The Texas Rangers entered the 2026 MLB season with renewed expectations and a sense of urgency after missing the playoffs in consecutive years following their 2023 World Series victory. During the offseason, the organization made several key changes, including reshaping the roster, hiring manager Skip Schumaker, and adding pitcher MacKenzie Gore to strengthen an already solid rotation. There was optimism that the offense would naturally improve, especially after encouraging performances in spring training. Josh Smith looked sharp at the plate, while Wyatt Langford posted an eye-catching OPS of 1.468, giving fans reason to believe a turnaround was coming.
However, just a couple of weeks into the regular season, that optimism has quickly faded. While the Rangers have managed to stay around the .500 mark, their offensive struggles have become increasingly apparent. At the center of those issues is Josh Smith, whose performance has been one of the most disappointing storylines so far. Through 14 games, Smith is hitting just .174 with a .255 on-base percentage and a matching .174 slugging percentage. He has yet to hit a home run and has driven in only two runs, making his early-season slump a significant concern for a team that was counting on him to be a key contributor.
Smith’s struggles go beyond a simple slow start—they are bordering on historically poor. With only eight hits in 46 at-bats and no extra-base hits, all of his production has come from singles. His April numbers are even more alarming, as he has hit just .115 in 26 at-bats, with minimal plate discipline and no signs of power. These results are far from expectations, especially considering projections had him hitting around .248 based on his career average and previous success, including a Silver Slugger award during the Rangers’ championship season.
The underlying issues are also troubling. Smith’s exit velocity has dropped, he is not working counts effectively, and he appears unable to consistently make solid contact—something that had previously been a strength of his game. This marks the second straight year he has started slowly, raising concerns that his struggles are no longer temporary but could persist throughout the season.
Compounding the frustration for fans is the offseason trade that sent Marcus Semien to the Mets in exchange for Brandon Nimmo. While Semien had an underwhelming year, he still provided stability and consistency in the lineup. Smith was expected to step into that role, but instead, his lack of production has left a noticeable void.
Smith is not the only player struggling. Wyatt Langford, who was the team’s standout performer in 2025, also got off to a rough start, hitting just .105 in his first 19 at-bats. Although he has shown slight improvement recently, his overall numbers remain below expectations. His increased strikeout rate and a lingering quad injury have further complicated matters, limiting his effectiveness and availability.
Despite these offensive challenges, the Rangers’ pitching staff has performed well. The rotation, led by Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, and MacKenzie Gore, has kept the team competitive. Gore, in particular, has lived up to expectations following his acquisition. However, bullpen inconsistencies remain an issue, continuing a trend from the previous season.
Ultimately, the Rangers’ biggest concern lies with their offense. After ranking near the bottom of the league in 2025, the hope was for a significant improvement this year. Instead, key players like Smith and Langford have struggled, leaving the team once again relying heavily on pitching. For Texas to avoid another disappointing season, their lineup must improve quickly—and for Josh Smith, time is running out to turn things around.
Leave a Reply