At barely 22, Wyatt Langford entered the Texas Rangers clubhouse Friday morning for his first MLB spring training. The fourth overall pick in July’s MLB draft arrived three days early with 200 career professional plate appearances to his name.
And he’s not just being given a courtesy, first-round pick invitation to big league camp. He has a legitimate chance to make the Opening Day roster if he proves he’s ready this spring. None of that seems to faze him, which might be at the heart of why manager Bruce Bochy and general manager Chris Young have no qualms about discussing the prospect of Langford making the roster. Scrutiny didn’t bother him while shooting through the Rangers system last summer. “He’s comfortable with that,” Bochy said. “He’s a very humble guy. He’s got a great way about him, so I think he’s going to come in with the right attitude, and that’s to compete for a job. He’s not here just to be here for his first camp. We’re staying open-minded.”
By open-minded, that means the Rangers would be willing to use Langford at designated hitter if a position isn’t available. Langford’s most familiar position is left field. Currently, that’s likely to be Evan Carter’s starting spot. However, if center fielder Leody Taveras struggles at the plate, or an injury sidelines Carter or right-fielder Adolis Garcia, that’s where Langford would be a very serious option if he produces this spring.
