Joc Pederson Sets Hitless Record with 41 At-Bats

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Texas Rangers designated hitter Joc Pederson made unwanted history on Tuesday night by extending his hitless streak to 41 at-bats in a 5-2 victory over the Las Vegas Aviators. This streak set a new franchise record, surpassing the previous mark of 39 at-bats held by Pederson himself from last season.

Pederson’s current batting average stands at a mere .052, with a batting line of .052/.141/.069 through his first 19 games this season. Rangers Manager Bruce Bochy remained optimistic about Pederson’s future despite the slump. “Joc is Joc. He has a lot of experience to draw on. It’s not his first slump, it might be his worst, I don’t know,” Bochy said. “But he’s been through them, and he knows he’s going to come out of it.”

While Pederson’s streak is concerning, he is still 13 at-bats short of the all-time record for hitless at-bats, held by Chris Davis of the Baltimore Orioles, who did not record a hit in 54 at-bats spanning the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Pederson could potentially match or surpass the streaks of former players Craig Counsell, Dave Campbell, and Bill Bergen this week, all of whom had at least 45 consecutive hitless at-bats.

Bochy noted that Pederson’s resilience during this challenging time is commendable. “I love the fact that he’s not showing any kind of effects from this little skid he’s in,” Bochy added. “He’s the first one out there when we win, and he’s been upbeat through all of this.”

Meanwhile, the Rangers are also dealing with roster changes in their pitching staff. They plan to place young right-hander Teodo on the minor league injured list due to shoulder fatigue, with an expected recovery of 7-10 days. Teodo showcased promising potential but has struggled with injuries early in the season.

As the Rangers navigate these challenges, all eyes will remain on Pederson as fans hope to see his hitting struggles come to an end soon.