NEW YORK -- How’s that for a birthday present? Rangers top prospect Evan Carter -- who turned 21 on Tuesday -- was promoted to Triple-A Round Rock on his birthday.

Carter got the start in center field in the Express’ game against the Oklahoma City Dodgers.

MLB Pipeline’s No. 8 overall prospect, Carter slashed .284/.411/.451 with 12 homers in 97 games with Double-A Frisco this season.

Since coming off the injured list from a nagging hand injury on June 21, Carter has slashed .290/.417/.500 with a .917 OPS in 56 games. He admitted the hand injury -- which he suffered after being hit by a pitch in May -- affected him more than he realized and he could have used the break a little sooner.

“He's really turned it on [in the second half], and he’s been very good,” said general manager Chris Young. “We're excited. We feel the same about him as we have since the beginning of the year. He's a tremendously talented player. He embodies Ranger values and we’re excited about his future.”

The Rangers’ second-round pick in the 2020 Draft, Carter has had a long journey from being an Elizabethton, Tenn., high schooler. He was not listed on MLB Pipeline's Top 200 Prospects or Baseball America’s Top 500 entering the Draft. The pick was widely criticized by much of the baseball community.

The outfielder has continued to prove the doubters wrong ever since. 

Carter was the Rangers' Minor League Player of the Year in 2022, slashing .295/.397/.489 with 21 doubles, 10 triples, 12 home runs, 28 steals and 73 RBIs between High-A Hickory and Double-A Frisco. He also won a Minor League Gold Glove Award in center field.