Texas Rangers Player Review: Michael Helman’s Brief Spark in a Tumultuous 2025 Season
As the dust settles on the Texas Rangers’ rollercoaster 2025 campaign, it’s time to take a closer look at the players who suited up in Arlington this past season. Today, we’re diving into the story of outfielder Michael Helman - a name that may not have led headlines, but certainly gave Rangers fans something to cheer about during a chaotic stretch.
Helman’s 2025 season was one of those unexpected feel-good stories that occasionally rise out of the grind of a long MLB season. If the Rangers had managed to complete their improbable September push and sneak into the playoffs, Helman might’ve found himself etched into team lore - the kind of underdog hero fans talk about for years. Think Francisco Cabrera in '92 or Tom Lawless in '87 - players who came out of nowhere to deliver in the biggest moments.
While Helman didn’t quite get that Hollywood ending, his run still offered a jolt of energy during a critical stretch.
Let’s rewind. Drafted by the Twins in the 11th round back in 2018 out of Texas A&M, Helman took the long road to the majors.
He got his first taste of big-league action in 2024 with Minnesota, logging just 10 plate appearances across nine games - but somehow managing to appear at four different positions. That versatility would prove to be one of his key assets.
In 2025, Helman’s journey was a whirlwind. He was traded to the Cardinals for cash considerations before spring training, then claimed off waivers by the Pirates in May, and shortly after, claimed again by the Rangers. That’s three organizations in a matter of months - the life of a depth player fighting to stick.
For most of the season, Helman was exactly that: depth. He bounced between Triple-A and the majors, serving as a plug-and-play option when injuries hit. And when the Rangers were decimated by injuries in August, Helman got his chance - and made the most of it.
For about three weeks, Helman was electric. From August 23 through September 13, he slashed .294/.345/.627 in 56 plate appearances.
He wasn’t just holding his own - he was producing in a big way, both at the plate and in the field. He played a sharp center field, brought speed to the basepaths, and delivered in clutch moments.
The highlight? A two-game stretch against the Brewers where he drove in all five runs in a 5-0 win - including a grand slam off José Quintana - and followed it up with a game-tying homer the very next day. For a team desperately trying to stay afloat in the playoff race, Helman’s burst couldn’t have come at a better time.
At that point, the Rangers were just two games back in both the AL West and the Wild Card picture. The team was surging, and Helman was right in the middle of it.
But baseball can be cruel. After that September 13 win over the Mets, the Rangers fell into an eight-game losing streak that effectively ended their postseason hopes.
And Helman, like the team, cooled off. Over his final stretch, he slashed just .162/.205/.216 - a stark contrast to his earlier production.
Still, for the season, Helman posted a .232/.290/.455 line in 110 plate appearances, with five home runs and a 1.0 bWAR. That’s a solid return for a player who started the year as Triple-A insurance. His performance sparked some conversation about whether he could earn a spot on the 2026 Opening Day roster - perhaps in a platoon role or as a fourth outfielder.
But when you dig into the underlying numbers, the picture gets a little murkier.
Helman didn’t walk much, and while his strikeout rate wasn’t alarming, it wasn’t offset by a strong batting average. His on-base percentage hovered below .300, which is a tough sell for a regular contributor. His power was a pleasant surprise - five homers in 110 plate appearances is a nice pop rate - but it came with some red flags.
The batted-ball data tells a more sobering story. Helman’s average exit velocity and hard-hit rate were near the bottom of the league. His expected stats - a .250 xwOBA and .323 xSLG - suggest that his hot streak may not be sustainable over the long haul.
So where does that leave him?
Helman still brings value to the Rangers’ roster. He’s fast, can play a dependable center field, and offers positional flexibility. As a 40-man roster option who can be stashed in Triple-A and called upon when injuries strike, he’s the kind of player every team needs over the course of a 162-game season.
But at 30 years old this May, and with a career .255/.327/.446 line across 266 Triple-A games, Helman looks more like a depth piece than a breakout candidate. His OPS at Triple-A Round Rock last year was 744 - the same as it was in the majors. That consistency is notable, but it also suggests a ceiling that might already be in view.
He’s the 39th or 40th man on a 40-man roster - a player who can help in a pinch, but also someone who’s likely to be on the waiver wire if the team needs to clear space.
Still, for a few weeks in late summer, Michael Helman gave Rangers fans something to rally around. And in a season full of ups and downs, that spark was worth remembering.