Every baseball season is full of surprises, both positive and negative.
Up until the final month of the season, you could probably argue most of the Texas Rangers’ surprises in 2025 have been of the negative variety. What is likely the biggest stunner of the season, however, is a positive one: the emergence of Michael Helman.
The 29-year-old rookie has burst onto the scene for the Rangers and been a key piece in Texas’ late playoff push after it appeared the season was finished.
Here are 5 things to know about the Rangers’ breakout contributor.
Rangers
1. The basics
Name: Michael James Helman
Born: May 23, 1996 in Lincoln, Neb.
Height: 6-0 Weight: 195 pounds
Position: Outfield
2. He’s an Aggie
Helman’s college baseball journey took him through college station.
After two years at Hutchinson Community College, where he starred and was named National Junior College Player of the Year in 2017, Helman transfered to Texas A&M for the 2018 season. In his one season in College Station, he started 62 games, hit .369 with six homers, 36 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.
That summer, the Twins drafted him in the 11th round of the 2018 MLB draft.
Also of note, he met his wife Allie at A&M and they are expecting their second child at the end of October
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3. Helping the playoff push
In what has become one of the more memorable runs from a Rangers player in recent history, injuries to Adolis Garcia and Evan Carter forced Helman into a significant role with the Rangers.
He has starred in the role, posting a .937 OPS in his first 64 at-bats with the Rangers and providing stellar defense in the outfield as Texas stormed back into the playoff race.
Since being recalled, Helman has a .974 OPS, 18th in MLB among guys with at least 50 PAs in that stretch; next Ranger is Wyatt Langford at .869. https://t.co/TKaH9PBLw1
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) September 16, 2025
4. Third time’s the charm
The Rangers had their eye on Helman for a long time, dating back to 2024. They finally landed him on their third attempt.
Texas had plans to pursue him in minor league free agency in the offseason, but he was added to Minnesota’s roster in September, traded for cash to St. Louis in December, DFA’d by St. Louis in the second week of May, claimed by Pittsburgh and run through waivers again two days later. The Rangers put in a waiver claim for Helman both times, and got him on the second time.
He was then stashed at Triple-A Round Rock for some extra depth until he got his shot with the Rangers.
5. His grand swing
Given the Rangers’ lofty expectations for a largely disappointing offense in 2025, Texas probably didn’t imagine its first grand slam of the season wouldn’t happen until Sept. 8, let alone by a guy who wasn’t on the team at the beginning of the year.
Helman blasted Texas’ first grand slam of 2025 in a key win over the Brewers. See his grand swing below.
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