Article Summary
The Texas Rangers have hired former MLB player Bret Boone as their new hitting coach, following the dismissal of Donnie Ecker. Boone, a three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger, will manage the team’s hitters for the remainder of the 2025 season. Meanwhile, outfielder Evan Carter is set to be recalled from Triple-A Round Rock. This news comes after the struggling Rangers offense has posted a .228/.285/.359 batting line, ranking 25th in the majors with an 83 wRC+.
Original Post
The Rangers announced Monday that they’ve hired former big leaguer Bret Boone as their new hitting coach. The three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner will take over as the top voice leading Rangers hitters. Offensive coordinator Donnie Ecker was fired just yesterday. Boone’s deal runs through the end of the 2025 season, per Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com. The team will reevaluate at that point.
In other Rangers news, president of baseball operations Chris Young announced to the team’s beat today that they’re planning to recall outfielder Evan Carter from Triple-A Round Rock prior to tomorrow’s series opener against the Red Sox (link via Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News).
“You never know where life’s going to take you,” Boone said in announcing the news on his own podcast (video clip). “And the longer I live on this Earth, I learn that. This completely came out of left field. I went up to USC, my alma mater. I threw out a first pitch. I ran into an old buddy of mine, Michael Young, and he’s with the Texas Rangers. We just started talking, and we had a 10-minute conversation. … I get home, and the phone’s ringing, and it’s [Rangers manager] Bruce Bochy.”
Boone went on to joke that he thought Bochy, his former manager and a longtime friend, was calling to set up another appearance on Boone’s podcast. Bochy ran the possibility of a coaching position by Boone and told him to think about it. Boone explained that he spoke with his wife and loved ones but that it “didn’t take long” to decide he’d accept the position.
“If there’s a guy to get back on the field for — for the first time in a long time for me,” Boone continued, “Bruce Bochy is No. 1 on my list.”
Boone, 56, will be tasked with helping to turn around what has been one of the sport’s most disappointing offenses. The Rangers have limped to a an awful .228/.285/.359 batting line as a team. The resulting 83 wRC+ (indicating they’ve been 17% worse than average at the plate as a unit) ranks 25th in the majors. Texas hitters rank 29th with 113 runs scored, 25th in team batting average, 28th in OBP and 25th in slugging percentage. They also have the second-worst walk rate of any team in the majors.
What This Means for You
- Rangers fans can expect a fresh approach to hitting as Boone works his way through this new opportunity and seeks to improve the team’s performance.
- Fantasy players who have Rangers hitters on their roster may see dividends as the new coach works with struggling players to improve their performance.
- MLB bettors should be aware of changes in offensive performance as the Rangers adjust to a new hitting coach.
- Expect additional roster moves throughout the season as the Rangers continue to make changes to improve the overall caliber of their team.
Key Terms
- Bret Boone
- Texas Rangers
- hitting coach
- offensive coordinator
- Evan Carter
- Michael Young
- Bruce Bochy
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