And with the 50th pick… Elizabethton’s Evan Carter selected in the second round by Texas Rangers
Published 12:28 am Friday, June 12, 2020
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File Photo/Dawn Lambert Cyclone outfielder Evan Carter gets ready to pick up a ground ball to the outfield. Carter made the Elizabethton community proud on Thursday as he was drafted in the second round by the Texas Rangers.
File Photo/Ivan Sanders Cyclone senior outfielder Evan Carter puts a charge into the baseball. The Texas Rangers saw something in Carter's power and speed as the team made Carter the 50th pick in Thursday's MLB Draft.
File Photo/Ivan Sanders Evan Carter delivers a laser to the plate. Carter was drafted by the Texas Rangers as an outfielder in Thursday's second round.
Photo Contributed Evan Carter has long been a fan of the Texas Rangers. Little did Carter know that he would selected in the second round of the 2020 MLB Draft with the 50th pick by the Rangers.
Photo Contributed Evan Carter and his long time girlfriend, Kaylen Shell, don Texas Rangers jerseys. Little did the two know that Carter would be taken with the 50th pick in Major League Baseball's 2020 Draft.
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BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR SPORTS EDITOR
Possibly the biggest surprise to many baseball fans and especially the Texas Rangers fanbase was the selection that the Rangers 50th pick in the second round of Major League Baseball’s 2020 Draft.
And while it came as a surprise to many, it didn’t catch anyone that has ever witnessed Evan Carter play in high school or travel ball by surprise at all as Carter put Elizabethton back on the MLB map by being chosen by the Rangers.
Carter may have been the most surprised as he has been a fan of the Rangers since a kid so not only did his dream come true of being selected to play professionally but also being picked by his favorite team.
“I had been a fan of the Rangers since I was little so it worked out well,” Carter said after a busy afternoon. “We had an idea that they were interested along with another team.
“It’s surreal – it’s totally crazy. This is the most excited that I have been in my whole life.”
Carter has been preparing for this day for most of his young life as he gave up football and other interest to pursue baseball exclusively as his father, Jason Carter who is the assistant principal at T.A. Dugger, built a batting cage in the family’s basement and spent countless hours pitching batting practice to his son.
His mother, Susan, also was a key part of Carter’s development as the family put countless miles on the family vehicle taking the young Carter to participate in camps and play summer league with an elite group in Atlanta, GA.
“They have been great and have supported me,” said Carter of his parents. “They have done everything possible to help me.
“I really feel blessed and thank God for this opportunity.”
While Carter had a huge dream fulfilled by being drafted, he was hoping to help the Cyclones in his senior season make it a three-peat to Murfreesboro for the state baseball tournament.
Many felt the Cyclones had all the key ingredients to make a serious charge for the title this season.
“I am super thankful for all the memories that I made as a Cyclone,” Carter said. “Coach (Ryan) Presnell and all the coaches showed unwavering support to me and I am so appreciative of that.”
Presnell stated the following on Facebook following Carter’s selection.
“What an amazing accomplishment for a true Cyclone. This kid will make our town beyond proud.
“Those of you that had the pleasure of seeing him play in orange and black were truly blessed to see the best one to do it in a Cyclone uniform,” Presnell continued. “Today is only verification of that.
“I am humbled to have been a small part of his life up to this point. I am beyond excited to load up my kids and go see him wherever he ends up next. Strap up Betsy – this is our next superstar! He just put our town on the MLB map.”
Carter was asked about a video post on social media Facebook where just before his name was called that he looked down at his phone. He said it was funny how it all worked out.
“Yeah, there must have been a delay in the announcement because I got a call from the Rangers just as they were calling my name,” Carter stated. “It really just lined up perfectly getting the call and hearing my name at the same time.”
Carter had already committed to play baseball for Duke University. With the possibility of being drafted in the mix, he and his family spent many hours going over scenarios as to what the plan would be should he be selected in the draft.
After Thursday’s results, the answer was clear.
“My family and I have decided that I am going to go on and play professionally,” Carter said about the decision. “They have supported me all the way in this decision.”
Maybe one of the loser’s in Carter being drafted was the Blue Devils as Carter has to make a call to inform the head coach of his decision.
Carter was going to come out a winner either way regardless of Thursday’s events.
Now he will be a winner playing on his favorite team. While still much is left to be done as far as contract negotiations and taking care of all the preliminaries before finding out where he will get his first assignment as a member of the Texas Ranger organization.
