Flashing forward to 2026, Higashioka will no doubt have a bigger role behind the plate for the Rangers.
Prior to the 2025 season, the Rangers signed Kyle Higashioka to a two-year $12.5 millon contract.
Higashioka was expected to come in and partner with Jonah Heim to create a 1A and 1B catching duo.
Unfortunately for Texas, Heim didn’t live up to expectations in 2025, but the same can’t be said for Higashioka.
After struggling at the start of the season, Higashioka found his swing and ended up putting up some solid numbers in his debut season with the Rangers.
In 94 games, Higashioka hit .241 with a .291 on-base percentage and a .403 slug with 11 home runs and 47 RBI to go along with it.
Flashing forward to 2026, Higashioka will no doubt have a bigger role behind the plate for the Rangers.
Following the non-tender of Jonah Heim, Texas will look to Higashioka and newly acquired Danny Jansen to form a strong duo behind the dish.
Rangers POBO Chris Young said, “The two of them behind the plate will make a great tandem.
It certainly seems that Higashioka will start as the “1A” in this tandem, but he will have to perform to keep it that way.
With a strong start, Higashioka could easily eclipse the solid numbers that he put up last season.
If that is the case, the Rangers will be inclined to pick up their half of the 2027 mutual option in Higashioka’s contract.