s hit his stride,” Bochy said, per Kennedi Landry. “We saw how good he is but he’s not quite there yet with his swing. Still, you look at getting on base doing things. He just needs to keep doing his thing and find that consistent swing that works for him.”
After going hitless in four straight games, Carter followed a 1-for-3 day on Saturday with his first multi-hit game since April 12 on Sunday, clubbing a home run and scoring twice in a 6-4 Rangers win.
He also helped defensively, making two diving catches in left field in the second and seventh innings. It may have been just one great game, but perhaps the start of something for Carter, whom the Rangers have high expectations for.
Carter recorded a 1.058 OPS in 23 games last September to earn himself a spot on the Rangers’ playoff roster. He justified it with a spectacular postseason, hitting for a .300 average with 18 combined runs scored and RBIs during Texas’ championship run, playing in all 17 playoff games.
Although Carter made it look easy, there are several obstacles a player faces throughout his first taste in the MLB. Despite being a rookie, Carter has played meaningful baseball games for years and knows that one good or bad game does not define an entire season.
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