SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Back in 2017, Skip Schumaker, then in player development with the Padres, told Travis Jankowski that the hallmark of a good teammate is how they run the bases.
“You're setting up scoring opportunities for everyone in that lineup when you’re beating out a double-play ball, when you’re going first to third, when you’re hustling out of the box on a sunball,” said Jankowski, who was announced as Texas’ first-base coach in November. “We're setting up innings and providing our hitters to do special things because we are running the bases properly. It's just little stuff. We are a great baserunning team already. It's taking that next step and taking pride in it even more so to do the little things.”
For all the faults of the 2025 Rangers -- the offense in particular -- they were a really good baserunning team.
According to Statcast, the Rangers were tied for 14th in baserunning run value with 0 runs. That stat measures runs created (or lost) via stealing bases and taking extra bases on the basepaths.
On the other hand, FanGraphs' BsR stat is a bit more favorable, putting them eighth overall (5.6).
Baseball Reference also puts them tied for third overall with the Dodgers in XBT% at 46%. This stat looks at the percentage of times a runner advanced more than one base on a single or more than two bases on a double.
“Again, being a really good teammate is how hard you run the bases,” Schumaker said. “That's been the identity of the Texas Rangers for the last couple years. … I think the worst baserunner is the baserunner who is scared to get out or has a fear of getting out. They're hesitant. They're waiting for the perfect moment all the time. I understand it's really hard on bases. We have some athletes on this team, and I think they're just now understanding how to use the technique and what to look for, tips and tells.”
Jankowski -- who is in his first year as a coach -- and third-base coach Corey Ragsdale spend hours creating a scouting report on opposing pitchers and catchers. The pitchers’ times to the plate, the catchers’ pop time, a leg kick, a twitch, the type of pitch -- every little detail is mapped out for Rangers baserunners before they even step into the box.
In 2025, Wyatt Langford led the Rangers with 22 stolen bases. Evan Carter was second with 14 in just 63 games. The goal for ‘26 is to increase stolen bases, not only for those two, but for the “second tier” basestealers like Josh Smith and Sam Haggerty.
For Jankowski, so much of stealing bases is about conviction. That’s what he wants to drill in the minds of the players. If the goal is to steal, there can't be any hesitation about it.
“The baserunning intelligence on this team is really high,” Jankowski said. “That's a credit to Rags. He's been here and really harps on that. I think it’s just the mindset of having the freedom to be aggressive and that being spoken to the players. We're going to have information on guys as a coaching staff. We will provide you with as much information as possible. Let's utilize this information to make aggressive, intelligent baserunning decisions.”
And it’s not just about stolen bases. It’s the first-to-thirds and the second-to-homes. It’s putting pressure on opposing defenses by being aggressive in all facets of the game.
At the end of the day, the Rangers are going to steal bases. The challenge is how to turn those stolen bases into runs scored.
“Baserunning is one of those things where a lot of it, honestly, is just effort,” Langford said. “I think last year we were really good in stolen bases and stuff as far as percentage. I think we want to push up the attempts maybe a little bit. There's little things that need to be cleaned up. That's what we're here in Spring Training to do.”