Meritocracy in Baseball: A Challenge for the Rangers

Every team in baseball strives to create a lineup based on meritocracy, where players are judged solely on their performance. However, this ideal is often difficult to achieve in practice.

For the Texas Rangers, the struggles of Marcus Semien and Adolis García may force the team to make tough decisions about their playing time. With the return of Corey Seager and the potential return of Evan Carter, the Rangers may soon have a full roster, leaving them with limited options for Semien and García.

The Current State of the Rangers

The Rangers recently suffered a 2-0 one-hit loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, with Seager returning to the lineup as the designated hitter. Despite the loss, Seager is expected to play shortstop soon, and Carter may begin a rehab assignment. This could lead to a full roster for the Rangers, which would put pressure on Semien and García to perform.

The series against the Blue Jays was a struggle for the Rangers, who scored only three runs on a dozen hits over three games. This is only the fifth time this century that the Rangers have reached such low thresholds in a single series.

Manager Bruce Bochy’s Perspective

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy emphasized the importance of scoring runs, saying, “It’s a simple game. You’ve got to put some runs on the board.” Bochy also acknowledged the challenges of managing a roster with struggling players, stating, “You’ve got to have days where you give them a break.”

The Rangers have tried various approaches to help Semien and García, including dropping them in the batting order and changing batting coaches. Despite these efforts, the first month under the new regime has been disappointing.

The Struggles of Semien and García

Semien and García have struggled to find their form, with Semien hitting .163 in May and García hitting .195. Semien has one extra-base hit for the month and one double for the season, while García has 25 strikeouts in his last 20 games.

In a recent game, García came to the plate with a runner on base and two outs, but swung and missed at two consecutive sliders off the plate. Semien, on the other hand, got 93 mph fastballs in the center of the plate but failed to capitalize, resulting in a strikeout and a soft fly ball to right field.

Quotes from Semien and García

Semien acknowledged his struggles, saying, “It’s been a whole lot of trying different things for me right now to try and get back on track.” García expressed his frustration, stating, “I mean, it’s tough. I’ve been through months where I wasn’t getting many hits before, years ago, but, like this one is really tough, really, really tough.”

Despite their struggles, both players remain confident in their abilities. Semien said, “I believe in myself. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe myself.” García added, “I’m gonna keep working every day. I’m trying to keep it simple and stay on strikes in the zone.”

Implications for the Rangers

The Rangers have done everything they can to support Semien and García, but the luxury of giving them extra time may be evaporating. With a full roster on the horizon, the team may be forced to consider a more merit-based approach, which could limit the playing time of the struggling duo.

The return of Seager and the potential return of Carter will give the Rangers five infielders for four spots and four outfielders for three spots. This will lead to tough decisions about who to play and who to sit, with Semien and García potentially finding themselves without a spot.

Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis García grounds out during the second inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at Globe Life Field in Arlington . (Shafkat Anowar / Staff Photographer)

Conclusion

The Texas Rangers are facing a challenging situation with the struggles of Marcus Semien and Adolis García. As the team approaches a full roster, they may be forced to consider a more merit-based approach, which could limit the playing time of the struggling duo. Despite their struggles, both players remain confident in their abilities and are working to turn their season around.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the current state of the Texas Rangers roster?

A: The Rangers are approaching a full roster with the return of Corey Seager and the potential return of Evan Carter.

Q: How have Marcus Semien and Adolis García performed this season?

A: Semien is hitting .163 in May, while García is hitting .195. Both players have struggled to find their form, with Semien having one extra-base hit for the month and one double for the season, and García having 25 strikeouts in his last 20 games.

Q: What options do the Rangers have for Semien and García?

A: The Rangers may be forced to consider a more merit-based approach, which could limit the playing time of the struggling duo. They could also try to trade them or send them to the minor leagues.

Q: How do Semien and García feel about their struggles?

A: Both players remain confident in their abilities and are working to turn their season around. Semien said, “I believe in myself. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe myself.” García added, “I’m gonna keep working every day. I’m trying to keep it simple and stay on strikes in the zone.”