4 bold predictions for the Texas Rangers in 2025

Hot takes are extremely common during this time of year.

Each season, new events happen and the unexpected blindsides us all. Whether its a player going for a career year or someone returning to their prime form, there is something major that happens every year.

Here are 4 predictions for the upcoming season.

The 2025 Texas Rangers will set single-season franchise home run record

The team record for home runs in a season is currently 260 set in 2005. That would require an average of 1.61 home runs per 9 innings to top this record. While that is a daunting number, there are many reasons to believe this lineup can do this.

Josh Jung and Evan Carter just had horrible injury luck that they look to rebound from. Jung couldn't avoid getting hit multiple times that led to him only appearing in 46 games. Carter only appeared in 45 due to long-term back issues. Both players appear to be healthy for the 2025 season and make this lineup even deeper than before.

The offseason additions of Joc Pederson, Jake Burger and Kyle Higashioka brings in 70 home runs into a lineup that already has plenty of pop. Adolis Garcia is healthy and already set a goal of 50+ home runs. There are reasons to doubt this, but also a lot to back it up. He even debuted a new quick swing with less leg kick that was vastly different from his 2024 stance.

Wyatt Langford is another name to watch. It felt like it took forever for Langford to hit his first one out last year but an increased role in the lineup and certainly adds up to more than 16 this year.

There is depth across the board that looks to go for records this season. Every bat on the roster has pop that can go yard any given moment. All of this comes together to feature a lineup that I could see reaching the 261 home run mark.

Josh Smith plays 8 different positions this year

Not every prediction has to be earth shattering. This is a prediction that has more layers to think about than you could realize.

The first layer is health of the lineup. Smith already projects to be ultimate utitlity and has received his vote of support from manager Bruce Bochy.

If somebody goes down at any position besides catcher, Smith could be next up. Smith has made jaw-dropping plays at third base, shortstop and the outfield. There is no question about the ability, only if the opportunities arise.

The second layer is the fun one. Nobody hopes to use a position player to pitch at any point of a game but is a fun moment in a bleak situation. If there is a situation where a position player needs to pitch, Smith would be my number one pick to do so.

The last layer is to give guys rest and have somebody that can fill their spot. If somebody needs a day off, Smith can fill in. I fully expect a big season from Smith, and would expect it to come from every different position.

The 2025 Texas Rangers win at least 4 Silver Slugger Awards

This is as spicy of a hot take that you can find as winning this many silver sluggers is incredibly difficult to do, but not impossible. There are plenty of names on this roster that give the Rangers a strong case can do this.

Corey Seager, one of the top shortstops in the league faces stiff competition for the award but also has the deepest lineup in his time with Texas. For him it's a matter of health and outperforming other shortstops.

Other bats that can seriously contend for the award are Jung, Garcia, Semien and Burger. Although Jung or Burger hasn't played a full 162-game season, their healthy stints have shown major promise. Garcia, expected to rebound offensively, is also a strong candidate.

Semien could have a clear path to the award with Altuve shifting to the outfield. He will also benefit from lineup depth as well as an increase in hittable pitches.

Smith, the reigning utility silver slugger, is critical to that success and I expect him to retain it this year. There is not much competition for this position and Smith projects to be the best utility in the AL this year.

We have no idea what to expect from Langford but good things are coming because there is truly nothing he can't do on the field. Finally, Burger is an offensive machine. In a lineup that gave him zero protection in Miami, he had 29 homers and 76 RBIs with a .250 batting average. I easily see those increasing in Texas.

Bruce Bochy Does Not Retire Following the Season

The rumors of Bochy's retirmenent have run deep. The soon to be 70 year old manager still has his fastball in the dugout and has an incredibly fun team for the upcoming season.

Presiden of Baseball Operations Chris Young has made it clear that this is Bochy's decision. There is nothing left to prove for Bochy in baseball. He has done everything as a manager, winning four World Series championships.

But Bochy loves the game of baseball and that joy has not gone anywhere during his time with Texas. Winning a fifth World Series, tying him with second-most all time, is only one thing that I think would make him retire on top.

The Rangers likely have their eventual manager replacement in Skip Schumaker and I don't think that is being rushed.

Bochy loves the game, loves Texas, and more importantly loves this team. I don't see Bochy retiring following the season and fully expect him to be back and leading the Texas Rangers in 2026.