Watch Texas Rangers Top Prospect Wyatt Langford Launch First Spring Training Home Run
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Wyatt Langford hit his first Cactus League home run, and he did not get cheated.
The Texas Rangers top prospect ripped a first-pitch fastball an estimated 440 feet to right-center for a two-run homer in the seventh inning at Scottsdale Stadium
The 22-year-old No. 4 overall pick from July's MLB draft, was 2 for 3 with a single, homer and walk in the Rangers' Cactus League game against the San Francisco Giants.
It's his second hit in parts of five games so far this spring. He collected his first single against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
"There wasn't much to it. Just a first-pitch fastball right down the middle," said Langford, who is now 3 for 13 with two walks and five strikeouts in his first spring training. "It feels real good. It feels good every time you get a home run."
Langford, who has a real shot to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster, said his veteran teammates have been a very valuable resource has he navigates his first big league spring training. Langford only had 200 professional plate appearances last summer after being drafted out of Florida.
Manager Bruce Bochy, who managed the Giants at Surprise Stadium for more than a "decade, was impressed with Langford's opposite-field power.
"You don't see many balls that go there from a right-handed bat," Bochy said. "He got a hold of that one. That just shows how strong the man is. I was glad to give him that fourth at bat."
Bochy said Friday morning before the game that Langford was handling his first spring well and showed no signs of concern about his hitting performance entering Friday's game. Langford made that obvious.
"I feel great. And all the guys have been really kind. They're all very open, like, open to help. Just open to talk. So it's been it's been a really good experience," Langford said.
Langford's home run came off right-hander Hayden Birdsong after Derek Hill walked.
"He's got a lot of self-confidence. He gets it, it's spring training, and he's getting his at-bats and getting good swings. He's hit some hard balls," Bochy said. "They've been smothering him a little bit [pitching him inside], but that's why we're here at spring training. He's got a good eye at the plate; he's disciplined. And again, you saw how strong he is. So it's just a matter of time before he gets really set with his timing."
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