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The Texas Rangers were supposed to slug their way back to the postseason in 2025. Instead, they’ve landed on Bleacher Report’s list of the year’s biggest fails—and not because of their pitching.
In a ranking by Tim Kelly, the Rangers’ once-feared lineup was singled out as one of the most disappointing units of the season so far. And with good reason. Despite the healthy return of their high-risk pitching trio—Nathan Eovaldi, Jacob deGrom, and Tyler Mahle (on 15-day IL)—Texas remains stuck below .500. The bats have not shown up.
Big Names, Small Numbers
The problems start at the top. Marcus Semien, a three-time All-Star, is hitting just .228 with a .304 OBP. Corey Seager, generally among the best shortstops in the game, has a .710 OPS. Adolis García’s power hasn’t been enough to offset his brutal .285 OBP.
That trio was supposed to anchor the lineup, not drag it down. Add in the fact that offseason additions Jake Burger and Joc Pederson (Both on 10-day IL) have been near automatic outs—Pederson owns a .131 average, .507 OPS, and a -0.8 WAR—and the disappointment begins to feel systemic.
The numbers don’t lie. As a team, Texas is hitting .228/.293/.366 across 81 games. Their 649 strikeouts rank among the worst in the league. It’s a far cry from the group that mashed its way to a World Series title just two years ago.
Langford and Smith Can’t Save Everyone
Wyatt Langford (currently in the 10-day IL) has done his part. The rookie slugger has 13 home runs and an OPS of .729 through 67 games. Josh Smith has been another bright spot, slashing .279/.349/.422 while showing surprising consistency at the plate.
Evan Carter, recalled from Triple-A in midseason, has brought some life to the bottom of the order as well, with a .784 OPS and six stolen bases in 30 games. But three solid bats can’t carry a lineup full of duds.
Bochy’s Challenge
Bruce Bochy has dealt with cold stretches before, but this one feels different. The Rangers entered 2025 with a deep and experienced offense, along with a manager who had won four World Series rings. They weren’t just supposed to compete—they were supposed to dominate.
Yet they sit with a .228 team batting average and just 283 RBIs on the season. That puts them near the bottom of the American League in both categories. When you build a roster to win now and it fails this badly, people notice.
Time Running Out in the West
The silver lining? There’s still time to salvage things. The Rangers aren’t entirely out of the AL Wild Card picture, and they’ve got a rotation that can keep them competitive.
But the margin for error is slim. The Astros have surged, the Mariners are hanging around, and the Angels—while flawed—aren’t going away. If Texas doesn’t get more out of Seager, Semien, and García soon, the pressure to make changes will mount.
The Rangers gambled on proven veterans, and it hasn’t paid off. Now, they find themselves on a list that no team wants to be on.
Bleacher Report didn’t miss. This offense has been a failure, and unless something changes quickly, the 2025 Rangers might join a long line of talented teams that couldn’t get it done.
Alvin Garcia Alvin Garcia is a Puerto Rican MLB writer for Heavy.com. His work has appeared on FanSided, LWOS, NewsBreak, Athlon Sports, and Yardbarker, with coverage spanning all teams across the league. More about Alvin Garcia
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