Rangers 2026 Opening Day projections 1.0: Mostly set in stone with a few surprises

Pitchers and catchers report to Surprise for another spring training on Tuesday gearing for a run at the playoffs after missing out on the postseason for the second straight year in 2025.

Quite frankly, the offseason started off slow but the Rangers did a solid job putting themselves back on the right track by getting rid of under performers and doing their best to rebuild a bullpen on a limited budget.

All that being said, before workouts kick into full swing, let's take a crack at our first spring training prediction of the Rangers 2026 Opening Day roster.

Projecting the Rangers' 2026 Opening Day roster

Despite a few names mising from the list that have been major players over the years, it's been months since we knew they were no longer on the Rangers' roster, therefore it's time to move forward. New manager Skip Schumaker is banking on the return to greatness of Jake Burger, Josh Jung and Joc Pederson to catapult this offense off their downward trajectory this year.

Other storylines will revolve around Josh Smith's transition to everyday second baseman, the splitting reps between Kyle Higashioka and Danny Jansen, Corey Seager remaining healthy for at least 130 games, Evan Carter's bounce back and what will Brandon Nimmo look like in his first Rangers' season.

Rangers Opening Day Position Players

Catchers: Kyle Higashioka, Danny Jansen

First Base: Jake Burger

Second Base: Josh Smith

Shortstop: Corey Seager

Third Base: Josh Jung

Outfielders: Wyatt Langford, Evan Carter, Brandon Nimmo

Designated Hitter: Joc Pederson

Bench: Ezequiel Duran, Cody Freeman, Sam Haggerty, Michael Helman

One of the best rotations in baseball got even better with the addition of MacKenzie Gore in January. Finishing with one of the top ERA's in the league as a team, the front duo of Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi could arguably be a top five 1-2 punch in MLB.

Match that with a hopeful continued rising of Jack Leiter, who finished seventh in the AL Rookie of the Year voting and struck out 148 batters in over 150 innings of work. Jacob Latz also could provide the second lefty and innings eater the team needs to rightfully transition again to the top of the rotation every fifth game.

Rangers Opening Day Rotation

• Jacob deGrom, RHP

• Nathan Eovaldi, RHP

• MacKenzie Gore, LHP

• Jack Leiter, RHP

• Jacob Latz LHP

The bullpen is in need of a reconstruction masterpiece and thankfully for Rangers' fans, President of Baseball Operations Chris Young and the coaching staff have done well in that cateogry the previous couple of seasons. A lot of question marks do remain as the team went cheap and came with it is inexperience and arms in desperate need for a comeback performance.

Intriguing names include newcomers Tyler Alexander, Ryan Brasier and Alexis Diaz with Diaz being the Opening Day closer. You might notice the addition of one arm currently not on the team but Texas would greatly benefit from adding him.

Rangers Opening Day Bullpen

• Tyler Alexander, LHP

• Ryan Brasier, RHP

• Alexis Diaz, RHP (closer)

• Robert Garcia, LHP

• Jakob Junis, RHP

• Chris Martin, RHP

• Nick Martinez, RHP

• Cole Winn, RHP