MLB

2025 Texas Rangers Preview: The Biggest Mystery in MLB in 2025?

Colin Lynch Sports Editor

Published14 Mar 2025

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The blueprint was simple. A championship core, a dominant offense, a reliable rotation. After celebrating their first World Series title in franchise history, the Rangers should be poised to defend their crown.

Instead, uncertainty looms.

There are questions—big ones—about health, consistency, and regression.

And perhaps the biggest mystery of all? Jacob deGrom.

Can the Rotation Hold Up?

The Rangers boast a collection of arms that, on paper, should be formidable.

Jacob deGrom is still an ace—when healthy.
Nathan Eovaldi remains a steady veteran presence.
Tyler Mahle, Jon Gray, and Cody Bradford fill out the rotation.
Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker, once Vanderbilt teammates, are on the rise.

Sights and sounds from Jacob deGrom's 2025 spring debut 🔊

The @Rangers ace tossed two scoreless frames with three strikeouts. pic.twitter.com/i9e9dAR0Fo

— Victory+ (@victoryplustv) March 8, 2025

But here’s the problem: deGrom hasn’t thrown more than 92 innings in a season since 2019.

At his best, he’s untouchable. In nine starts for the Rangers, he’s posted a 2.41 ERA with a staggering 13.0 K/9 rate.

But he’s also 36 years old, coming off Tommy John surgery, and has made just 35 starts in four years.

Texas is betting on deGrom. It has to.

Eovaldi is a rock, but at 35, he’s coming off his heaviest workload since 2021. Gray, while a fierce competitor, has averaged just 24 starts and 129 innings per year.

The wild cards? Bradford, Leiter, and Rocker.

Bradford flashed promise in 14 outings, posting a 3.54 ERA, but missed significant time with a back injury. Leiter and Rocker, two former top-five draft picks, now have a chance to prove they belong in a big-league rotation.

The bullpen is another concern. Texas lost key pieces in Kirby Yates and David Robertson. They added Robert Garcia, but relief depth remains thin.

For all the uncertainty, one thing is clear: The Rangers need deGrom to be an ace again.

2025 Rangers Projected Rotation

1. Jacob deGrom, RHP
2. Nathan Eovaldi, RHP
3. Jon Gray, RHP
4. Cody Bradford, LHP
5. Tyler Mahle, RHP

What Happened to the Offense?

A year ago, this was one of the most fearsome lineups in baseball.

The 2023 Rangers ranked third in MLB in wRC+ (116).
They hit .263/.337/.452 as a team.
They finished fourth in home runs and second in batting average.

Then, everything changed.

In 2024, Texas ranked 22nd in wRC+ (95).
They dropped to .238/.305/.380 as a team.
They plummeted to 23rd in home runs and 21st in batting average.

It wasn’t just a decline. It was a free fall.

What went wrong?

Corey Seager was still excellent, but his numbers dipped. His BABIP dropped from .340 to .291, cutting into his production.
Marcus Semien’s bat slowed down. His hard-hit rate fell, and his slugging percentage dipped below .400 for the first time since 2018.
Adolis García’s power vanished late in the season. His patience at the plate disappeared, his chase rate spiked, and his walk rate declined.
Josh Jung missed most of the season, playing just 46 games.

The result? A lineup that went from elite to average in the span of a year.

Can the Bats Bounce Back?

The front office responded by trading Nathaniel Lowe and bringing in power bats Joc Pederson and Jake Burger.

Burger hit 34 home runs last season.
Pederson, when facing right-handed pitching, remains a dangerous platoon bat.

Corey Seager gave his full endorsement when the Rangers front office asked about pursuing his former teammate Joc Pederson this offseason.

"I think every team needs that kind of guy that can keep you light, keep you flowing, especially in the down times. He doesn't get down." pic.twitter.com/i8jxmsiOsv

— Victory+ (@victoryplustv) February 16, 2025

The lineup still has plenty of star power.

Seager, even with slight regression, is an MVP-caliber talent.
Semien, despite his downturn, provides leadership and durability.
García is capable of a strong rebound.
Wyatt Langford is emerging as a key piece of the offense.

But Texas needs more.

They need Jung healthy.
They need García’s power to return.
They need someone—anyone—to step up.

Rangers 2025 Projected Lineup

1. Marcus Semien, 2B
2. Corey Seager, SS
3. Wyatt Langford, LF
4. Adolis García, RF
5. Joc Pederson, DH
6. Josh Jung, 3B
7. Jake Burger, 1B
8. Jonah Heim, C
9. Evan Carter, CF