Carter Remains Texas Rangers' No. 1 Prospect — For Now

Wyatt Langford is waiting in the wings to become the Texas Rangers' newest No. 1 prospect in Baseball America's top 10 rankings update.

Wyatt Langford is the Texas Rangers’ No. 2 overall prospect, per Baseball America’s recent top 10 prospect re-rankings in each organization.

The only reason he isn’t No. 1 is because Evan Carter hasn’t yet played enough games to slide off the rankings.

Carter will head into the 2024 season as the organization’s No. 1 prospect, even though he played the final three weeks of the regular season and was a key cog in the Rangers’ run to their first World Series championship. He’s also expected to be the Rangers’ starting left fielder in 2024.

Once Carter — who batted .288 with 13 home runs, 67 RBI, 79 runs, 81 walks, and 26 stolen bases with Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock last year — plays enough to move out of the rankings, Langford will move up to No. 1.

It’s possible, however, that Langford could make the Rangers’ Opening Day roster after the incredible start to his pro career in the minors last summer.

Drafted fourth overall in July out of Florida, Langford batted .360 in 44 games, with 10 home runs, 30 RBI, 36 runs, 36 walks, and 12 stolen bases. He bolted through the system and reached Triple-A Round Rock. He is the most advanced hitter in the Rangers’ system.

Sebastian Walcott, who was the Rangers’ top international signee in their 2023 class, is ranked No. 3. The Rangers paid him a $3.2 million bonus, and he paid them back with a .246 batting average, seven home runs, and 24 RBI, but he doesn't even turn 18 until March 14. He advanced from the Dominican Summer League to High Class-A Hickory.

The club's 2020 first-round pick, Justin Foscue, is rated as their No. 4 prospect. He's one of the best hitters in the system and spent last season at Round Rock where he batted .266 with 18 home runs and 84 RBI. He also led the system with 85 walks. The middle infielder doesn’t have a pathway to the Majors, thanks to Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, and could be one of the Rangers’ top trade pieces if they need help in 2024.

Starting pitcher Owen White rounds out the top 5. White made his MLB debut in 2023, pitching two games in relief and going 0-1 with an 11.25 ERA. With Frisco and Round Rock, he was 4-5 with a 4.22 ERA in 25 games (24 starts), with 88 strikeouts in 108 innings. He walked 55.

The rest of the top 10 includes first baseman/outfielder Dustin Harris, pitcher Brock Porter, shortstop Cameron Cauley, pitcher Kumar Rocker, and outfielder Anthony Gutierrez.

Is Langford Ready for Rangers Promotion?

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