The All-Star Break was a welcomed rest for the Texas Rangers. Everyone in the organization, besides Jacob Latz, got time away from baseball to reset for the second half of the year. Emotions were certainly high the last time the Rangers were on the field, walking off the Houston Astros on Sunday afternoon.
Since then, there has been time to reflect on the first 96 games of the 2026 season. Four writers for The Prospect Times have come together to produce a roundtable on what's played out thus far, and even provide predictions for how things look in late September.
Before restarting the season on Friday vs. the Atlanta Braves, let's check out everyone's answers.
How are the Rangers performing relative to your preseason expectations?
Reggie Alford: I expected the Rangers to be a playoff team. Here we are at the All-Star break with that opportunity still in play. You can look at the American League and say, "Well, the AL isn't very good", or you can use the excuse that the AL West is bad, but regardless, the chance is there. By the way, the Rangers survived a brutal stretch of games vs good teams, survived a brutal stretch of road games. You did a lot of this without Seager and Langford in the lineup. You lost Jack Leiter as well. To me that's a positive sign. To me this team feels different than last year's team. I'm excited for the second half of the season.
Mason Hovind: With the overall record not really, but the way they have played recently, yes.
Kasey Jarvis: Honestly, a little around what I thought they’d be at except I didn’t think we’d be in first place at this point. We’ve overcome a lot with a resurgence of Josh Jung and Duran. Seager being out most of the year, along with Langford, has really hurt us. So for what it’s worth, we’re doing a lot better than we probably should have.
Griffin McVeigh: From a record standpoint, probably a little worse than I expected. Not really sure I ever thought of what the All-Star break record would be but likely guesses would have been better than two games over .500. Now, from an AL West/AL Wild Card standpoint, the Rangers are exceeding them.
What do you think of the job Skip Schumaker has done thus far?
Reggie Alford: I think it's hard to give him a true fair grade at the moment due to all the injuries. I think for the most part Skip has done a pretty decent job keeping this team afloat with all things considered. Some of my biggest questions with him are pinch-hit situations that seem to have no feel for the game to them. Makes me think they are coming from the analytics department, instead of him. One of the moves that I have liked the most from Skip was using Kumar out of the pen, then putting him back in the starting role the next game. It seems to have helped his development. Player development is one of the things that CY talked about when Skip was hired.
Off the top of my head, the Rangers have been embarrassed twice this season. The Astros' no-hitter, and the other night vs the Angels. The team won the day after both games. That's the mark of a manager who keeps his team focused on the bigger picture. Some of his bullpen management has been questioned, but you can only use what you have. I'd probably give Skip a grade of B for the first half.
Mason Hovind: I know he’s gotten some hate among Rangers fans but I don’t think it’s warranted. I think he’s done a fine job. Players haven’t performed up to expectations, and he can’t control that.
Kasey Jarvis: So far, I haven’t minded how Skip has helped this team. Especially with our bullpen being banged up and full of rookies and mixed-match pieces, it’s hard to put any fault on him. He’s switched the lineup up when some things weren’t working and the players seem to really enjoy him. I have no reason not to like Skip thus far into his first season.
Griffin McVeigh: Injuries have hurt him, both with the lineup and the bullpen. I've really enjoyed watching Schumaker play the matchup game late in late innings. Justin Foscue seizing his opportunity stands out more than anything. All because Schumaker kept giving him chances against lefties. Similar to Joc Pederson (mainly) only getting righty at-bats. Putting guys in a position to succeed. Positive remarks for Schumaker there, especially in the timing of them.
Who has been your team MVP?
Reggie Alford: I have a tie. It's Ezequiel Duran and Jacob Latz. Duran would probably be an All-Star if he were allowed to play a single position, but due to injuries, he's not. That said, he's embraced it by being "The Solution." He has the best arm on the team and does whatever this team asks of him.
Jacob Latz is just as unselfish. He could be a starter in this rotation or pretty much any other team. Instead, asked only to be in high-leverage moments, whatever his role was. It earned him a well-deserved place in the All-Star Game. I'd hate to think where the Rangers would be without both of these guys.
Mason Hovind: Pitcher: Jacob Latz. Hitter: Josh Jung
Kasey Jarvis: Jacob Latz. Having a lockdown multi-inning closer is beyond value, and to have someone the Rangers can count on like that is something we haven’t had in nearly a decade.
Griffin McVeigh: Around a week ago, my answer likely would have been Josh Jung with Jacob Latz not too far behind. But I cannot help but say Wyatt Langford. Yes, I know the injuries have kept him off the field a lot. His value to this team is sky high, though.
Outside of Jacob Latz, what's been the biggest surprise for the Rangers?
Reggie Alford: Nicky Lopez. The guy was a waiver pick-up and if there were a few weeks to go before the All-Star game, he might have an argument to be there. I trashed the Rangers for signing him, but I was wrong, and it has worked out better than anyone could have thought. Regardless of how he plays in the second half, the guy was a steal.
Mason Hovind: Nicky Lopez has been a very pleasant surprise offensively.
Kasey Jarvis: Justin Foscue. This kid has been sensational and a good bat for the Rangers vs. lefties. He has filled a void that Seager and Smith have left since they got hurt and haven’t been their same selves.
Griffin McVeigh: One of the in-season additions. I'll say Nicky Lopez, considering I thought he would just be an injury replacement for Josh Smith. Instead, he's knocked Smith down to Round Rock for the time being. Honorable mention to Elias Diaz.
Name a player or two you would like to see more from once the All-Star Break is over
Reggie Alford: Evan Carter. I'm know a lot of people don't think he should be in the lineup, but I disagree. His bat needs to get going. His on-base percentage is .356 in his last 15 games. Probably needs to be a bit more aggressive. His defense is elite, however. At the time I'm writing this, Carter's WAR is 1.7. Tied for third with Jung behind Duran and Langford. Carter is still a kid. He is going to figure it out. I think he is going to have a big second half if he is healthy.
Mason Hovind: Evan Carter for sure.
Kasey Jarvis: Foscue. I don’t know how you don’t play this kid right now. He's been on another level providing a bat for the Rangers with an OPS north of .800. I know it’ll be hard once Seager is back with Duran doing what he has but I don’t see a world where you don’t add him in on a regular basis I think sending him down would be a disservice to him and potential cool off his bat for the long haul. He's 100% my pick
Griffin McVeigh: My cheating answer is Corey Seager. Please stay healthy. My non-cheating answer is Brandon Nimmo. Not that Nimmo has been bad by any stretch of the imagination. I mean, he just hit a walk-off on Sunday to beat the Astros. I just want to see some of his statistical bad luck turn into production on the field. Guy brings a positive energy as well.
What offseason move has worked out the best? The worst?
Reggie Alford: Nimmo for Semien may be the best. It would be easy to rip the Gore trade, but imagine right now if the Rangers didn't have Gore to pitch every five days, especially if deGrom goes on the IL. Plus, I think Gore has taken the ball at least twice on short rest.
The worst move. Resigning Chris Martin.
Mason Hovind: The Brandon Nimmo trade was the best, hate to say it but Chris Martin was the worst.
Kasey Jarvis: The best: Nimmo for Semien. We got a good bat replacement for Garcia, who had been subpar since his immaculate Postseason run and simply was a liability for the most part. He's not lighting the world on fire, however, he’s done what’s been needed.
Worst is bringing back Chris Martin at a price tag of 4 million. He hasn’t been usable, and dealing with a body that’s ready to be done. He's probably pitched his last with Texas, and we could’ve used that money for someone who would’ve given us more value because right now it’d be hard to find someone who’d be worse off.
Griffin McVeigh: Without reading other responses, easy to imagine Mackenzie Gore is a popular answer for worst. However, I will go with Danny Jansen. Take out the injuries, Jansen has an OPS+ of 71 and is getting on base under 28% of the time.
For best, Skip Schumaker is my answer – mainly because the Rangers didn't make TOO many offseason moves. Schumaker has been a fresh breath of air at times, a little different than what Bruce Bochy brought to the table. The players seem to want to battle for him.
Assuming everyone is healthy, who should be the everyday second baseman? Left fielder?
Reggie Alford: Duran
Mason Hovind: The second baseman should be Zeke Duran, and the left fielder should be Wyatt Langford.
Kasey Jarvis: Second basemen right now for me is either Zeke or Foscue, depending on the match-up. Left Field could be Zeke if you decide Foscue at second, however, you could use it rotationally depending on matchups.
Griffin McVeigh: Right now, my answers are Nicky Lopez and Ezequiel Duran. Those two have earned the spots, meaning somebody like Evan Carter is on the outside looking in. Of course, there is room for Justin Foscue at times when facing lefties, assuming he is not the DH.
If you were Chris Young, what would you do at the trade deadline?
Reggie Alford: I'm not going to factor Jordan Montgomery or Cody Bradford into this equation, because you never know how guys are going to come back from their type of injuries, but for me, the Rangers need bullpen help, and maybe an innings eater before they go after a bat. The Rangers' offense has quietly crept up in a lot of stats. Injuries and overuse have crept up on the bullpen.
The Rangers seem to have some magic when it comes to finding journeymen starters and getting the most out of them. I think it would be in the Ranger's best interest to find one.
Mason Hovind: Trade for a starting pitcher and one or two bullpen arms. One being a high-leverage arm. A right-handed outfielder could be had but I don’t think it’s needed. Maybe a bat as well.
Kasey Jarvis: Add one or two relievers whom you can count on. As well as a right-handed bat who can hit off of lefties. Doesn't have to be an everyday guy but some more contact could be great. I know Arraez is an obvious choice but him being only on a 1 year deal worries me.
Griffin McVeigh: Everyone knows Young loves to invest in some pitching. He is well within his rights to do so, just with little prospect depth to get the job done. Bullpen is quite an easy yes, with a starter being TBD.
I'd like to think a bat is required, though. It's why I put "right now" in the previous answer. Young should find someone who can play one of left field or second base on a daily basis, no matter the pitching matchup.
To sum up – go for it.
Do the Rangers win the American League West? If not, do they finish in a Wild Card position?
Reggie Alford: I don't know how the AL West will play out, but I fully expect the Rangers to be playing baseball in October.
Mason Hovind: I think they have a good shot to win the West if they continue to play the way they have been.
Kasey Jarvis: I think they win a wild card spot. The AL is so lackluster, and it’s hard for me not to see the Mariners breaking out of their funk. It would take a couple of solid deadline moves and Seager’s bat awakening for me to see a world where we take the West.
Griffin McVeigh: Being up 1.5 games at this point almost means nothing. I've been positive about the Rangers all year. That being said, I don't think they end up winning the AL West. Six head-to-head games with Seattle give me pause.
Wild Card is a different story. The American League is so bad. Seattle is one game under .500 and in the third WC spot. Winning 84 or 85 games might get the job done.
