AL West Primer: Rangers
The Rangers could be tough, if they can stay healthy.
Our AL West primer series has already covered the Angels, Athletics, and Astros. This brings us to Seattle’s fourth division rival - the Rangers.
Offensively, Texas was bottom-five in AVG, OBP, SLG with fewer home runs than the MLB average and the ninth-fewest runs scored.
Conversely, the Rangers were the best at preventing damage by opposing hitters. The 605 runs allowed by Texas were the fewest in baseball and in franchise history with the exception of the shortened 1981 and 2020 seasons.
The defense did its part, too. Infielders ranked ninth in Fielding Run Value (FRV), while outfielders were third best. It’s worth noting two of the team’s better defenders, Marcus Semien and Adolis García, are no longer Rangers.
Something we should consider - the ballpark. Texas pitchers had a top-ranked 2.82 ERA at Globe Life Field and a 4.21 road ERA. The 1.39 difference represented the greatest home field advantage for pitchers edging out the Mariners (1.22).
Offensive home and away splits were also unbalanced. The Rangers had an MLB-worst .660 OPS at home compared to an average-ish .706 OPS away from Arlington.
Notable departures: Bruce Bochy (Manager), Marcus Semien (2B), Adolis García (RF), Jonah Heim (C), Jon Gray (SP), Merrill Kelly (SP), Tyler Mahle (SP), Patrick Corbin (SP), Shawn Armstrong (RP), Danny Coulombe (RP), Phil Maton (RP), Hoby Milner (RP), Dylan Moore (UTL), Donovan Solano (1B/DH), Rowdy Tellez (1B/DH)
Position players
As you can see, several players that Mariners fans have grown accustomed to seeing have departed. Newcomers expected to play regularly are right fielder Brandon Nimmo and catcher Danny Jansen. Other openings will mostly be filled internally.
Key Contributors (and 2025 OPS+)
1B - Jake Burger (99)
2B - Josh Smith (107)
SS - Corey Seager (151)
3B - Josh Jung (100)
LF - Wyatt Langford (127)
CF - Evan Carter (114)
RF - Brandon Nimmo (114)
DH - Joc Pederson (81)
C - Danny Jansen (101) / Kyle Higashioka (102)
First baseman Jake Burger, who was on the IL three times last year, slugged .419 with an average-ish 99 OPS+. The five-year veteran has a career .297 OBP with suboptimal 26.9-percent strikeout and 5.2-percent walk rates.
Josh Smith, who has just eight regular season professional starts at second base, replaces Semien. Smith had a low .380 SLG last year. But the 28-year-old had an excellent .335 OBP and a 107 OPS+.
In 2025, shortstop Corey Seager produced a 151 OPS+ to go with 21 home runs. Availability has been an issue for Seager. The 31-year-old played 102 games last year and has averaged 115 contests annually since 2023. Despite these setbacks, Seager remains an above-average shortstop.
Third baseman Josh Jung is another high-strikeout, low-walk hitter with a career .298 OBP. The eighth overall pick of 2019 is currently sidelined with an abductor strain, although he’s progressing towards returning.
In left field, Wyatt Langford hit 25 doubles and 22 home runs, while swiping 22 bases. Defensively, he was 11th best among outfielders, just behind Mariners center fielder Julio Rodríguez. Langford was on the IL three times with oblique issues in 2025.
Evan Carter is in center field, assuming he remains healthy. Quad, back, and wrist issues sidelined Carter three times last year. This comes on the heels of a back injury limiting the 23-year-old to 45 games in 2024. Still, when Carter played last year, he was a productive hitter (116 OPS+) and an excellent glove.
In each of the last four seasons, Nimmo played at least 151 games. During this span, the 32-year-old averaged 28 doubles and 22 home runs with an exceptional 120 OPS+. With the Mets last season, he was an average left field defender.
Jansen and Kyle Higashioka will share catching duties. Each was an average run producer in 2025. Defensively, Statcast rates Jansen as a subpar receiver, particularly as a pitch framer. The 35-year-old Higashioka was a better framer, but he was penalized for his throwing.
Left-handed hitting Joc Pederson returns as the designated hitter. In the three seasons prior to coming to Texas, the 12-year veteran had a 136 OPS+. But his 81 OPS+ last year was the lowest of any season Pederson had 300 plate appearances. He also missed two months with a hand fracture.
Non-roster invite Andrew McCutchen could potentially serve as a right-handed complement to Pederson. The 39-year-old posted a .743 OPS versus southpaws and a .684 OPS against righties with Pittsburgh last season.
Notable Reserves (and 2025 OPS+)
UTL - Ezequiel Durán (75)
UTL - Sam Haggerty (106)
OF - Michael Helman (115)
C - Willie MacIver (MiLB)
IF - Justin Foscue (MiLB)
OF - Alejandro Osuna (MiLB)
OF - Dairon Blanco (MiLB)
IF - Cody Freeman (MiLB)**
OF - Andrew McCutchen (67)+
IF/OF - Tyler Wade (59)+
OF - Mark Canha (52)+
C - José Herrera (53)+
IF - Jonah Bride (24)+
+ Not on 40-man roster
** Injured
Sam Haggerty looks like a spare outfielder for new manager Skip Schumaker. Last year, Haggerty started games at all three outfield spots. He also stole 12 bases in 64 games and had a 106 OPS+.
In 2025, versatile Ezequiel Durán started at every infield position and both corner outfield spots. Durán’s 75 OPS+ isn’t attractive. However, he delivered strong defense and was a speedster with 11 stolen bases.
Perhaps Michael Helman eventually becomes a positive bench contributor. Helmen played 35 games in center field last season and has corner outfield experience. He also started 23 minor-league contests at shortstop in 2025.
Starting Rotation
Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, MacKenzie Gore, and Jack Leiter have the top four rotation spots. deGrom and Eovaldi headline the group.
deGrom’s .286 xwOBA ranked 16th last year. Expected Weighted On-Base Average (xwOBA) reflects quality of contact allowed and removes defense from the equation. The 36-year-old Eovaldi was even better with an eighth-best .272 xwOBA.
Gore’s .322 xwOBA and 4.17 ERA in 30 starts with Washington were league average. Leiter took a big step forward in his second year making 29 starts with a 3.86 ERA and .326 xwOBA.
Jacob Latz and Kumar Rocker are competing to be the fifth starter.
Latz made eight starts and 28 relief appearances in 2025. The southpaw’s 2.84 ERA looks superb. But a .315 xwOBA signals something closer to average than great. In four years, Latz has held lefty bats to a .578 OPS. Right-handed opponents have a .734 OPS.
A shoulder injury cost Rocker five weeks early last season. The team would eventually send the 26-year-old to Class-AAA Round Rock in July due to ineffectiveness. He finished with a 5.74 ERA and .364 xwOBA.
Starter stable (and 2025 xwOBA)
Nathan Eovaldi (.272)
Jacob deGrom (.286)
MacKenzie Gore (.322)
Jack Leiter (.326)
Jacob Latz (.315)
Kumar Rocker (.364)
Austin Gomber (.372)+
Cal Quantrill (.366)+
+ Not on 40-man roster
Lefties Jordan Montgomery and Cody Bradford will begin 2026 on the 60-day IL. Both missed last season due to elbow surgeries and should return sometime this year.
While discussing injuries, we should discuss the health of several starters. We’ve already covered Rocker. Let’s talk about Eovaldi, Gore, and deGrom.
A rotator cuff strain ended Eovaldi’s season in August after he missed most of June with an elbow issue. Since becoming a Ranger in 2023, the 36-year-old has been on the IL four times.
Shoulder inflammation cost Gore two weeks in August-September. Shortly thereafter, an ankle impingement ended his season. Hopefully, these issues were blips and not foreboding signs.
Then, there’s deGrom. The 37-year-old made 30 starts for the first time since 2019 and was AL Comeback Player of the Year. Then again, his extensive injury history and advancing age must be considered when discussing deGrom and the Rangers’ rotation.
Bullpen
After making nine saves and having a better-than-average .304 xwOBA, Robert Garcia may be a candidate to close games. Perhaps Chris Martin is an option, too.
Still, Martin has dealt with availability challenges recently. The 39-year-old has been on the IL at least twice each year dating back to 2023. Martin’s effectiveness has also suffered. Opponents hit .262 and slugged .390 against him last season.
Recent pickup Jalen Beeks made 61 appearances, including nine multi-inning outings, in 2025. The southpaw had a respectable .306 xwOBA, .206 AVG, and .341 SLG.
Last year was the first time Jakob Junis was a full-time reliever. He made 57 appearances and logged 66.2 innings with Cleveland. On 18 occasions, the 33-year-old notched five outs, including nine two-inning games.
Reliever pool (2024 xwOBA)
Robert Garcia (.304)
Chris Martin (.303)
Cole Winn (.318)
Jakob Junis (.312)
Jalen Beeks (.306)
Tyler Alexander (.332)
Emiliano Teodo (MiLB)
Marc Church (MiLB)
Luis Curvelo (MiLB)
Michel Otañez (MiLB)
Carter Baumler (MiLB)++
Josh Sborz (.314)+
Ryan Brasier (.340)+
Patrick Murphy (MiLB/Japan)+
Alexis Díaz (.384) - DFA
+ Not on the 40-man roster
++ Rule 5 pick
Opponents hit .277 against Tyler Alexander last season when he pitched for the White Sox and Brewers. That said, the versatile left-hander made five starts during 52 appearances and logged two-plus innings as a reliever 19 times.
Rule 5 selection Carter Baumler must remain with Texas all season or be offered back to his former club. At three minor-league stops last year, Baumler posted 29.1-percent strikeout and 11.4-percent walk rates.
Outlook
If the Rangers are graced with good health, always a big if, they can contend for the AL West title. Otherwise, Texas will be an also-ran for a third consecutive year.
My Oh My…