If you’re a Rangers fan, the idea of running back a lineup that sputtered through stretches of 2025 might not exactly spark celebration. Offensive inconsistency was the Achilles’ heel last season, and it cost Texas a shot at October baseball. But there are reasons to believe 2026 could look – and feel – a whole lot different.

The projected Opening Day lineup includes some key tweaks, and more importantly, it leans on the natural bounce-back potential of several hitters who underperformed a year ago. Baseball has a funny way of evening things out over time, and if the bats start trending back toward career norms – and the pitching staff stays relatively healthy – this team could easily push four wins better than last year’s total and land right around 85 victories. In a competitive AL West, that keeps them firmly in the mix.

Nimmo Leads the Charge in a New-Look Top of the Order

Let’s start with the most notable change: Marcus Semien is gone. The veteran All-Star is off to New York, and stepping into the leadoff spotlight is Brandon Nimmo, the Rangers’ biggest offseason acquisition. Nimmo brings a different flavor to the top of the order – a slightly better batting average, a stronger on-base profile, and enough pop to make pitchers uncomfortable from pitch one.

Nimmo’s durability is a big plus, too. He’s played at least 151 games in each of the last four seasons, and that kind of consistency is something the Rangers sorely missed last year. If he can keep setting the table, this offense has the pieces to do some damage.

Langford and Seager Form a Dangerous Top Three

Wyatt Langford slots in behind Nimmo, and the young outfielder is still very much on the rise. He posted a 20-20 season in 2025, but his .241 average and strikeout rate suggest there’s room to grow. If Langford can tighten up his two-strike approach and focus on more contact, especially with Nimmo on base, he could become a dynamic No. 2 hitter.

Then comes Corey Seager, the anchor of this lineup – when he’s healthy. That’s the eternal question with Seager: Can he stay on the field?

If he does, you’re looking at MVP-level production and Gold Glove-caliber defense at shortstop. He’s the kind of player who can carry a team for weeks at a time.

The Rangers don’t need him to be Superman – just to be available.

Burger, Pederson, and the Middle of the Order Puzzle

Jake Burger enters 2026 with something to prove. Injuries derailed his debut season in Texas, and he never found a consistent rhythm at the plate.

His .236 average with 16 homers and 56 RBI was underwhelming, especially considering his role as a potential cleanup threat. But if he can stay healthy and rediscover his stroke, Burger has the kind of raw power that could make him a serious run producer behind the top trio.

Then there’s Joc Pederson. No way around it – last year was rough.

The $17 million designated hitter turned in career-worst numbers across the board, slashing .181/.285/.328. If the Rangers are going to get anything close to their money’s worth, Pederson needs a reset.

He doesn’t have to be an All-Star, but something in the ballpark of .255 with 25 homers and 70 RBI would go a long way in lengthening this lineup.

Filling the Semien Void: Josh Smith Steps In

Replacing Semien isn’t just about production – it’s about durability, leadership, and presence. Josh Smith will get the first crack at filling those shoes at second base.

He flashed real potential in the first half of last season but faded down the stretch. The big question: Can he hold up over a full 145-150 game slate?

If he can maintain even league-average offense and stay steady defensively, the Rangers will take it.

Jung’s Rollercoaster Ride Continues

Josh Jung’s 2025 season was a microcosm of the Rangers’ year – thrilling highs, frustrating lows, and ultimately a lesson in resilience. He weathered a demotion and a benching, but still managed to put up a .251 average with 14 home runs and 61 RBI.

Those numbers are below his ceiling, but Jung showed mental toughness that could pay dividends in 2026. If he can find more consistency, he’s a sneaky candidate to break out.

Catching Stability with Higashioka and Jansen

Behind the plate, Kyle Higashioka was a quiet success story last year. Originally brought in to back up Jonah Heim, he ended up earning the starting job heading into spring, with Danny Jansen now in the mix as a platoon partner.

Higgy hit .241 with 11 homers in just over 300 at-bats and played solid defense. He knows the pitching staff well and gives the Rangers a steady hand behind the dish.

Evan Carter: The Catalyst at the Bottom

Rounding out the lineup is Evan Carter, who’s perfectly suited for the nine-hole. He works counts, runs well, and can flip the lineup with quality at-bats.

Health remains the big concern – Carter has struggled to stay on the field – but when he’s right, he’s a spark plug. Rangers fans haven’t forgotten his 2023 postseason breakout, and if he can recapture some of that magic, he makes this lineup that much more dangerous.

Bottom Line: The 2026 Rangers aren’t reinventing the wheel, but they don’t have to. With a few key additions, a little better luck on the health front, and some natural regression to the mean for their underperformers, this is a roster that can absolutely compete.

The AL West won’t make it easy – it rarely does – but don’t count Texas out. If the bats wake up and the arms hold steady, this team has the tools to be right in the thick of it come September.