Texas Rangers Banking on Malcolm Moore as Future Behind the Plate, but the Road Ahead Is Still Under Construction
The Texas Rangers are in a transitional phase behind the plate. With Jonah Heim no longer in the picture after a decline in production and subsequent non-tender, the team is turning to a short-term patchwork approach while keeping one eye firmly on the future - and that future, they hope, is Malcolm Moore.
Right now, the Rangers are leaning on veteran stopgaps in Kyle Higashioka and Danny Jansen to hold things down. Both bring experience and stability, but the long-term plan clearly centers around Moore, a former first-round pick who’s seen as the heir apparent.
The challenge? He’s still developing, and the runway to get him MLB-ready is longer than some fans - and maybe even the front office - would like.
Moore’s Talent is Real, But So Are the Growing Pains
Moore came into pro ball with plenty of buzz. He was the 2023 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year at Stanford and followed it up with another strong collegiate campaign before Texas grabbed him in the 2024 MLB Draft. But his first full professional season didn’t exactly go according to plan.
A broken right finger delayed his debut until July, and even after returning, Moore never quite found his rhythm at the plate. He finished the year hitting just .195 with three home runs and 27 RBIs over 62 games. There were flashes late in the season - a .214 average with three doubles and nine RBIs in September - but overall, it was a tough year for a player trying to establish himself.
The raw tools are still there. Moore has the kind of bat speed and strength that made him a top draft pick, and when he’s locked in, he can drive the ball with authority.
But consistency was an issue in 2025, and some scouts have started to raise questions about his long-term defensive fit. While the Rangers drafted him as a catcher, there’s chatter that he might ultimately profile better as a designated hitter or first baseman.
The Catching Situation in Texas: A Double-Edged Sword
Here’s where things get tricky. The Rangers’ current catching depth chart isn’t exactly loaded.
With Heim gone, Higashioka and Jansen are solid veterans, but neither is a long-term solution. That opens the door for Moore - but it also puts a spotlight on him before he’s fully ready to walk through it.
Moore doesn’t turn 23 until June, and 2026 will only be his second full professional season. That’s not typically when you want to saddle a young player with franchise-level expectations, but the lack of depth at the position could unintentionally do just that.
The good news is that the Rangers have some breathing room built into their roster. Higashioka is under contract through 2026, and Jansen’s deal runs through 2027.
That gives Moore time to develop without being rushed - in theory. But baseball development is rarely linear.
If Moore gets hot in the minors or if the veterans struggle, the temptation to fast-track him will be strong.
And that’s where the mental side of the game comes into play. Moore’s 2025 season was likely one of the first in his baseball career where things didn’t come easy. Navigating that adversity is part of the process, but the added pressure of being “the guy” waiting in the wings can be a heavy load, especially for a young catcher still finding his footing.
What 2026 Needs to Be for Moore
The biggest win for Moore in 2026 won’t necessarily be a massive stat line or a midseason call-up - it’ll be steady, measurable growth. Getting back to the version of himself that thrived at Stanford should be the goal. That means staying healthy, making consistent contact, and sharpening the defensive skills that will be crucial if he’s going to stick behind the plate.
The Rangers believe in Moore’s upside - that much is clear. But they’re also trying to thread a needle: develop a young, high-upside catcher while managing a big-league roster that doesn’t have a ton of catching depth. It’s a delicate balance, and how Moore responds to the challenge in 2026 could go a long way in determining when - and how - he makes his leap to the majors.
For now, the Rangers are holding the line with veterans. But make no mistake: they’re counting on Malcolm Moore to be the future. The question is whether time - and development - will be on his side.