Here is a look at the position players on the Rangers’ roster for the 2023 World Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks:
Evan Carter, Outfielder (#32)
Regular Season: .306 batting average, 5 home runs, 12 RBIs, 3 stolen bases
Postseason: .308 BA, 1 HR, 5 RBIs, 3 SB
Carter may be the most interesting player on the team because of his situation. He began the year in the minor leagues with Double-A Frisco and was promoted to Triple-A Round Rock late in the season before getting called up to the Majors during the final week of the regular season. The 21-year-old former second-round draft pick has quickly adapted to the big leagues and has been a critical part of the run to the World Series, holding his own at the plate and playing outstanding defense.
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Adolis Garcia, Outfielder (#53)
Regular Season: .245 BA, 39 HR, 107 RBIs, 9 SB
Postseason: .327 BA, 7 HR, 20 RBIs, 1 SB
Garcia has been one of Texas’ best players all year and has helped carry the offense. In the playoffs, he increased his batting average and is threatening the MLB record for RBIs in a single postseason, helped by a five-home run, 15-RBI performance against the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series (ALCS) that earned him ALCS MVP.
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Mitch Garver, Catcher/Designated Hitter (#18)
Regular Season: .270 BA, 19 HR, 50 RBIs
Postseason: .294 BA, 2 HR, 11 RBIs
Garver has split time at catcher and designated hitter and is mainly known for his power-hitting. The veteran had the second-best regular season of his career and has come through in clutch situations this postseason — collecting seven RBIs in the two games he played during the team’s sweep of the Baltimore Orioles in the American League Division Series.
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Robbie Grossman, Outfielder (#4)
Regular Season: .238 BA, 10 HR, 49 RBIs, 1 SB
Postseason: .111 BA (18 at-bats)
Grossman was brought in for his veteran presence in the offseason but has rarely seen the field in the playoffs as he continues to struggle at the plate, and Evan Carter continues to produce as a rookie. Still, a veteran with speed and power like Grossman could be valuable on the bench and in the locker room for critical moments.
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Austin Hedges, Catcher (#11)
Regular Season: .184 BA, 1 HR, 16 RBIs, 1 SB
Postseason: .125 BA (16 at-bats)
The Rangers acquired Hedges from the Pittsburgh Pirates at the Trade Deadline. He has been more of a depth player, allowing prospect Sam Huff to develop further, but he has spent plenty of time working with excellent pitching staff throughout his career.
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Jonah Heim, Catcher (#28)
Regular Season: .258 BA, 18 HR, 95 RBIs, 2 SB
Postseason: .245 BA, 2 HR, 6 RBIs, 1 SB
Heim continues to improve as his career progresses, producing career-best numbers across the board and earning the starting nod in the All-Star game. His production has dipped some in the postseason, causing him to drop in the batting order, but he remains a steady presence behind the plate who could produce offensively at any moment.
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Travis Jankowski, Outfielder (#16)
Regular Season: .263 BA, 1 HR, 30 RBIs, 19 SB
Postseason: .500 BA (two at-bats)
The veteran outfielder is known most for his speed, as evident by his 19 stolen bases in the regular season. Because of that, he is often used as a pinch-runner or defensive replacement late in ballgames and only has two at-bats all postseason.
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Josh Jung, Third Base (#6)
Regular Season: .266 BA, 23 HR, 70 RBIs, 1 SB
Postseason: .289 BA, 3 HR, 8 RBIs
Jung led the American League Rookie of the Year race for most of the season, but a thumb injury derailed his case. Still, the rookie has been one of the Rangers’ most significant bright spots this season, launching 23 home runs in his first full season in the Major Leagues. He has continued to excel during the postseason, notably blasting two home runs to account for four Texas runs in an ALCS Game 3 loss to Houston.
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Nathaniel Lowe, First Base (#30)
Regular Season: .262 BA, 17 HR, 82 RBIs, 1 SB
Postseason: .224 BA, 3 HR, 6 RBIs
Lowe has struggled this postseason but collected seven hits in the ALCS, including a crucial home run to tie Game 5 in the fifth inning and another to help Texas reach double-digits on the scoreboard in Game 7. The veteran has been reliable all season and seems to be hitting his stride going into the World Series.
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Corey Seager, Shortstop (#5)
Regluar Season: .327 BA, 33 HR, 96 RBIs, 2 SB
Postseason: .333 BA, 3 HR, 6 RBIs
Seager is the Rangers’ best player even after dealing with injuries this season, putting up his best numbers since his 27-game rookie season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. His average has stayed consistent throughout the postseason, and he is due for a breakout game.
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Marcus Semien, Second Base (#2)
Regular Season: .276 BA, 29 HR, 100 RBIs, 14 SB
Postseason: .192 BA, 2 RBIs
The Rangers’ All-Star second baseman has had a terrible postseason at the plate, with just 10 hits in 52 at-bats. Luckily, he has played well defensively, though offense has always been his calling card.
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Josh H. Smith, Utility (#47)
Regular Season: .185 BA, 6 HR, 15 RBIs, 1 SB
Postseason: has not made a plate appearance
Smith has played sparingly this year, usually filling in at third base, shortstop, or the corner outfield positions as injuries piled up. He has yet to have an at-bat in the postseason but remains on the roster, even ahead of Ezequiel Duran, who plays similar positions.
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Leody Taveras, Outfield (#3)
Regular Season: .266 BA, 14 HR, 66 RBIs, 14 SB
Postseason: .244 BA, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 4 SB
Taveras has been a mainstay in the No.9 spot in the batting order and has even moved up the lineup with others struggling in front of him. He has produced above expectations offensively and remains a plus defender who can be a catalyst in the basepaths.
