AB | 499 |
---|---|
AVG | .253 |
OBP | .325 |
SLG | .415 |
HR | 16 |
- Full name Wyatt Michael Langford
- Born 11/15/2001 in Gainesville, FL
- Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Florida
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Drafted in the 1st round (4th overall) by the Texas Rangers in 2023 (signed for $8,000,000).
View Draft Report
School: Florida Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.7
BA Grade:60/High
Tools:Hit: 60. Power: 65. Run: 60. Field: 50. Arm: 50.
Langford wasn’t a high-profile prospect out of Trenton (Fla.) High. A few scouts were intrigued with his hitting ability at the time, but ultimately he made his way to campus at Florida. He only pinch-hit in four games in 2021, but stormed onto the college baseball scene in 2022, when he tied a Gators program record with 26 home runs and led the team in most offensive categories. During his 2023 draft year, Langford hit .373/.498/.784 with 21 home runs, 28 doubles, a 14.5% strikeout rate and an 18.5% walk rate and helped push Florida to the College World Series finals. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound outfielder’s game is centered on his power and hitting ability. Scouts have given him 70-grade raw power evaluations, and his all-fields home run production and gaudy exit velocities back that up. Langford has a simple and direct swing from the right side, with few moving parts and a low handset and slight leg kick to get started. He has more than enough bat speed to handle velocity—he produced a 1.725 OPS vs. 92-plus mph pitches in a 238-pitch sample—and generally stays within the strike zone, though he occasionally shows a tendency to leak with his lower half out on outer third breaking balls. Langford started showing improved run times during the 2022 fall, and has flashed 70-grade speed, though he more consistently performs as an above-average or plus runner. He’s played left field at Florida, with Jud Fabian handling center field in 2022 and Michael Robertson playing the position in 2023, but it would be unsurprising for the team who drafts him to start him in center field in pro ball. Langford was a catcher in high school and also served as Team USA’s emergency catcher in 2022. One of the most accomplished offensive players in the class, Langford should go off the board among the first five picks.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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BA Grade: 70/High
Track Record: Langford went undrafted out of Trenton (Fla.) High, then spent his sophomore and junior seasons at Florida building himself into one of the best players in the country. He spent the summer after his sophomore season with USA Baseball’s College National Team. In 2023 he helped propel the Gators to College World Series finals. The Rangers drafted Langford fourth overall and signed him to an over-slot deal of $8 million, then watched as he had the loudest pro debut of any 2023 draftee, hitting .360/.480/.677 in 44 games and reaching Triple-A.
Scouting Report: Pound for pound, Langford is one of the best prospects in the sport. He was unchallenged at any of his minor league stops and was the only player on the Rangers’ postseason taxi squad who was not part of the 40-man roster. The righthanded hitter has a simple, powerful swing that keeps the barrel in the zone long enough to hit for a high average and with enough strength and loft to eventually achieve double-plus power. Langford also makes stellar swing decisions. He doesn’t chase often, and he rarely misses pitches in the zone. He should be an offensive force in Texas in short order. Defensively, Langford has a bit more work to do. He needs to improve his reads, routes and jumps in order to grade near average on an outfield corner. His fringe-average arm makes him fit best in left field, where his bat would certainly profile. He is a plus runner.
The Future: Langford finished the season on the precipice of the big leagues. In 2024, he should make the final leap. He has the skills and the pedigree to be a cornerstone in the Rangers’ lineup.
Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 70 | Run: 50 | Field: 45 | Arm: 45
Draft Prospects
-
School: Florida Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.7
BA Grade:60/High
Tools:Hit: 60. Power: 65. Run: 60. Field: 50. Arm: 50.
Langford wasn’t a high-profile prospect out of Trenton (Fla.) High. A few scouts were intrigued with his hitting ability at the time, but ultimately he made his way to campus at Florida. He only pinch-hit in four games in 2021, but stormed onto the college baseball scene in 2022, when he tied a Gators program record with 26 home runs and led the team in most offensive categories. During his 2023 draft year, Langford hit .373/.498/.784 with 21 home runs, 28 doubles, a 14.5% strikeout rate and an 18.5% walk rate and helped push Florida to the College World Series finals. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound outfielder’s game is centered on his power and hitting ability. Scouts have given him 70-grade raw power evaluations, and his all-fields home run production and gaudy exit velocities back that up. Langford has a simple and direct swing from the right side, with few moving parts and a low handset and slight leg kick to get started. He has more than enough bat speed to handle velocity—he produced a 1.725 OPS vs. 92-plus mph pitches in a 238-pitch sample—and generally stays within the strike zone, though he occasionally shows a tendency to leak with his lower half out on outer third breaking balls. Langford started showing improved run times during the 2022 fall, and has flashed 70-grade speed, though he more consistently performs as an above-average or plus runner. He’s played left field at Florida, with Jud Fabian handling center field in 2022 and Michael Robertson playing the position in 2023, but it would be unsurprising for the team who drafts him to start him in center field in pro ball. Langford was a catcher in high school and also served as Team USA’s emergency catcher in 2022. One of the most accomplished offensive players in the class, Langford should go off the board among the first five picks.