The Rangers have selected outfielder Sam Haggerty’s contract from Triple-A Round Rock, the team announced. In a corresponding move, fellow outfielder Dustin Harris has been optioned to Triple-A. The Rangers had an open spot on the 40-man roster, so no additional move was necessary.
Following five seasons with the Mariners, Haggerty moved on to a new AL West club after Seattle non-tendered him this offseason. He was a productive bat for the M’s from 2022-23, producing a .727 OPS and a 113 wRC+ in 309 PA, but he missed most of 2024 after tearing his Achilles tendon. The Rangers added him on a minor league deal in February. He failed to win a job out of spring training and packed his bags for Round Rock to begin the year.
Harris had been with the big league club since Wyatt Langford went on the IL in early April. He hit well enough over his first handful of games to stick around when Langford returned. However, he went 1-for-18 over his last 20 plate appearances, with a single, two walks, and six strikeouts. Meanwhile, Haggerty has been swinging a hot bat at Triple-A. Over the past three weeks, he hit .347 with an .879 OPS and a 129 wRC+. Furthermore, as a switch-hitter with MLB reps at all three bases and all three outfield spots, he offers the Rangers more versatility and experience. It’s only been a few years since Harris was widely considered a top-10 prospect in the Rangers organization. While his prospect sheen has faded, he is still just 25, and some more time at Triple-A could surely do him some good. Haggerty, on the other hand, has little to learn or prove in the minors. He’ll turn 31 later this month and has played in parts of six big league seasons.
Although he bats from both sides of the plate, Haggerty has much more impressive numbers in 216 career PA against left-handed pitchers than he does in his 260 career PA against righties. He has walked more and struck out less against southpaws, and he’s hit seven of his nine career home runs as a righty batter. The Rangers currently rank 21st in MLB with a .622 OPS and a 79 wRC+ against left-handed pitching, due in large part to the struggles of hitters like Corey Seager and Adolis García. Haggerty is no solution to that problem, but the Rangers will hope he can offer a bit of help off the bench. A fast runner with 33 career steals in 36 attempts, Haggerty can also help the Rangers on the basepaths; they currently rank 14th in stolen bases and 13th in FanGraphs baserunning value.
His walkup music, “‘The Godfather’ Waltz, is awesome. And when the announcers screw it up and call it “The Theme from ‘The Godfather,'” please let them know. Our guy in Seattle never corrected himself until after he left town to call the damn Yankees.
The Rangers remain desperate for offense. Even Sam Haggerty looks good to them. Which should tell you a lot.
Slammin Sammy back in the bigs!! Glad he is healthy and will always cheer this dude. Bummed he isn’t a Mariner but stoked he keeps living the dream!
I was astounded that the Rangers had this scrub leading off for them today against Skubal
If the Rangera could ever get any kind of hitting they would be world beaters. Right now they couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn with a tractor.
Sammy is not so bad. Nice kid and runs hot and cold. Love him when he is hot pull your hair when cold. He will be a good clubhouse guy. He was one of the guys that came up with the best HR tradition in baseball. The Trident is awesome. The Ninja hat would have been good if not so flimsy and cheap looking. Ohtani couldn’t get a decent fake? Looked like one for a ten yo.