Team USA is in scramble mode to replace Corbin Carroll weeks before the World Baseball Classic after the Arizona Diamondback outfielder suffered a broken hamate bone during a live BP session on Wednesday in Arizona.
Several names are floating around as potential roster replacement options. Among those is the Texas Rangers star outfielder Wyatt Langford.
Langford would be fourth Ranger to compete in 2026 World Baseball Classic
Langford is entering his third year in the big leagues since being drafted fourth overall out of Florida during the June 2023 draft. He made waves early making the 2024 Opening Day roster after playing just 50 minor league games.
In 268 career games, Langford is slashing .247/.335/.423 with 38 home runs, 136 RBIs, 50 doubles and 41 stolen bases. At just 23 years old, Langford already has a career 9.5 WAR and last season became the youngest Rangers to reach the 20/20 club.
Langford should have been under consideration to fill one of the remaining outfield spots on Team USA weeks ago. Instead, the finalized roster last week consisted of Carroll, Byron Buxton, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Aaron Judge.
With Carroll undergoing surgery this week and out for the World Baseball Classic, happening in mid-March, Langford joins the list of replacements alongside Steven Kwan, Tyler Soderstrom, Riley Greene, Roman Anthony, James Wood and Kyle Stowers.
Venture to guess that Langford’s shot is slim compared to a couple other names on that list. If USA manager Mark DeRosa had his pick from the pack it would go to Greene, Kwan or Soderstrom but Langford wouldn’t be too far behind.
If selected, Langford would be the fourth Ranger (active and non-roster invitee) to represent their home country in the tournament with Robert Garcia and Alejandro Osuna playing for Mexico and right-handed pitcher Cal Quantrill set to pitch for Canada.