2025 Season Retrospective: Spotlight on Michael Helman
As the 2025 Texas Rangers season draws to a close, we are taking the opportunity during the offseason to reflect on each player who took to the field in a major league game for the Rangers this year.
Today, our focus is on outfielder Michael Helman.
Michael Helman emerged as one of the more intriguing narratives during the rollercoaster ride that was the 2025 Texas Rangers season. Had the Rangers managed an astonishing comeback in September to secure a playoff spot, Helman could have easily joined the ranks of unexpected sports legends.
Think back to Francisco Cabrera, whose pinch-hit single in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 7 of the 1992 NLCS not only sent the Braves to the World Series but also solidified his status as a hero—he achieved this after just 11 major league plate appearances during the regular season.
Or consider Tom Lawless, who hit a critical three-run homer against Twins starter Frank Viola in Game 4 of the 1987 World Series, giving the Cardinals a lead they would not relinquish. Lawless had spent the entire season on the Cardinals' roster, yet rarely played; he recorded only two hits all season, with his first coming on August 12, well into the season.
Just imagine how social media would react in 2026 if a position player spent the entire year on a roster without registering a hit until mid-August. He would likely become a viral sensation. Fans would be clamoring for him to be inserted into games during blowouts, reminiscent of college basketball fans rallying for players like Olivier Roux during Florida Gator routs or Mavs supporters in the late '80s chanting for Dennis Nutt.
Helman was drafted in 2018 in the 11th round by the Minnesota Twins out of Texas A&M. He made his major league debut in 2024 with the Twins, appearing in nine games and notching ten plate appearances, all while showcasing versatility by playing four different positions. His journey continued when he was traded to the Cardinals just before spring training for cash considerations, then claimed off waivers by the Pirates in May, only to be picked up by the Rangers shortly thereafter.
Initially serving as depth in AAA for the Rangers, Helman found himself called up a couple of times during the summer for brief stints. In those appearances, he managed to hold his own and fulfill the expectations for a depth player filling in temporarily.
However, when injuries decimated half the Rangers roster in August, Helman was summoned again to take on a more prominent role. During this period, he certainly exceeded many expectations.
For nearly a month, Helman was nothing short of spectacular. He contributed significantly on offense, played stellar defense, and brought an undeniable energy to the field. Notably, in a memorable series against the Milwaukee Brewers, he drove in all five runs in a 5-0 victory, smashing a grand slam off José Quintana in the fifth inning, followed by a game-tying home run the next day, helping the Rangers secure a thrilling 5-4 win.
From his call-up on August 23 until September 13, when the Rangers secured their second consecutive win against the Mets and found themselves just two games back in the AL West and wild card standings, Helman posted an impressive slash line of .294/.345/.627 over 56 plate appearances, while also making some jaw-dropping catches in center field. This unexpected surge from the Rangers, despite missing key players, was propelled by contributions from unlikely sources, including Helman.
Unfortunately, we know how the season concluded. Following that victory on September 13, the Rangers faced an 11-day winless stretch, culminating in eight consecutive losses that effectively eliminated them from playoff contention. After that pivotal date, Helman's performance dramatically declined, resulting in a slash line of .162/.205/.216.
By season's end, Helman recorded a .232/.290/.455 line in 110 plate appearances, which translated to a commendable 1.0 bWAR. These contributions were significant enough to keep the Rangers relevant during the final month of the season, sparking discussions about his potential inclusion in the Rangers' plans for 2026, particularly as a platoon player in the outfield with the possibility of expanded responsibilities.
However, a closer examination of Helman’s underlying metrics reveals a less rosy picture than his overall numbers might imply. His performance indicators were, in fact, rather concerning.
Helman struggled to draw walks and struck out at an average rate. Coupled with his mediocre batting average, this resulted in an on-base percentage below .300. Much of his offensive value stemmed from an unexpectedly high power output—five home runs across 110 plate appearances, a rate that outperformed his minor league statistics.
Yet, the data on his batted balls does not provide much hope for sustainability. Helman’s average exit velocity ranked near the bottom of the league, as did his hard-hit rate. His time with the Rangers yielded a .250 xwOBA and a .323 xSLG.
Michael Helman offers value as a depth option on the team's 40-man roster. He can be a reliable fill-in, providing speed and defensive prowess in center field, which is undoubtedly beneficial.
However, he does not appear to possess the hitting capabilities necessary for a significant role on a major league team. With his 30th birthday approaching in May, his OPS for Round Rock last year matched his big league performance at 744. Over the course of 266 games in AAA, he has a career slash line of .255/.327/.446. He finds himself as the 39th or 40th man on a 40-man roster—valuable to have around, but also likely to be a candidate for waiver claims when a roster spot is needed.
