Texas Rangers: This Season is on the Young Guys

The Texas Rangers’ 2026 season is a wrap. They staved off elimination until the final game of the regular season, but alas, the Rangers finished second in the AL West and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season. Don’t let their playoff push fool you; this was a flawed 80-82 season marred by a number of offenders. Perhaps the main culprit: the Rangers’ “emerging talent.”

The Rangers entered 2026 counting on their young players to take the next step. Rangers fans clung to:

• Wyatt Langford unleashing his full potential in year three.
• A healthy Evan Carter elevating the offense and defense.
• Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker becoming forces in the rotation.
• Marquee offseason acquisition Mackenzie Gore bringing ace potential to the rotation.

Boy did they disappoint.

Langford had a few stellar stretches, but practically recycled previous years’ numbers. His 119 OPS+ split the difference between 2025 (123 OPS+) and 2024 (115 OPS+). He played in 25 fewer games this year compared to last and recorded a career-low 3.6 WAR. His game did not take a step forward, like the Rangers needed it to.

And when the Rangers need him most—in September while they were competing for a division title—Langford slashed .185/.337/.309. He generated hardly any power and fanned more times than he had in any other month.

Carter was, well, terrible offensively in 2026. Among center fielders with at least 300 plate appearances, Carter ranked last in batting average and slugging percentage. He continued to be a significant burden against left-handed pitching, slashing .134/.194/.134 with no extra-base hits and no RBI in 67 at-bats.

Yes, he played a nice center field, but his defensive prowess was severely overshadowed by his ineptitude at the plate. Carter has quickly gone from franchise player to borderline big leaguer. He’ll be fighting for a roster spot next spring.

Leiter and Rocker, the Rangers’ Vanderbilt tandem, also left much to be desired in 2026. Leiter made just 15 starts before being shut down due to a right ankle injury. He struggled when healthy, producing a 5.29 ERA and 3-7 record. When reflecting on the full season, he is an afterthought.

Rocker fought valiantly all season, making 27 starts and posting a 4.38 ERA with 138 strikeouts. He’s still hard to figure, dominant at times but continuously prone to the blow-up inning. He had trouble working deep into games, averaging fewer than five innings per appearance. The Rangers may have put too much on his shoulders by more than doubling his innings load from the previous season. After a full season as a starter, Rocker still hasn’t shown enough to instill confidence that he can thrive in the role.

Gore led the Rangers in innings pitched and starts. Admirable, but the product he put forth was often shaky. He ended the year with a 4.58 ERA and an 84 ERA+. His 3.69 BB/9 ranked 77th among pitchers who threw at least 130 innings. The Rangers expected more from the 27-year-old who cost them five prospects in the January trade. Gore did not produce like a top-of-the-rotation pitcher.

Youth let the Rangers down in 2026. Now it’s up to the individuals and the organization to ensure it doesn’t let them down again in 2027.