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BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR SPORTS EDITOR
ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com
Texas Ranger Evan Carter paid a visit to his old stomping grounds on Tuesday as the school welcomed back the 50th pick in the 2020 Major League Baseball draft and honored him by placing his jersey, baseball bat, and a signed baseball card into the school’s trophy case.

Carter will be able to spend the holidays with his family and friends before reporting back to Arizona in January to prepare for his sophomore season in the Majors.

“Honestly I didn’t know what to expect so when I showed up I thought whatever is going to happen is going to happen and everything so far has been awesome,” Carter said of his early experience with the Rangers. “It’s more than I ever thought it was going to be so its been a really good experience.”

“I just wanted to go out there and do the best I could. We had a great team in Low A and it was a great group to be around and as far as the start, whatever happened was going to happen and I was really happy with my effort.”

Carter, who was a stalwart pitcher and outfielder for the Cyclones leading the team to back-to-back state appearances, shared how being around coaches and players in the majors have changed even the way he watches a game now.

“As far as watching baseball, I have learned a lot by being around the coaches and older players and how they look at what is going on in situations,” he said. “The biggest thing for me is seeing people on television is that they are normal people and they are great people. It’s really great to be included with them.”

Being away for home is tough for anyone Carter’s age and he was quick to agree saying, “It’s tough but everyone has been supporting me”.

He added, “I have a great support system at home. It’s been really awesome that folks back home have been sending me texts and calling which has been awesome.”

As far as playing for the Ranger organization, Carter has found a home where “Everybody there is on each other’s side,” from the front office all the way down to the coaches and players.

Carter’s goal for his second year is to remain feeling good all year after suffering an injury in his inaugral campaign and continue to contribute wherever the organization places him.