Nobody has higher expectations than this Rangers superstar in 2025-26, and that truth rings louder in Arlington than any fireworks display after a Joey Gallo home run or a game-saving punchout from a closer in October. The Texas Rangers, just a season removed from their dramatic World Series title, have experienced both triumph and turbulence. Injuries, adjustments, and the weight of defending a crown have all shaped the journey, but for one particular superstar, the upcoming season represents more than just a return to glory. It’s about legacy, leadership, and living up to expectations that few others would dare to shoulder.
Corey Seager has become the face of the franchise since arriving in Texas in 2022, and the 2025-26 season is poised to be the most significant campaign of his career. There are external pressures—the kind that come with signing a $325 million deal, winning a World Series MVP, and carrying a team in the postseason. But Seager’s own internal drive has always eclipsed those outside voices. He demands more of himself than any fan, analyst, or executive ever could. That’s why, entering the 2025-26 season, no one in the Rangers clubhouse—or across Major League Baseball—has higher expectations for themselves than Corey Seager.
Following a sensational 2023 postseason in which he hit critical home runs and consistently delivered in high-leverage moments, Seager set a new standard for what being a superstar means in Texas. In a state where football dominates the headlines, Seager made baseball king again, at least for a season. But that level of brilliance comes at a cost. Every groundout is scrutinized, every minor slump magnified, and every injury spell feels like an organizational crisis. That’s the weight of expectations when you’re the leader of a defending champion. And while many players shy away from that pressure, Seager embraces it like a badge of honor.
The 2024 campaign didn’t go entirely according to plan. Despite maintaining a high level of production when healthy, Seager missed a stretch of games due to lingering soreness in his hamstring and later a hit-by-pitch that bruised his forearm. While his numbers were still All-Star caliber—posting a .308 batting average with 29 home runs and 94 RBIs in just 127 games—the missed time left a bitter taste in his mouth. Seager’s not the kind of player to accept “almost” or “good enough.” He plays for October and expects to be the reason his team gets there. When the Rangers stumbled in the Wild Card round last year, falling short of their goal to repeat, Seager internalized that failure more than anyone.
It wasn’t because he didn’t play well—he still had timely hits and showed his characteristic poise in pressure situations—it was because he knows what greatness requires. He understands that if he’s not at his best, the entire team’s ceiling is limited. That’s a unique burden to carry, and yet he does so without complaint. This offseason, Seager reportedly altered his training regimen, adding more flexibility work and adopting a more deliberate schedule to prepare his body for the long grind of another championship run. Insiders say he looks stronger, more balanced, and sharper than ever. And that’s terrifying news for opposing pitchers.
Beyond the numbers and the training, there’s something deeper driving Seager. He’s entering his age-31 season, a point where many elite players either cement their legacy or begin the slow descent from stardom. But there’s no sense that decline is coming. Instead, Seager seems fueled by a desire to define the second act of his career on his own terms. He’s already done what few can claim—winning World Series MVPs in both leagues, leading two different franchises to titles. But he wants more. More rings, more accolades, and most of all, more consistency. He doesn’t want to be remembered just for a few great October moments—he wants to be the standard of excellence in this era of baseball.
There’s also a sense of responsibility that comes with being the guy. In 2023 and 2024, Seager had the benefit of sharing the spotlight with players like Marcus Semien, Adolis García, and the rising superstar Wyatt Langford. But even among such talent, it’s clear who the alpha is in the room. Seager leads quietly but definitively. He sets the tone in spring training, he’s the first to show up and the last to leave, and when things go sideways, he’s the one players look to for steadiness. It’s not about yelling or rah-rah speeches—it’s about example. When Seager’s locked in, everyone else believes they can be too.
That’s why the stakes for him in 2025-26 are so enormous. He’s already paid handsomely, his résumé already worthy of Hall of Fame consideration. But this season feels like a fork in the road. Can he stay healthy enough to put together another MVP-caliber campaign from wire to wire? Can he lead a team with a now-targeted back through the marathon of a 162-game season and deep into the playoffs again? Can he silence the whispers that maybe his best years are behind him? If history is any guide, betting against Corey Seager is a mistake.
From a statistical standpoint, projections suggest Seager is still among the best shortstops in the game. His expected batting average, hard-hit rate, and OPS remain elite. Defensively, he’s been as reliable as ever, even as some younger players with more athleticism come up through the pipeline. His footwork, positioning, and instincts make up for any modest decline in range. What’s perhaps most impressive is that his game is aging gracefully, largely because it’s built on intelligence and mechanics rather than flash and flair.
The Rangers’ front office is banking on Seager to be the cornerstone not just for one or two more years, but for the long term. While they continue to develop young talent and make savvy acquisitions, everything is still constructed around No. 5. If he thrives, the team thrives. And that knowledge fuels Seager’s relentless preparation. He doesn’t need more money. He doesn’t crave fame. He wants wins, and he wants to earn them. That’s a rare mentality in today’s era of load management and media distractions.
Of course, no season unfolds exactly the way it’s planned. There will be bumps along the way—cold streaks, nagging injuries, long road trips, and tough matchups. But Seager’s game is built to endure. He’s not a player who lives off hot streaks or empty numbers. Every at-bat is part of a larger puzzle. Every double in the gap, every backhanded snag and throw from the hole at short, is part of a larger mission. And in 2025-26, that mission isn’t just about redemption—it’s about affirmation. He’s out to prove that 2023 wasn’t lightning in a bottle. He’s out to show that the standard he set wasn’t a peak, but a foundation.
In the clubhouse, younger players like Evan Carter and Langford watch his every move. They study how he carries himself. They ask questions, observe routines, and seek advice. To them, Seager is more than a star—he’s a blueprint. And for Seager, that means the pressure to perform isn’t just about stats. It’s about responsibility. When he says he expects more from himself this year, it’s not just rhetoric. It’s a reflection of the weight he carries on his back—for his team, for his fans, and for the game itself.
The Rangers may or may not repeat as champions in 2025-26. Injuries, slumps, and the ever-evolving landscape of Major League Baseball could derail even the most talented of teams. But what’s undeniable is that Seager’s personal standard won’t waver. Every night, every pitch, every swing—he’ll be locked in, chasing a level of greatness that few even comprehend, let alone pursue.
Because for Corey Seager, expectations aren’t burdens—they’re fuel. They drive him, define him, and, in many ways, elevate him. And in a league bursting with talent, it’s that relentless pursuit of better that makes him the most important and most determined player in Texas. Nobody has higher expectations than Corey Seager in 2025-26, and that’s exactly why the Rangers still believe their brightest days lie ahead.
