The Texas Rangers are witnessing a familiar sight with Joc Pederson this spring, and if history serves as any guide, that might not be a bad omen.

Pederson’s performance in the final week of spring training has been less than stellar, with a .486 OPS in exhibition games. On the surface, this seems like a continuation of his underwhelming 2025 season, raising questions about his long-term role in Texas.

But if we dig into Pederson’s career trends, there’s a pattern worth noting: his spring training numbers often don’t align with his regular-season performance. In fact, they sometimes predict the opposite.

Take 2024, for example. Pederson boasted a 1.018 OPS in spring training but struggled when the games counted, notching his first regular-season homer in May.

The year before, after a lackluster spring, he delivered one of his standout seasons. This pattern of strong springs leading to uneven years and weak springs preceding strong performances has been a recurring theme.

Pederson isn’t sweating the current numbers. He’s been collaborating closely with his hitting instructor, Justin Viele, to refine his swing, focusing on improving his launch and power consistency with a more vertical approach.

The underlying stats tell an intriguing story. Pederson’s average exit velocity this spring is 94.2 mph, an uptick from 2025, indicating he’s making solid contact even if the results aren’t visible yet.

Despite a slow spring and a challenging 2025, the Rangers are placing their faith in Pederson’s ability to bounce back. Manager Skip Schumaker has affirmed that Pederson will remain in the lineup, praising his work ethic and experience. Chris Young, the president of baseball operations, shares this confidence, citing Pederson’s motivation and track record as indicators of a potential resurgence.

However, the pressure is on. Pederson is entering the final year of his contract, and the Rangers have other options at designated hitter, including seasoned players like Andrew McCutchen and Mark Canha, alongside younger, versatile talent.

For now, though, the Rangers are trusting the process. If history repeats itself, Pederson’s quiet spring could very well be the setup for a much-needed comeback season.