Jake Burger’s first season with the Texas Rangers in 2025 wasn’t the one that he or the team anticipated.

Burger struggled out of the gate and never really got a whole lot going. At one point, he was optioned down to Triple-A Round Rock.

Overall, Burger posted a .236 batting average with 16 home runs and 53 RBIs during his debut season with Texas.

Heading into 2026, the focus wasn’t on Burger. Even as the season played out, the attention seemed to stay on the players who weren't often on the field, such as Corey Seager, Wyatt Langford, and Josh Jung.

The attention being directed at those players was certainly deserved. After all, they are supposed to be the Rangers' best hitters, and if they had stayed healthy, chances are the team would have reached the postseason.

However, while the attention was on other guys who were or were not in the lineup, Burger quietly put together a solid season.

Despite his batting average dropping to .228, Burger smashed 28 home runs and 90 RBIs in 155 games.

Perhaps for other guys, you wouldn’t consider someone who hits .228 as having a good season. But, for what the Rangers are asking Burger to do, that isn’t the case.

In 2026, we saw the Texas offense shift more towards a contact-centered approach in a much-needed way, but not every player was asked to do that. Burger wasn’t one of them.

There’s no doubt that the Rangers are just looking for Burger to provide power, and he did that this season.

Not to mention, Burger made just $3.2 million in 2026, creating a valuable deal for someone who nearly had 30 home runs and 100 RBIs.

Heading into 2027, Burger is likely to make around $7 million in arbitration and, once again, he won’t be expected to carry a massive load in the Texas offense.

If the Rangers can’t get similar power numbers and a slight increase in batting average and on-base percentage from Burger, there’s no doubt he could be one of the more valuable players in the American League.

Additionally, if anything was proven during this MLB season, it’s that more does always equal winning. In a year where the Texas payroll doesn’t figure to increase by very much, Burger has the potential to be a key piece in helping the team return to the postseason.