Rangers Outfielder Predicted for Breakout Season, With Catch

Evan Carter projected to excel against right-handed pitching, but struggles against lefties

Mar. 19, 2026 at 2:53pm

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The Texas Rangers are predicted to get a breakout season from 23-year-old outfielder Evan Carter in 2026, but with a major caveat - the prediction sees Carter excelling only as a platoon player against right-handed pitching, while continuing to struggle mightily against left-handers.

Why it matters

While a breakout season from Carter would be a boost for the Rangers, the fact that it's projected to be limited to only facing right-handed pitchers means the team will still have a hole in their lineup against left-handed starters, limiting the overall impact of Carter's potential breakout.

The details

According to The Athletic's Keith Law, Carter is poised to hit like an All-Star against right-handed pitching in 2026, but his career numbers against lefties (.083 batting average, .275 OPS) make him unplayable in those matchups. Last season, Carter hit just .087 against left-handers across 23 at-bats, compared to a solid .269 average and .782 OPS against righties.

  • In 2023, Carter has hit .083 with a .275 OPS against left-handed pitching across 68 at-bats.
  • In 2025, Carter hit .087 against left-handed pitchers in 23 at-bats.
  • So far in 2026 spring training, Carter is hitting .222 with 2 home runs, 6 RBIs, 1 stolen base and a .909 OPS in 27 at-bats.

The players

Evan Carter

A 23-year-old left-handed hitting outfielder for the Texas Rangers who is predicted to have a breakout season in 2026, but only against right-handed pitching.

Keith Law

A baseball analyst for The Athletic who predicted Evan Carter's potential breakout season for the Rangers in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“This one comes with an asterisk: I think Carter will break out, but as a platoon player. He hits right-handed pitching well enough to see him playing like an All-Star against them.”

— Keith Law, Baseball Analyst

What’s next

The Rangers will need to determine how to best utilize Evan Carter in their lineup, potentially platooning him against right-handed pitchers while finding an effective solution to fill the hole against left-handed starters.

The takeaway

While a breakout season from a young player is always exciting, the fact that Evan Carter's potential breakout is projected to be limited to only facing right-handed pitching highlights the challenges the Rangers will face in building a balanced and effective lineup in 2026.