Top 10 Texas Rangers players who only played one season in Arlington

Since the Texas Rangers‘ inception into the American League as the Washington Senators in 1961, well over 1,000 players have played at least one season for the organization.  Some of the players left as free agents, some were traded, some retired, and some are continuing to wear the precious Rangers uniform.

Here are the Top 10 players who only played part of one season in the Washington/Texas organization. (all information found at baseball-reference.com). And don’t forget to check out other top-10 rankings!

Top one and done Texas Rangers: #1- Ian Desmond (2016)

GP: 156

AB: 625

R: 107

H: 178

HR: 22

RBI: 86

SB: 21

AVG: .285

OBP: .335

In February 2016, Ian Desmond signed a one-year $8M contract to play CF for the Rangers.  In November of the same year, Desmond elected free agency and signed with the Colorado Rockies.

For his career, Desmond played 11 years in MLB, including the last three with Colorado.

Desmond played 1,478 games, hit 181 HR, added 711 RBI, and swiped 181 bases.

Desmond made two All-Star appearances (2012, 2016), and won three Silver Slugger Awards (2012, 2013, 2014) when he played SS for the Washington Nationals.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Desmond opted out of the 2020 and 2021 seasons and forfeited $25M in salary.  The Rockies declined Desmond’s $15M option for 2022 and at 36, he is currently a free agent.

#2- Bobby Bonds (1978)

GP: 130

AB: 475

R: 85

H: 126

HR: 29

RBI: 82

SB: 37

AVG: .265

OBP: .356

In May 1978, Bobby Bonds was traded to the Texas Rangers in the deal that sent Claudell Washington to the Chicago White Sox.  In October of the same year, Bonds and Len Barker were traded to Cleveland as part of the Jim Kern deal.

In 1969, while Bonds was a member of the San Francisco Giants, Bonds became the first player in MLB history to hit 30+ HR and steal 30+ bases in the same season.  He would go on to exceed the feat on four more occasions including 1978 when he was a member of the Rangers.

For his career, Bonds played 14 years in MLB, including his final year (1981) when he was a member of the Chicago Cubs

Bonds played 1,849 games, hit 332 HR, 1,024 RBI, and swiped 461 bases.

Bonds was a three-time All-Star (1971, 1973, 1975), a three-time Gold Glove Award winner (1971, 1973, 1974), and in 2008 was enshrined into the San Francisco Giants Wall of Fame.

In August 2003, Bonds passed away at the age of 57 after complications from lung cancer and a brain tumor.

#4- Otis Nixon  (1995)

GP: 139

AB: 589

R: 87

H: 174

HR: 0

RBI: 45

SB: 50/71

AVG: .295

OBP: .357

In December 1994, Otis Nixon and 3B Luis Ortiz were traded from Boston to Texas for Jose Canseco.  Nixon was paid $3.15M to play OF for the Rangers for one season.  In November 1995, Nixon was granted free agency and signed with the Toronto Blue Jays.

For his career, Nixon played 17 seasons in MLB.  After playing his final season for the Atlanta Braves, Nixon retired from baseball, at the age of 40.

Nixon played 1,709 games, for eight different teams in his MLB career.  He was known as possibly the fastest player during his era in MLB.  In 1982, while playing AA/AAA in the New York Yankees organization, Nixon stole 107 bases.

In 1995, while he was a member of Texas, Nixon lead the AL with 151 singles.

In his 17 MLB seasons, Nixon was in the Top 10 in SB on 11 occasions.  His career high SB occurred in 1991 when he swiped 72 bases.  In total, Nixon swiped 620 bases and currently sits 16th in MLB history.

#5- Milton Bradley (2008)

GP: 126

AB: 414

R: 78

H: 133

HR: 22

RBI: 77

SB: 5/8

AVG: .321

OBP: .436

In December 2007, Milton Bradley signed a one-year $5.25M contract to play OF for the Texas Rangers.  In October 2008, Bradley was granted free agency and signed with the Chicago Cubs.

In 1999, prior to playing in the majors, Bradley won a Silver Medal at the Pan Am Games when he represented the USA.

For his career, Bradley played 12 seasons in MLB, including his final two seasons playing for the Seattle Mariners.

Bradley played 1,042 games, hit 125 HR, collected 481 RBI, and added 88 SB.

Bradley made his only All-Star appearance in 2008, when he was a member of the Texas Rangers.  He lead the AL with a .436 OBP during his only season with Texas.

#6- Aurelio Rodriguez (1970)

GP: 142

AB: 547

R: 64

H: 135

HR: 19

RBI: 76

SB: 15/20

AVG: .247

OBP: .300

Aurelio Rodriguez was the first A-Rod to play for the Texas Rangers.  Rodriguez started his career when he was 19, playing for the California Angels.  After 17 games into the 1970 season, Rodriguez was traded to the Washington Senators.

In October 1970, Rodriguez was involved in an eight player trade with the Detroit Tigers.  Rodriguez was regarded as the best player in this blockbuster trade with Detroit.

For his career, Rodriguez played 17 seasons in MLB, including nine seasons manning the hot corner in Detroit.

Rodriguez played 2,017 games, hit 124 HR, collected 648 RBI, and added 35 SB.

In 1976, Rodriguez won the Gold Glove Award.  In 1995, Rodriguez was inducted into the Mexican Professional Baseball Hall of Fame (Salón de la Fama del Beisbol Profesional de México).

#7- Nathaniel Lowe (2021)

GP: 157

AB: 557

R: 75

H: 147

HR: 18

RBI: 72

SB: 8/8

AVG: .264

OBP: .357

Nathaniel Lowe was acquired by Texas from the Tampa Bay Rays in December 2020.  In 2021, Lowe played 1B for the Rangers.

Prior to playing in MLB, Lowe played 405 games in the Rays minor league system.  Playing at five different levels in four years, Lowe collected 54 HR and 264 RBI.

Lowe is currently a member of the Texas Rangers.  If he remains with the Rangers into next season, he will be taken off this all-time list.

Lowe just finished his first full season in the majors.  In 228 career games, Lowe has hit 29 HR and 102 RBI.  He is also 9/9 in career SB attempts.

Unless he is traded, Lowe’s MLB rights remain with Texas until after the 2025 season, then he can become a free agent.

#8– Darryl Hamilton (1996)

GP: 148

AB: 627

R: 94

H:184

HR: 6

RBI: 51

SB: 15/20

AVG: .293

OBP: .348

In December 1995, Darryl Hamilton signed a one-year $1.3M contract to play OF for the Texas Rangers.  In November 1996, Hamilton was granted free agency and signed with the San Francisco Giants.

For his career, Hamilton played 13 seasons in MLB, including the last three seasons with the New York Mets.

Hamilton played 1,328 games, hit 51 HR, 454 RBI, and swiped 163 SB.

In 2014, Darryl Hamilton was enshrined onto the Milwaukee Brewers Wall of Honor.

#9- Willie Horton (1977)

GP: 139

AB: 519

R: 55

H: 150

HR: 15

RBI: 75

SB: 2

AVG: .289

OBP: .337

In April 1977, after parts of 15 seasons playing for the Detroit Tigers, Willie Horton was traded to the Texas Rangers.  In February 1978, Texas traded Horton to the Cleveland Indians.

For his career, Horton played 18 seasons in MLB, including his final two seasons playing for the Seattle Mariners.

Playing mainly OF/DH, Horton played 2,028 games in MLB collecting 1,993 hits, 325 HR and 1,163 RBI.

Horton was a four-time All-Star (1965, 1968, 1970, 1973), a World Series Champion (1968) and in 2000 had his #23 retired by the Detroit Tigers.

#10- A.J. Pierzynski (2013)

GP: 134

AB: 503

R: 48

H: 137

HR: 17

RBI: 70

SB: 1

AVG: .272

OBP: .297

In December 2012, A.J. Pierzynski signed a one-year $7.5M contract to play C for the Texas Rangers.  In October 2013, Pierzynski was granted free agency and signed with the Boston Red Sox.

For his career, Pierzynski played 19 seasons in MLB, including his final two seasons playing for the Atlanta Braves.

Pierzynski played 2,059 games, hit 188 HR and collected 909 RBI.

Pierzynski played in two All-Star games (2002, 2006), was a World Series Champion (2005), and won the Silver Slugger Award in 2012.

One and done Texas Rangers- Honorable Mention

David Segui played 93 games for the Rangers in 2000.  He had 118 hits, 11 HR, 57 RBI, a .336 AVG, and .391 OBP during his brief tenure in Texas.  In July 2000, Segui was traded to Cleveland for Ricky Ledee.

Kenny Lofton started the 2007 season as the Rangers CF.  In 84 games, Lofton had 96 hits, 7 HR, 23 RBI, 21 SB, a .303 AVG, and a .380 OBP. In July 2007, Lofton was traded to Cleveland where he enjoyed most of his MLB success. At 40, Lofton played his final 54 games in an Indians unform before retiring as a player.