Where Does Wyatt Langford Fit For Texas Rangers In 2024?
Evan Carter gave the Texas Rangers a spark in October that eventually led to the franchise's first World Series title.
Wyatt Langford, however, might be the reason folks in Arlington are starting to believe they're witnessing the beginning of a potential American League dynasty.
Langford, the 6-foot-2, 225-pound super-slugging, web gem-grabbing first-round pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, continues to stick out during the Cactus League in Arizona. It's not shocking to those in the building.
They had a front-row seat to watch the No. 4 overall pick tear his way through the minors in two months with a .360/.480/.677 slashline and 10 home runs.
It's early. Regression, timing and repetition could lead to a demotion before Texas packs up from Surprise to head home. For now, it's hard imagining a world where Langford isn't on the Opening Day lineup when the Chicago Cubs come to town.
Now the main question; where does he play?
Center field?
Left field?
Designated hitter?
"He's got a good eye at the plate; he's disciplined," said Bruce Bochy following his first home run Friday. "And again, you saw how strong he is. So it's just a matter of time before he gets really set with his timing."
It truly is a matter of 'when' not 'if' when it comes to Langford's consistency. He went from being a no-name catcher at Florida to one of college baseball's most clutch hitters for two seasons while guiding the Gators to the College World Series.
The power could lead him to secure the DH spot in place of Mitch Garver, who signed a two-year deal with AL West rival Seattle this offseason. More than likely, Langford would hit sixth, similar to Garver, thus adding a bit of torque to the beginning of the lineup's back half.
That doesn't mean Bochy won't consider moving him to the field while splitting duties with Travis Jankowski and Ezequiel Duran in a three-person rotation. Adolis Garcia is going to need some days off. The same goes for Leody Taveras.
Carter, who has position flexibility, could move over to center, thus giving way to Langford in the corner. Who knows? Perhaps a few good outings defensively and the move becomes permanent?
The Rangers have a plan in motion. There's little keeping Langford down in the minors. If anything the people playing ahead of him might be the only reason.
That's a good thing, right? Seeing great competition pushing competition to make the margin of error razor-thin?
Carter is pushing to win AL Rookie of the Year after his breakout postseason.
As for Langford, he's looking to make the team. Well, that and maybe swipe the award away from his hopeful long-time teammate.
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