Get ready for a season of high stakes and hard questions, because the Texas Rangers are about to kick off spring training, and the future of the team hangs in the balance. On Tuesday, 42 pitchers and catchers will gather at the Surprise Recreation Campus, stretching their muscles, tossing baseballs, and fielding grounders—a picturesque scene that will, for a fleeting moment, reignite the romanticism of the game. But here’s where it gets real: five days later, the rest of the squad joins, swelling the camp to 64 players, and the romance fades into a sea of unanswered questions. Will the Rangers rise as contenders, or is a rebuild on the horizon?
And this is the part most people miss: the questions might outnumber the players. From the impact of a new manager to the team’s body language and hitting performance, the Rangers are facing a mountain of uncertainties. Did Corey Seager and Marcus Semien really have a spat? Where will Evan Carter play if he’s healthy? Can Kumar Rocker lock down a spot in the starting rotation? The bullpen, too, is a puzzle waiting to be solved. With so many storylines, it’s hard to know where to begin—but we’re here to break it all down for you.
Welcome to the Hunger Games
When Chris Young was asked what he’s looking for in spring training, he didn’t mention stats or positions. Instead, he said, “I want to see hunger.” It’s a bold statement, but one that cuts to the core of the Rangers’ recent struggles. The last two seasons have felt more like a team going through the motions than one playing with purpose and intensity. Was it a World Series hangover? A roster mismatch? Or a veteran manager’s overconfidence in his players’ self-motivation? Whatever the reason, the task of reigniting that fire now falls to new manager Skip Schumaker. And this is his single most important spring—not just for him, but for the team’s future.
Schumaker’s mission is clear: establish a winning culture. But here’s the catch—culture can’t be forced. It has to grow organically, starting with his first address to the full team on February 15. “It’s really important to set expectations and figure out who we are,” Schumaker said. “Culture can move the needle, and establishing it from Day 1 is crucial.” But will it be enough to transform a team that’s lost its edge?
The Latz Factor
Jacob Latz made a compelling case last year to move from the bullpen to the rotation, but times have changed. Unlike the C.J. Wilson experiment in 2009, when the Rangers were desperate for starters, they now boast a rotation with the best ERA in baseball. Still, Latz will get a shot at the open spot, competing against Kumar Rocker and others. But here’s the controversial part: is Latz more valuable as a starter or as a high-leverage reliever? His 2.72 ERA in eight starts last year was impressive, but his xERA of 4.51 suggests some regression. Meanwhile, as a reliever, he held opponents to a .563 OPS in high-pressure situations—a top 20% performance. Which role maximizes his value?
For Rocker to secure a spot, he’ll need to develop a reliable third pitch, preferably an offspeed offering that moves downward. Without it, he’s vulnerable to hard contact, as evidenced by his bottom five percentile rankings in exit velocity and barrels. And while Latz auditions for the rotation, the Rangers must sort through a crowded bullpen, including Robert Garcia, Tyler Alexander, and Rule 5 pick Carter Baumler. Who will emerge as the closer? Schumaker, who has a knack for identifying bullpen talent (think Tanner Scott), will have his hands full.
Center Field: A Position of Abundance—or Chaos?
Center field has historically been a problem for the Rangers, but now they might have three players vying for the spot: Evan Carter, Wyatt Langford, and Brandon Nimmo. But here’s the twist: only one can play, and the decision is far from straightforward. Carter, the preferred option when healthy, has struggled with injuries and left-handed pitching. Langford, with a better Defensive Runs Saved metric, has started nearly as many games in center over the last two years. Nimmo, a veteran with over 500 career starts in center, is still considered solid despite losing a step. So, who gets the nod?
Schumaker insists it’s not a battle but acknowledges the need to find the best fit. “We want to create the healthiest team for 162 games,” he said. But the questions persist: Should Carter platoon against lefties? If so, should Langford slide to center in his place? Or should Langford, one of the team’s most reliable producers, stay in one position? And what about durability? Langford has played more than twice as many games as Carter over the last two years—shouldn’t that factor in?
The Comeback Kids
Last year’s offense was, frankly, a disaster. Joc Pederson had the worst season of his 12-year career, while Josh Jung took significant steps backward in approach and plate discipline. Can they bounce back? Pederson, in the second year of his deal, might be on thin ice if he struggles early. Jung, meanwhile, could find himself in a position battle with Cody Freeman at third base. Who will step up, and who will be left behind?
Chris Young is watching closely, and he’s not just looking for results—he’s looking for hunger. “We have a lot to prove,” he said. “I want to see a group that knows how good we can be if we play to our capabilities.” But will the Rangers rise to the challenge, or will they fall short once again?
As spring training unfolds, these questions will dominate the conversation. And while we don’t have all the answers, one thing is clear: the Rangers are at a crossroads. Will they emerge as a team reborn, or will they remain mired in uncertainty? Only time will tell—but one thing’s for sure: this season is going to be a wild ride. What do you think? Are the Rangers poised for a comeback, or is a rebuild inevitable? Let us know in the comments!
