In this article
ARLINGTON, Texas — Ezequiel Duran made 49 starts at shortstop for the Texas Rangers in 2026. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic wrote Tuesday that Duran could play shortstop while the club waits for top prospect Sebastian Walcott if Texas trades Corey Seager. The Rangers intend to explore moving Seager at this week’s general managers’ meetings in Las Vegas.
Without Seager, Rosenthal wrote, the Rangers would probably shift toward more of a pitching-and-defense model. Texas finished 22nd in the majors in ERA in 2026, according to Rosenthal, on the way to an 80-82 record.
Ezequiel Duran Started 49 Games At Shortstop In Gold Glove Season
Duran won the American League Gold Glove at the utility position Nov. 1, becoming the first Ranger to win the award in that category since Rawlings introduced it in 2022. He started at every position except pitcher and catcher, with 49 starts at shortstop, 41 at third base, 25 at second base, 14 in center field, 9 in left field, 7 in right field, and 1 at first base, MLB.com reported.
Duran totaled 17 Outs Above Average across those positions, which ranked in the 99th percentile. His 11 Outs Above Average at shortstop ranked fourth among American League players at the position.
Rangers manager Skip Schumaker spoke about Duran in Arizona on Sept. 12, with Texas still chasing a playoff spot.
“I think there’s something wrong if [Duran] doesn’t win the Gold Glove,” Schumaker said.
At the plate, Duran hit .260 with 17 home runs, 83 RBI, and 12 stolen bases in 153 games. A year earlier, he did not homer in 90 games and finished with a .559 OPS. Duran signed a one-year deal for 2026 to avoid arbitration, and he turns 28 on May 22.
Sebastian Walcott Returned From Elbow Procedure To Play Shortstop In Arizona Fall League
Walcott, 20, is the Rangers’ top prospect and No. 8 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100.
His 2025 Arizona Fall League stint lasted one game before he was shut down with fatigue in his right arm. In February, the issue was diagnosed as a torn elbow ligament. Walcott had an internal brace procedure rather than Tommy John surgery.
After returning in mid-July, Walcott was used mostly at designated hitter. In 166 minor league at-bats in 2026, he hit .325/.401/.590 with 10 home runs, 21 RBI, and 13 stolen bases. He played shortstop in the final week of the minor league regular season and made his Triple-A debut in September.
Texas added Walcott to the Surprise Saguaros’ Fall League roster after its original eight-player allocation. Rangers general manager Ross Fenstermaker said Walcott would play shortstop two or three times a week, with defensive work on the side on other days.
Fenstermaker spoke when the Rangers announced the assignment in late September.
“It’s all positive. We’re really encouraged by the progress he made,” Fenstermaker said.
Walcott spoke with MLB.com in Surprise, Arizona, during his second Fall League stint.
“Honestly, the elbow feels great,” Walcott said. “I’m ready. I feel confident playing the field.”
Join the conversation