The Rangers didn’t have a consistent & productive designated hitter in 2024, part of the reason why Texas’ offense wasn’t as productive. Texas changed that on December 23. Joc Pederson reportedly signed with the Rangers on a two-year deal, joining his former Dodger teammate Corey Seager in north Texas.
A Look at Pederson
The Diamondbacks added OF/DH Joc Pederson last winter after two solid seasons with the Giants. With the D-Backs, Pederson played a key role for an Arizona team that finished first in runs scored last season.
The 32-year-old Pederson batted .275/.393/.515 (.908 OPS) last season, belting 23 home runs and 41 extra-base hits. Among left-handed hitters. Pederson’s .923 OPS was seventh-best in the league (min. 250 PA vs. RHP)
| Rank | Player | OPS vs. RHP |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shohei Ohtani | 1.128 |
| 2 | Juan Soto | .999 |
| 3 | Kerry Carpenter | .994 |
| 4 | Rafael Devers | .986 |
| 5 | Corey Seager | .944 |
| 6 | Yordan Alvarez | .924 |
| 7 | Joc Pederson | .923 |
Much like with the Giants, Pederson was used primarily as a platoon bat with the Diamondbacks. The 32-year-old only picked up 42 plate appearances against lefties, versus 407 against right-handers. Pederson has never been particularly strong against left-handed pitchers. Last season, he only batted .219/.405/.344 (.749 OPS) with two extra-base hits.
The former Diamondback consistently makes hard contact. Last season, he recorded an above-average 12.8% Barrel%, good for the 87th percentile in the league per Statcast. It’s a typical power-hitter approach from Pederson, a slightly longer swing, plenty of bat speed, and a constant push to drive it up and get it just slightly out in front.
While Pederson will chase from time to time, the veteran outfielder does have a good eye. Pederson makes contact with pitches out of the zone 62.4% of the time when he swings, above the league average. He also walked north of 12% of the time for the second-straight season.
Pederson’s .393 OBP last season was also inflated thanks the amount of times he was hit. The new Ranger got plunked 18 times last season, a career-high.
Defensively, Pederson has generally been graded as a below-average defender. He has a career -42 Outs Above Average and is a below-average runner. Pederson did not not play a game in the field last season.
Per reports, Joc Pederson will head to the Rangers on a two-year, $37MM deal. Pederson receives an opt-out after the 2025 season.
Analysis
The Rangers produced nearly 200 runs fewer in 2024 compared to 2023, in a season where Texas saw a myriad of problems. Josh Jung was hurt for most of 2024, while Adolis Garcia only hit .224/.284/.400 (.684 OPS) last season.
Texas has earnestly tried to beef up their offense this winter. Kyle Higashioka, one of the better power-hitting catchers last season, signed with the Rangers. Texas swung a trade for Jake Burger and sent Nathaniel Lowe, a good hitter but one with not as much pop as Burger or Pederson, to the Nationals.
The pickup of Pederson gives a second left-handed power bat, as he’ll re-join forces with ex-Dodgers teammate Corey Seager. Texas’ lineup was heavily titled towards right-handed bats, as the only LHH on the 40-man roster before the move were Seager, Josh Smith, Evan Carter, and Dustin Harris. Catcher Jonah Heim and outfielder Leody Taveras are switch-hitters.
Thus, it should make lineup construction easier for manager Bruce Bochy. Now, Bochy can keep Semien and Seager in the top two spots, then follow them with Burger — or even Wyatt Langford, who hit very well over the final month of 2024 — and Pederson to alternate left-right-left-right.
Just don’t expect Pederson to get many starts against left-handed pitchers.