Joc Pederson's latest leadoff HR moves him closer to Rangers' record

Texas Rangers designated hitter Joc Pederson. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Joc Pederson's latest leadoff HR moves him closer to Rangers' record

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Aug 12, 2026 12:14 AM ET

Doing what he does best, Joc Pederson opened up the Texas Rangers' Tuesday night matchup with the Los Angeles Angels by blasting a home run to deep center field.

Facing an 0-2 count, Pederson clubbed his 22nd home run of the season and, more importantly, his seventh leadoff homer of the season.

Joc Pederson sits tied for the second-most leadoff HRs in franchise history

Pederson's seven leadoff home runs have him now tied for second-most in a season in franchise history, which even includes going back to the 1961 expansion Washington Senators before they relocated to Arlington, Texas, to become the Rangers.

The next step for Pederson after securing the No. 2 spot all to himself will be Marcus Semien's team record of 10 from 2023.

Pederson still has a long way to go to approach the MLB record

To put Pederson's seven leadoff home runs in perspective as far as MLB history, Kyle Schwarber set the league's single-season high when he crushed 15 two years ago.

Joc Pederson crushes his 7th leadoff homer of the season pic.twitter.com/hQyyYkNZtL
— MLB (@MLB) August 12, 2026

The Angels walked Pederson in his next three plate appearances following his big leadoff home run. Los Angeles' plan to take Pederson's hot bat away from him worked, as the Rangers lost the game 3-2.

Joc Pederson has had an up and down season so far

Beyond his leadoff home runs, Pederson now has 45 RBI and 49 runs scored in 108 games so far in his second season with the Rangers. He entered Tuesday's game with a slash line of .248/.335/.500.

A two-time All-Star (2015, 2022) and two-time World Series champion (2020 with the Dodgers, 2021 with the Braves), Pederson is three home runs shy of putting up his highest total since he smacked his career-best 36 in 2019, the only time he reached 30 in a season.

Since that monster campaign seven years ago, he's never hit more than 23, doing so twice (2022, 2024).

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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