SURPRISE, Ariz. — Most of this is my fault, or our fault, if you would care to join me in admitting your expectations for Wyatt Langford were a bit on the lofty side after the spring of 2024 when he hit six home runs and drove in 20 in 21 games while batting .365 in the batter-friendly skies of Arizona.
It was with that as the backdrop along with Langford crushing the ball for six weeks as a minor leaguer after being taken with the fourth pick of the 2023 draft that some of us deemed him a superstar in waiting.
Two years later, with a .247 batting average and 38 home runs in nearly 1,000 at-bats on the bottom line of his baseball card, I’d say we’re still waiting.
Yes, he hit a two-run bomb to dead center against the Cleveland Guardians on Monday afternoon. But as Langford himself said, “Out here the ball just flies. It’s really not comparable to anything, right?”
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So I read with interest a week ago when our forever beat writer, Evan Grant, wrote an exhaustive essay on what it could and should take to pay Langford star money for the next 10 years. Mind you, I said exhaustive (meaning thorough), not exhausting (more my style when I remind readers of the night I scored 32 in an intramural game at the Gregory Gym annex before Marquette upset North Carolina for the national championship).
Now that can get exhausting.
But I’m wondering if Langford shouldn’t do more than he has delivered thus far before Rangers president Chris Young walks into Ray Davis’ office and asks for a $150 million check.
In a recent ESPN ranking of corner outfielders, Langford was the fifth honorable mention candidate outside the top 10. Being No. 15 on Buster Olney’s list isn’t bad, by any means, nor does it necessarily mean anything in particular beyond the fact that Langford hitting 16 homers and 74 RBI’s as a rookie followed by 22 and 62 last year has not set the world on fire.
There was some thought Langford earlier this winter would be joining Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, but four outfielders were chosen ahead of him. Two, Boston’s Roman Anthony — a superstar prospect on everyone’s list it seems — and the Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong — a 30-homer hitting Gold Glove centerfielder last season — are younger than Langford.
I believe that OPS-plus is about the best single way to measure a hitter, given that it’s on-base plus slugging percentage with park advantages and disadvantages factored in. After two seasons, Langford’s 121 OPS+ means he is solidly better than average (which would be 100). It also means he ranks behind outfielders like Detroit’s Kerry Carpenter and the Twins’ Matt Wallner, to name a couple of hitters yet to reach star status or anything approaching long-term deals. I’m not saying Langford, as an everyday player, isn’t superior to these mostly platoon hitters. It’s just that his numbers have a ways to go before enshrinement proceedings are necessary.
New manager Skip Schumaker thinks I’m slightly nuts for having any concerns about Langford’s development and potential. “I think doing exactly what he’s doing is just part of the progression of a young player. And I think this league adjusts to you, and it’s all about how fast you adjust to them,’’ Schumaker said. “I don’t want him thinking he has to be somebody he’s not.
“He’s a really good outfielder that I think, when people start seeing more and more of him, will win a Gold Glove more often than not. I think there’s so much more that you’re going to see because he’s still adjusting to the big leagues.’’
In fairness, if Langford’s two-year numbers seem distant from superstar status, it’s good to remember he played a whopping total of 44 minor league games before making his Rangers debut in 2024.
“This is still only my third spring training, you know?’’ Langford said. “I think definitely my numbers can go way up. I mean [19 homers per year] is pretty low. I think I’m way better than what I’ve shown.’’
It’s not unusual for a top college hitter to move a bit too quickly to the majors. Langford’s Florida teammate, Jac Caglianone, produced even more long balls for the Gators and went sixth to Kansas City in the 2024 draft before launching a few long ones here last spring. But in the regular season he hit .157 in 210 rookie at-bats with seven home runs. Langford never slumped like that for the Rangers.
His home run Monday was his first of the spring, but he’s less focused on that than simply making hard contact time after time. He’ll likely hit second for Schumaker this season unless Evan Carter’s time in the leadoff spot is short-lived. In that case, the manager won’t hesitate to bump Langford into the top spot.
Said Schumaker, “I’ll take my chances when Wyatt Langford gets five at-bats per game.’’
On Twitter/X: @TimCowlishaw
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