CLEVELAND — The last month and more of Texas Rangers rookie Wyatt Langford’s first Major League season is marked by experience and a larger Focus on the next season. This includes the sequel with mostly unfamiliar scenes.
Langford started in center field against left-hander Matthew Boyd of the Cleveland Guardians in the final game of the series on Sunday at Progressive Field. This is a relatively new defensive prospect for Langford, who played outfield full-time in just his second season at Florida and played the majority of his college and professional games in left field.
“I think that’s more confidence that he’s going to get out there,” Bochy said. “He has all the tools and traits that could make him a good center fielder. But like in left field, he just needs some time out there.”
Langford’s speed (his sprint speed of 29.8 feet per second is in the 98th percentile in the league, according to Baseball Savant) and above-average arm strength come into their own in center field. It’s a matter of reps: Langford has started 75 games in left field this season, 25 as a designated hitter and just eight in center field in place of Leody Taveras.
“He has a little more freedom out there,” Bochy said. “I think he likes it out there.”
In the long term, it’s also a question of team fit. Taveras has started 261 regular-season games in center field since the start of 2023 and should “only get better,” according to Bochy, despite the more than 1,500 at-bats he’s already accumulated in the major leagues. Rookie outfielder Evan Carter is similarly fit for center field and has started 193 of his 314 professional games there, but his inexperience against left-handed pitchers and his missed 2024 season due to a lower back injury complicated matters.
The Rangers hope Taveras can “take the next step” as a hitter after regressing this year. They hope Carter — whose pro seasons have been hampered by back injuries for several years now — can return to full health for spring training. Langford’s question marks are more focused on experience and reps at the highest level of professional baseball.
Everywhere in the outfield.
“It’s nice to have that option,” Bochy said of Langford’s midfield abilities, “if you need him long-term.”
