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.\n\n“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](https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/rangers-announce-2026-major-league-coaching-staff) in November, ahead of the Rangers' 9-5 win over the Rockies. “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.\n\nAccording 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.\n\nOn the other hand, FanGraphs' BsR stat is a bit more favorable, putting them eighth overall (5.6).\n\nBaseball 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.\n\n“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.”\n\nJankowski -- 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,