The Texas Rangers, sitting at 17-18 and fourth in the AL West, are grappling with an offensive slump that’s threatening to derail their season. With just 113 runs scored—second-worst in MLB, trailing only the Colorado Rockies’ 106 and dwarfed by the Chicago Cubs’ league-leading 208—the Rangers made a bold move to shake things up. On May 4, 2025, they fired offensive coordinator Donnie Ecker, who’d been with the club since November 2021 and helped architect their 2023 World Series title. In his place, they hired former All-Star Bret Boone as hitting coach on May 5, a surprising choice given his lack of MLB coaching experience. With a pedigree as a three-time All-Star and a connection to manager Bruce Bochy, Boone’s tasked with reviving a stagnant lineup, including guiding young star Wyatt Langford. Let’s unpack the coaching change, Boone’s potential impact, and how Langford’s breakout could shape the Rangers’ path forward.
The Rangers’ offensive woes are stark. Their .228 team batting average ranks 26th, their .285 on-base percentage is 28th, and their .359 slugging percentage is 25th, producing an 83 wRC+ (17% below league average) that’s 25th in the majors. A 6.7% walk rate (29th) and 113 runs (29th) underscore the struggle. Before an 8-1 rout of the Seattle Mariners on May 4, Texas had scored just 30 runs in an 11-game, 2-9 skid, with half those runs coming in a 15-run outburst against Oakland. Key players have underperformed: Corey Seager (.244, four HRs), Marcus Semien (.231, three HRs), Adolis García (.205, five HRs), and Jonah Heim (.218, two HRs) are all below their 2023 form, when the Rangers led the AL with 881 runs and a .263 average. Ecker, credited for that 2023 offensive juggernaut (114 wRC+), saw the unit regress to a .238 average and 683 runs (18th) in 2024, and 2025’s freefall—3.2 runs per game—sealed his fate. “We feel now is the appropriate time to provide our hitters with a new voice,” said president of baseball operations Chris Young, per MLB.com.
Enter Bret Boone, a 56-year-old former second baseman with no MLB coaching experience but a hefty playing resume. Over 14 seasons (1992-2005) with the Mariners, Reds, Braves, Padres, and Twins, Boone hit .266/.325/.442, smashing 252 homers and 1,021 RBIs in 1,780 games. A three-time All-Star (2001, 2003, 2004), two-time Silver Slugger (2001, 2003), and four-time Gold Glove winner, Boone’s peak from 2001-03 with Seattle was electric: .301/.359/.526, 19.0 bWAR, and 111 HRs, including a 37-homer, 141-RBI season in 2001. His lone season under Bochy with the Padres in 2000 (.251/.326/.421, 127 games) forged a connection that helped land him this gig. “If there’s a guy to get back on the field for, it’s Bruce Bochy,” Boone said on his podcast, per ESPN. Young praised Boone’s “major league pedigree” and “passion for the game,” noting his ability to instill “conviction, confidence, and belief” in hitters, akin to pitching coach Mike Maddux’s impact.
Boone’s lack of coaching experience—he was a roving instructor and scout for the A’s in 2014-15 and has offered private hitting lessons—raises eyebrows. His hiring, announced less than 24 hours after Ecker’s firing, suggests a premeditated move, likely sparked by a chance meeting with Rangers front-office member Michael Young at a USC game, per sports.mynorthwest.com. Boone joins hitting coach Justin Viele and assistant Seth Conner, who remain on staff, to form a multi-faceted coaching team. Young emphasized a collective approach, with Boone’s competitive edge complementing Viele’s biomechanical focus and Conner’s data-driven insights. Ecker’s game plans, which leaned heavily on countering pitchers’ strengths, may have overwhelmed hitters, leading to a focus on opponents’ tendencies over their own strengths, per The Dallas Morning News. Boone’s expected to simplify, emphasizing mental toughness and hitter-centric approaches.
Wyatt Langford, the Rangers’ 22-year-old outfield phenom, could be Boone’s biggest project. Drafted fourth overall in 2023, Langford’s 2025 season is a bright spot: .297/.368/.553, six homers, 13 RBIs, and a .921 OPS through 35 games. His 1.4 WAR trails only Semien (1.6), and his 94.1 mph average exit velocity (87th percentile) and 12.1% walk rate (90th percentile) scream stardom. Langford’s 2024 rookie year was rocky (.253, 10 HRs, 1.2 WAR in 134 games), but his spring training dominance—110 mph-plus exit velocities, per ESPN—hinted at his potential. In 2023, he nearly cracked the World Series roster, with bench coach Ecker eyeing him for the No. 3 spot. Boone, who posted a 135 OPS+ during his 2001-03 peak, could help Langford refine his approach against fastballs (he’s hitting .280 on four-seamers) and boost his power consistency (six HRs in 128 ABs). Langford’s elite discipline—6.8% chase rate, 82nd percentile—gives Boone a strong foundation to build on.
The Rangers’ 17-18 record, four games back of the Mariners, isn’t a death sentence, especially with a 3.44 team ERA (sixth-best) and a rotation led by Nathan Eovaldi (2.61 ERA) and Cody Bradford (3.12 ERA). The recall of outfielder Evan Carter from Triple-A on May 6, announced alongside Boone’s hiring, adds another spark. Carter, a 2023 postseason hero (.300/.417/.500), slashed .271/.327/.500 in his last 12 Triple-A games after a back injury-plagued 2024 (.188 in 162 PAs). Offseason moves—trading Nathaniel Lowe, signing Joc Pederson, and acquiring Jake Burger (since optioned to Triple-A)—haven’t panned out, but Langford’s emergence and Carter’s return could jolt the lineup. Boone’s challenge is unlocking Seager, Semien, and García, who combined for 12 HRs and a .672 OPS in 2025, compared to 91 HRs and a .813 OPS in 2023.
Will Boone make a difference? Coaching changes can spark teams—Seattle’s 2024 turnaround under Edgar Martinez is a recent example—but results vary. The Rangers’ .228/.285/.359 line needs a drastic lift, and Boone’s lack of experience could be a hurdle. His one-year deal, per RangersToday.com, suggests a trial run. Still, his 252 career homers and reputation as a fierce competitor could resonate with a young clubhouse. For Langford, Boone’s tutelage might elevate him from budding star to MVP candidate, especially if he adds 10-15 homers to his .921 OPS pace. The Rangers, who led the AL in runs in 2023, know what a potent offense looks like. If Boone can channel his playing-day swagger and simplify the approach, Texas could climb the AL West. For now, it’s a high-stakes bet on a new voice to wake up a sleeping lineup. Let’s see if Boone’s bat can still talk in the coaching box.
