This veteran coach is the most underrated member of the 2025 Texas Rangers

For over two decades Mike Maddux has made his way to the mound, put his hands on the pitcher's shoulders, calmed him down with words of wisdom and it has worked masterfully.

Maddux, 64, has a long history with Major League Baseball. Not only did he play 15 seasons in the league, his younger brother, Greg Maddux, is a MLB National Hall of Fame pitcher. Beginning his pitching coach career back in 2003, Maddux has coached for four different organization, including the Rangers twice.

Maddux was brought back to the Texas Rangers in 2023 to head the pitching staff when Texas hired manager Bruce Bochy and it led Texas to the franchise's first World Series title.

Mike Maddux has transformed Rangers' pitching staff

Since Maddux rejoined the organization three seasons ago, he's led the transformation of several pitchers. Back in 2023, it was Dane Dunning and over the last couple of season it's been right-hander Nathan Eovaldi.

Historically, the Rangers have been mostly known for their offensive power and less for their pitching. Maddux has transformed that mindset over the last two seasons, no more than the 2025 season.

Entering play on Wednesday, the Rangers lead all of Major League Baseball in ERA (3.43), WHIP (1.18), runs allowed (492) and second in average against (.227). Then if you include Jacob Latz's spot start on Wednesday against the Angels, the starters allowed just five earned runs during the team's recent six-game home stand.

Of course, when healthy you always expect Jacob deGrom to be a shining star in your rotation and despite some minor struggles he's been exactly what you've paid him for. But he's also be transformational in the success of Patrick Corbin, Tyler Mahle, Jack Leiter and Eovaldi this year.

The 35-year-old Eovaldi was having a Cy Young-caliber season before his right rotator cuff strain. In 22 games this season, Eovaldi went 11-3 with a 1.73 ERA, 129 strikeouts, 21 walks, 0.85 WHIP and a .194 opponent batting average in 130 innings. That included an absolute dominant month of July where he won the American League Pitcher of the Month going 5-0 and surrendering only three runs.

Maddux has earned the trust of entire pitching staff

Throughout his career, he's been part of several top pitching staffs, award winners, postseason teams and even a World Series title.

His first coaching stint with Milwaukee lasted six seasons and during that stretch, the Brewers' pitching staff averaged 77 fewer runs than they had the previous seven years. His first stint with Texas from 2009-2015, the Rangers' staff had four consecutive sub-4.00 ERA seasons, including a 3.83 ERA from 2010-13 (3rd lowest in AL).

That resume alone does give Maddux a lot of good impressions on paper but it also speaks to his ability to lead and be an impactful voice in a big league clubhouse. It's what has helped Maddux be a voice that a lot of respected veteran pitchers trust and a fantastic resource for rookies finding their way in MLB.