After a challenging first season with the Texas Rangers, Joc Pederson entered the offseason determined to make adjustments that could help him regain his offensive rhythm heading into the 2026 campaign.

Pederson spent a significant portion of the winter in Texas working closely with Rangers hitting coach Justin Viele to analyze what went wrong during the 2025 season.

According to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com, the veteran slugger focused on identifying mechanical and approach-related issues that contributed to his struggles at the plate.

While the changes have been a work in progress, the Rangers believe the effort he has put into refining his swing and preparation is a promising sign heading into the new season.

The results of that work have yet to fully show up in game statistics during Spring Training, but the organization remains confident that the foundation Pederson has built this offseason will translate when the regular season begins.

Manager Skip Schumaker emphasized that the club is focused less on early spring numbers and more on the preparation Pederson has displayed behind the scenes.

“I think he's in a pretty good spot,” Schumaker reiterated. “I know what the numbers are. But his work has been good, so I'm still really optimistic on what this is going to look like headed into the season.”

Schumaker added that the effort Pederson has shown throughout camp has given the Rangers confidence that the veteran outfielder is trending in the right direction.

“I bet on the work and the process heading into the season,” Schumaker said. “If there was struggle behind the scenes, then I’d be more worried about certain guys. But the work has been really good [from Joc].”

Pederson has long been known as a power hitter capable of delivering in key moments.

Over the course of his career, he has produced big home runs in both the regular season and postseason, including a championship run with the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier in his career.

For the Rangers, the hope is that the adjustments Pederson worked on with Viele will allow him to return to that form and provide consistent production in the middle of the lineup.

While Spring Training statistics rarely tell the full story, the Rangers believe Pederson’s dedication to improving his approach could pay dividends once the games begin to count.

If the work he has put in during the offseason carries over into the regular season, then Texas may see the version of Pederson that has made him one of the league’s most dangerous power hitters.

Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!

It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.

Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!