Wyatt Langford #36 of the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers Counting on Youth to Rebound from Disappointing 2024
The Texas Rangers reached the pinnacle of baseball glory in 2023, capturing their first-ever World Series title after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, their reign atop the MLB landscape was short-lived, as they stumbled to a disappointing 78-win season in 2024, missing the postseason entirely.
With the sting of last year’s struggles still fresh, the Rangers have been aggressive this offseason, making strategic upgrades to their roster and revamping a bullpen that faltered at critical moments. A return to full health for key contributors will also be essential after injuries derailed much of their 2024 campaign.
A Youth Movement on the Horizon
One of the primary ways Texas aims to regain its form is by leaning on its young talent. The Rangers saw outfield prospect Wyatt Langford emerge as a breakout star in his rookie campaign, and they are optimistic that fellow outfielder Evan Carter will follow suit after an injury-plagued season. Additionally, they hope third baseman Josh Jung can stay healthy and continue to be a cornerstone of the lineup.
While the lineup remains deep and potent, much of the Rangers’ fate in 2025 will hinge on the development of their young pitching prospects. Kumar Rocker, Jack Leiter, and Cody Bradford are expected to play significant roles behind veterans Nathan Eovaldi, Jacob deGrom, and Tyler Mahle in the starting rotation.
Prospect Volatility Raises Questions
Projecting contributions from young pitchers is always a challenge, and Texas is no exception. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel recently highlighted the Rangers’ farm system as one of the most volatile in baseball, ranking them 16th overall with a system value of $192 million—down from 12th and $228 million the previous year.
“The Rangers’ system has been one of baseball’s most volatile recently,” McDaniel wrote. “RHP Kumar Rocker’s and RHP Jack Leiter’s past few seasons have been a roller coaster, SS Sebastian Walcott went from interesting international signee to a top-20 prospect in the game pretty quickly, RHP Alejandro Rosario and RHP Winston Santos rose almost out of nowhere, and RHP Brock Porter, RHP Owen White, and 1B Abimelec Ortiz have varied wildly in value year-to-year.”
Leiter’s struggles have been particularly concerning. Once regarded as a future ace after being selected No. 2 overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, he is no longer considered a top-100 prospect following a disastrous major league debut in 2024. Meanwhile, Rocker’s ability to stay healthy remains a pressing question despite his high-end potential.
The Path Forward
While Texas still boasts one of the most formidable lineups in baseball, their success in 2025 may come down to how well their young arms develop. If Rocker and Leiter can finally live up to their potential and provide stability behind the team’s veteran starters, the Rangers will have a strong chance to rebound and reassert themselves as contenders.
On the other hand, if the volatility within their farm system persists, Texas could find itself in a precarious position once again. With spring training approaching, the Rangers are betting on their young talent to help push them back toward the top of the American League.
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