3 Rangers position players who are about to enter spring training already on thin ice

After a disastrous offensive season in 2025, Chris Young and Skip Schumaker will be looking to right the ship with better production this season and that begins in Surprise, Arizona on February 20.

There is a short list of positional players who are on thin ice before pitchers and catchers arrive in only two weeks, and need to produce right away and into the regular season if the team wants to contend for the American League West.

These Rangers need to turn it around quickly with the bat

Josh Jung, 3B

Every Rangers' fan saw what a difficult year it was for the former all-star as he struggled to the point that he was demoted to the minor leagues and later benched for several games by Bruce Bochy.

The frustrating part about watching Jung struggle so badly is that we've all seen what he is capable of at the plate, and when he is going well, the team often follows. Add to that a Gold Glove-level play at third base, and his plate discipline issues feel more pressing and difficult to take than those of other players.

Jung knows that he used all the leverage he has in 2025, and that there won't be a lot of patience if he gets off to a slow start.

Evan Carter, OF

The wunderkind from small-town Tennessee splashed onto the scene and into fans hearts with an astounding 2023 postseason that was integral in winning the World Series.

Unfortunately for Carter, he has experienced a myriad of injuries over the last two seasons and has been unable to stay on the field for long stretches, which has hindered his ability to find his rhythm. He also still struggles to figure out left-handed pitching, which has made it necessary to sit him from time to time.

You have to start to wonder how much more patience the organization will have with the injury-prone outfielder moving forward, so it would behoove him to get off to a solid start and stay healthy as spring training is right around the corner.

Joc Pederson, DH

This player is a no-brainer as he turned in what is arguably the worst season by a designated hitter in franchise history last season with a slash of .181/.235/.328. It's actually a small miracle that his bWAR was only -0.3 and not worse.

The Rangers had little choice but to hope that he came around last season as they were on the hook for a cool $37 million over two years, but he won' get the same leeway this season. Owner Ray Davis will have far less patience and might be willing to eat the remaining portion if Joc doesn't come to spring training in better shape that he is ready to be the kind of contributor they paid for.

Everyone is rooting for Pederson to rebound in 2026 because he's a great locker room guy. Still, the lack of production last season was astounding and puts him on thin ice this season.