The Rangers’ young infielder provides value to Texas that goes beyond his on-field contributions.
Texas Rangers infielder Cody Freeman looks out from the dugout before a spring training game against the Colorado Rockies at Surprise Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Surprise, Ariz.Rangers. Take a day to deal with feelings, Schumaker told him, and then get your groove back.
It’s very important, as the meme goes, that Freeman listen to him. There are more than a few similarities between Freeman and Schumaker, right down to their high socks. Freeman, like Schumaker was, is a utility player fighting from the back of the roster for a role. Schumaker was valued for his energy and intensity. And Schumaker also had to deal with a couple of spring injuries that put him in the exact same spot as Freeman now finds himself.“My whole career, I was that guy fighting for that last spot,” Schumaker said Sunday. “It’s hard to put into perspective sometimes for a guy in Cody’s position. So, as tough as it is for him to hear the news, I just wanted him to understand, there’s a reason why he got hurt.” He was talking about a strong belief in faith. Another trait he shares with Freeman. But he brought it back to practical baseball application quickly enough.“It’s hard to figure out right now, but he can utilize this time and watch some really good players go about their business for the first time in his career, like he can take a step back instead of just fighting for his life, trying to make a team,” Schumaker said. “When I stepped back, I got to watch some really good players go about their day in the weight room, take ground balls and do their early work, without having to panic thinking about my at-bats coming up at 1 o’clock. As soon as I realized that, it helped me. I started creating my own type of routine based on what these really good players are doing, and it helped me in my career moving forward. I’m hoping that’s what he does. He’s wired that way.” This may sound like a lot of words dedicated to potentially the last man on the bench. And perhaps it is. Then again,. And while the Rangers did rally to beat Colorado on Sunday, it’s the third game of the spring. Other thanTexas Rangers infielder Cody Freeman puts his arm around infielder Cameron Cauley as he hams it up in the dugout with teammates before a spring training game against the Colorado Rockies at Surprise Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Surprise, Ariz. A culture that Schumaker has talked about extensively, one in which teammates take joy from the success of others . Freeman figures prominently in that. The energy he brought over the last two months of the season as a fresh-raced rookie perhaps kept a stale clubhouse from going rancid. It provided a temporary lift to a season turning sour by the moment. He was invested in other teammates and invested in doing whatever it took to win. Again, a Schumaker starter kit.The Rangers were invested in trying to find a way for Freeman to earn a roster spot. They value him more than his marginal offensive numbers. Not as a cheerleader, but as a living, breathing example of what winning culture looks like. Hey, the veterans weren’t great at creating one last year; maybe the kids offer something better. For his part, Freeman very much listened to Schumaker. He allowed himself all the feels on Saturday. Didn’t really leave his locker, tucked into a far corner of the clubhouse. Alejandro Osuna, a close friend and fellow viber, leaned on one knee to talk with Freeman, then put his arm around for a hug. Freeman spent much of the rest of the clubhouse period simply sitting in his locker, hoodie pulled over his head. When Sunday dawned, the fog lifted. Freeman said his daily devotional, which he said was “all about trust,” came to camp and spread vibes again.“People feed off energy and vibes,” Freeman said. “What I can do right now is still bring that energy and joy. I’m not going to mope. That was part of message. Within 30 minutes of that, I’d started to turn the page.” On Sunday, when the Rangers began their game against Colorado, there was Freeman leaning over the rail in the dugout, animated and engaging with minor leaguers Cam Cauley and Trevor Hauver. The smile and the energy appeared to be back. And if he follows the rest of Schumaker’s advice, he might just come back an improved player, too. Wouldn’t that be a vibe?Rangers, MacKenzie Gore focusing on the positives after lefty’s spring training debutEvan has covered the Rangers since 1997. He has twice been named one of the top 10 beat writers in the country by the AP Sports Editors. His passions outside of covering baseball are his wife, Gina, his two step kids, two crazy dogs & barbecue. Let's not discuss the cat. Evan graduated from Georgia State University, but oddly is a Georgia fan.
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