After a dominant run in the Cactus League, Rangers outfielder Wyatt Langford will join the reigning World Series champions for Opening Day. The Rangers confirmed that Langford made the team’s Opening Day roster, as the polished outfielder will make his MLB bow after a torrid 13 months in the NCAA, Minors, and Spring Training.
A Look at Langford
New Rangers outfielder Wyatt Langford has been on the radar for years, thanks to an impressive resume at the University of Florida.
Langford hit 26 home runs during his sophomore season in 2022 and carried that momentum into an incredible junior campaign. While the 22-year-old didn’t match that lofty number in 2023, the ex-Gator finished in a tie for 29th in the nation with 21 home runs and a career-high 1.275 OPS.
Langford — arguably the second-best bat in last year’s draft behind Dylan Crews — made a run to be in contention for the top pick last July but fell to Texas at #4. Thus far, Langford is set to only add to an embarrassment of riches. Across 44 games in the Minors, Langford hit .360 with 10 home runs and a 1.157 OPS.
And this spring, the 22-year-old was second in the Majors in Spring Training OPS (1.188), behind only James Wood of the Nationals.
Offensively, the tools stand out on video. Langford boasts 30+ home run potential thanks to premium bat speed and plus strength. Not to mention, he showed the ability to get at pitches both up and down and has power to all sides of the field.
Defensively, scouting reports like Langford in left field. The Rangers outfielder doesn’t possess an above-average arm per reports, making him a tough fit in right.
The Florida Gators have produced incredible talent over the years — Pete Alonso, AJ Puk, and Brady Singer, to name a few — and Langford’s poised to follow in their footsteps.
Analysis
The promotion of Langford gives the Rangers a formidable outfield. Langford joins a group that currently includes Adolis Garcia, who belted 39 home runs in a career season, Leody Taveras, Travis Jankowski, and fellow rookie Evan Carter.
The Rangers don’t have a regular DH on their roster for 2024, as Mitch Garver joined the Mariners in the offseason after heading to free agency. With the Rangers reportedly hoping Langford could fill that void, it appears a strong spring locked up a roster spot for Opening Day.
Despite the hole in the DH slot, Langford could split time in left field with Evan Carter, a position where he mostly spent his time in the Minors last season, as Bruce Bochy could rotate the two between left and DH.