As Opening Day approaches, manager Skip Schumaker is starting to give his regular lineup more consistent playing time, and there's a buzz in the air. In Saturday’s split squad matchup against the San Diego Padres, we’re seeing a top trio that’s likely to make an appearance in Philadelphia.
This same group was instrumental in a seven-run inning against the Rockies on Friday, contributing to a total of 35 runs over the last five games. Rangers fans have plenty of reasons to be cautiously optimistic.
While spring training stats can be misleading, they shouldn't be ignored entirely. The Rangers have racked up 165 runs this spring, placing them 11th in MLB, and they’re tied for fifth in home runs with Seattle at 43. With a .250 batting average and 158 RBIs, the offensive potential is evident.
In Friday’s explosive third inning, every player in the lineup contributed-whether it was drawing walks, hitting sacrifice flies, or driving in runs with doubles. Of course, there are still question marks, like Joc Pederson and Josh Jung, who remain somewhat unproven. Yet, the lineup Schumaker has been testing could very well be the one that sparks a surge in offensive output this season.
The Rangers have faced offensive challenges in recent years, prompting changes in both coaching staff and player roster. With new batting coaches Justin Viele and Alex Cintron, the team is embracing a straightforward approach. As Viele explained, the focus is on patience and playing to each player’s strengths.
“For example, we're not expecting Cody Freeman to hit homers with a 110 mph exit velocity, but we want him to be a tough out,” Viele shared. “We’re not counting on Josh Jung to have a 12% walk rate, but we do expect him to get hits and cause damage. It’s about building confidence by amplifying their strengths.”
This spring, the Rangers’ at-bats have shown improvement. While there are still occasional missteps-like chasing curveballs or grounding out early in the count-the lineup is starting to gel, playing to their unique talents and showing signs of what could be a promising season ahead.