Sometimes the smallest changes say the most.
As the 2026 season approaches, Joc Pederson isn’t making noise with bold quotes or flashy promises. Instead, he’s letting a detail do the talking — one that longtime fans immediately recognize. Pederson is officially switching back to No. 3, the jersey number he wore during his 2024 stint with the Arizona Diamondbacks, after spending last season in No. 4.
On the surface, it’s a minor adjustment. But inside the game, veterans know better.
Pederson originally moved away from No. 3 not by choice, but by circumstance. When he arrived in Texas, the number was already locked up by Leody Taveras, forcing a change that never quite felt permanent. Now, with a new season and a clean slate ahead, Pederson reclaims the number that represents one of the steadier, more confident chapters of his recent career.
Around the clubhouse, the switch hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Teammates see it as a quiet statement — a signal that Pederson is entering 2026 focused, comfortable, and intentional. Coaches describe him as sharper in early workouts, more vocal in small moments, and clearly locked in on setting a tone rather than chasing attention.
For a player with Pederson’s résumé, symbolism matters. Numbers carry rhythm. Familiarity breeds confidence. And confidence, especially for a veteran bat, can be the difference between streaks and slumps.
Fans have already begun reading between the lines 👀
New number.
New routine.
New chapter.
There’s no guarantee what the stat line will look like when the season ends. But one thing is clear: Joc Pederson isn’t drifting into 2026 — he’s stepping into it with purpose.
Sometimes a reset doesn’t need a speech.
Sometimes it just needs the right number stitched on the chest.
