Texas Rangers Fortify Outfield, Draft Wyatt Langford At No. 4

The Texas Rangers selected Florida outfielder Wyatt Langford at the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft.

Ultimately, the choice became simple for Texas Rangers general manager Chris Young when on the clock back at headquarters in Arlington. 

The Detriot Tigers took a chance on youth, thus letting one of the premier collegiate talents fall into the lap of a man who loves drafting prospects with experience. 

Wyatt Langford, a premier power-hitting outfielder from Florida, more than likely would be the consensus No. 1 pick in most classes. Instead, he falls out of the top three right to the Rangers with the fourth overall pick.  

Langford, whose home run pop could excel in his trajectory to the majors within the next 18 months, was expected to be in the running for the No. 1 pick after rumors swirled that LSU outfielder Dylan Crews was looking for a record-setting $10 million signing bonus. Instead, Pittsburgh turned its attention to Tiger teammate and right-hander Paul Skenes. 

Crews landed with the Washington Nationals at No. 2, while the Tigers elected to pass on Langford and select Franklin Community High School (Indiana) outfielder Max Clark. A pick later, Langford's elongated wait ceased.

Few college bats matched the power of Langford over the previous two seasons. After recording just four at-bats during his freshman year, the 6-1 outfielder became a staple of the Gators' offense en route to a College World Series appearance this past spring. 

Langford's power carried the Gators in SEC play for two seasons. He hit .373 with 21 home runs, 56 walks, and 44 strikeouts in 64 games this spring, posting a career-best 1.282 OPS. Langford also finished as a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award, while Florida lost the College World Series finals to LSU in three games.

During the final weeks of the regular season, Langford out-swung Crews as the No. 2 Gators continued their quest for postseason play. In Omaha, the 21-year-old shined at the plate, going 5-for-5 with six RBI and four runs scored in the Gators' historic 24-4 victory in Game 2. Throughout the tournament, he hit .375 with seven extra-base hits, three home runs and 9 RBI. 

Langford also made headlines for launching the longest home run — a 456-foot blast — in the College World Series opening round against Virginia. 

Primarily a left fielder, Langford is expected to remain in the corner once in the majors. In three years with the Gators, he was credited with just one error and six assists.

Langford now becomes the fifth consecutive college player to be selected by the Rangers in the first round. He'll join the crop of young talent, including right-handed pitcher Jack Leiter, third baseman Josh Jung, outfielder Evan Carter and utility man Luisangel Acuña as part of the new youth approach at Globe Life Park. 

The Rangers won't have another pick until Monday in the fourth round after the signings of free agents Nathan Eovaldi and Jacob DeGrom. Texas will next select with the 108th overall pick. 

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