2 Rangers offensive players pushing for bigger role in 2026

Even in the most barren of land can have a flower rise up out of it. This has been the Rangers offense all year. Very few have had regular seasons for themselves, but almost all have been unplayable.

2 additions have rose above the rest to show that they can play. When there have been runs scored lately, it likely has been because of them. They are gaining a larger role this year and pushing for one next year.

Despite being veterans that looked to be a finished product earlier in the year, both of them have revived their seasons.

2 Rangers that are pushing for bigger roles

Kyle Higashioka

Higgy has been a tale of 2 halves. The once backup catcher has taken the starter role and ran with it. He is currently on pace to have his highest WAR across a season in his career while still calling an incredible game.

It is not a coincidence that Rangers pitchers have been on a tear all year when Higgy has been catching. His defense and ability to call a game is what kept him in the bigs for a while but his bat has really come around.

The career .220 hitter has his season average up to .259 with 9 home runs in just 66 games. He has been one of the best bats in the lineup as of recently. There hasn't been much fan love for him this season but he has risen up to the challenge.

His ability to keep pitchers comfortable and a surging bat have him pushing to be the starting catcher in 2026. There is certain to be movement at the position soon and the answer may already be on the roster. Pitchers rave about him behind the plate and he will have their support.

Higgy is already under contract for 2026 and has nobody coming up soon to contest for the role inside of the organization. If the front office decides to spend or trade elsewhere, he very likely could be the lead backstop instead of the backup in Arlington next season.

Rowdy Tellez

Once a Seattle Mariner this season, Tellez has since switched to the good guys side and tried to revive the dead season. His walk off home run against the Diamondbacks even kept fans dying hopes alive for another day.

Since arriving in Texas, he has appeared in 18 games and has a slash line of .279/.333/.488 for a .821 OPS. He has absolutely been the best bat in that time and been a key to winning multiple games.

Tellez has been around the block in his career, enjoyed good seasons, and seen success. He hit a downswing early this year and was given a mulligan by Texas. This has seemed to be a good decision and he may have found a role next year.

With Joc Pederson, Ezequiel Duran, Adolis Garcia, and Jonah Heim looking to potentially be done for 2026 in Arlington, Tellez may be able to make the roster. There will undoubtedly be roster movement, heavily with the offense, and Tellez is making his case to at least get a spot.

Chris Young and company saw something in him to give him a shot this year. If he still sees something for him next year, he has given no reason to be off the team.