How a 34-Year-Old Designated Hitter Is Elevating the Anemic 2026 Texas Rangers Offense
The Texas Rangers have had a rocky start to the 2026 regular season, and it starts with the offense's struggles. Inconsistent at-bats and injuries have weighed them down in the midst of a tight race for the American League West crown. Still, after losing the second round of the Lone Star Series to the Houston Astros three games to one, adjustments will be needed, along with evaluations of who the Rangers want in the batting lineup. Through these struggles, one batter has made it clear he belongs at the top of the batting lineup, and that’s none other than Joc Pederson. Through late-game heroics and setting the tone early, Pederson has solidified himself at the top of the batting lineup, with him hitting out of the leadoff spot recently.
The Rangers, as a whole, have lost six of their last seven games, getting swept by their division rivals, the Los Angeles Angels, to start the torment. Then, on Memorial Day, the squad got slapped in the face with a combined no-hitter by the Astros pitching staff, further frustrating not only the team but the fans. The Rangers were able to respond by taking game two of the series following an eight-run first inning, winning 10-7. Unfortunately, the now 25-31 squad was not able to build off what seemed like a monstrous win, and dropped the last two games of the series. In the midst of the rollercoaster-like performances, Pederson has been a reliable hitter for the Rangers. In the last six games, the 34-year-old has notched five hits, hitting at a .278 AVG, driving in five runs batted in, with three of his five hits coming via the long ball.
Throughout his career, Pederson has always been known for his power hitting, especially when he was with the Dodgers, and now fans are starting to feel as if he’s starting to get that groove back with the home run ball working in his favor. His recent surge only adds fuel to the conversation surrounding whether the Rangers should fully commit to power hitting during the 2026 season as they look to climb back into contention. Along with his power hitting, he’s also been smart in the batter's box, only striking out and walking once. In the series against Houston, the two-time MLB all-star had a combined four hits, two being home runs. The May 27th game showed fans a glimpse of the 2019 30-home run club with Pederson hitting a 423-foot no-doubter in the bottom of the third inning, and later, when the Rangers were down, he hit a 402-foot liner of a home run to right-center field for some late-game heroics. It’s also safe to note that he singled in the bottom of the first in the leadoff spot, capping off a three-hit night.
A notable performance comes from May 19th, when the Rangers visited the Colorado Rockies on a cold, rainy night. Pederson was thrown into the lineup to pinch hit, and he took advantage of the opportunity right out of the gate. In that game, the two-time World Series Champion had four hits; three being singles, and the fourth a sharp double to left field. He etched his name into the Texas Rangers record books by setting a franchise record for the most hits in a single game by a player who didn’t start. This performance was the one that gave the clubhouse the utmost confidence in Pederson, as he’s come back from an early-season slump himself. If he can continue his momentum later into the season, especially as we get closer to the trade deadline, with reinforcements on the way, Pederson can find himself being the leader the Rangers brought him in to be, and bring the team closer to the top in the division standings.
