ARLINGTON, Texas — As Spring Training winds down, the Texas Rangers had a decision to make with their outfield. Heading into their days in Surprise, Texas already had a full Major League-quality depth chart, but there was someone else knocking at the door that proved inevitable.
That kid, Wyatt Langford, wasn’t even a part of the organization at this point last spring. But the talent of the fourth overall selection from last July’s MLB Draft matched the hype level and the reigning champion Rangers now appear to have too many outfielders for not enough positions. Truth be told, it’s not a terrible problem to have.
2023 Opening Day Outfielders – Adolis Garcia, Robbie Grossman, Bubba Thompson, Travis Jankowski
2024 Projected Opening Day Outfielders – Adolis Garcia, Leody Taveras, Evan Carter, Wyatt Langford, Travis Jankowski
If it seems strange to have five projected Opening Day outfielders, well, it is, at least a little bit. It could be even stranger. After all, there’s still Ezequiel Duran and even Josh Smith, both of whom can slide in somewhere in the outfield if needed.
If the 2024 version looks crowded, the Rangers’ outfield in 2023 was about 75% dangerous. Adolis Garcia was the cause for a lot of that danger as he built quite the legend for himself, not just with his extra base-erasing arm in right field, but for a second All-Star season and a postseason that will never be forgotten in North Texas.
Garcia’s run through the playoffs, and especially his part in ratcheting up the rivalry between the Rangers and Houston Astros on his way to an ALCS MVP performance, was a kingmaker month. But Garcia was no slouch outside of his days owning Houston, either. With a slash of .245/.328/.508, a career-high 39 home runs, and Gold Glove defense, Garcia established himself as one of the premiere right fielders in the game and the heartbeat for Texas.
After an incredibly productive first half of the season, Travis Jankowski could have won a Best Bench Player Award if such a thing existed. He also spelled Garcia for the final two games of the World Series to contribute to the championship. Though the outfield is pretty full, having Jankowski back makes sense as someone who is used to coming in off the bench and someone who can act as a mentor to the rookies.
Bubba Thompson’s brief stint eventually gave way to Leody Taveras, whose speed and defense was an asset in center field. In addition, he became that much sought-after “secondary” lead off person at the bottom of the lineup. Taveras comes into 2024 on the hot seat with the influx of rookie talent vying for playing time, but the Rangers believe in him and he’s been improving inch by inch to reward their patience.
Robbie Grossman proved to be a valuable member of the bench as a lefty hitting specialist but his play in the field was the weakest link in an otherwise superlative Texas defense. It was no surprise then that, when the cavalry was needed for Texas mid-September, it was wonderkind prospect Evan Carter that got the call.
Carter quickly won the hearts of the Rangers fandom and the trust of the Rangers management. After helping Texas eke into the playoffs by hitting .306/.413/.645 in 23 regular season games, Carter, just 21-years old, set the record for longest hitting streak to start a postseason career with 11 games and broke the record for most doubles in a single postseason with nine.
As Texas starts down the Road to Repeat, Carter is expected to lock down the left field job and he can still aim for Rookie of the Year honors even as he polishes his World Series championship ring.
As it turns out, he'll have some competition for those honors from his own dugout. As announced on Friday, Wyatt Langford played well enough to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster after just 44 games in the minor leagues and just nine months as a professional. Of course, as something of a Cactus League sensation, “played well enough” is an understatement. The former Florida Gator, just 22-years old himself (yes, older than Carter), has an incredible .375/.429/.732 slash line this spring in 19 games with six homers and 20 RBI.
Langford played in the World Series last year, as well. The College World Series. In 2024, he will begin his big league career on the roster for the defending World Series champions and he accomplished the feat simply by being too good to keep down.
This 2024 Texas outfield appears to be 100% dangerous. Furthermore, with Mitch Garver moving on to Seattle, the Rangers, even when starting infielders Corey Seager, Josh Jung and Nathaniel Lowe return at full strength, could make use of a rotational role at designated hitter even though that is where Langford is expected to receive the bulk of his at-bats.
Langford, who is still a bit of a novice as an outfielder after spending his prep days at catcher, will spell in left field on days where Carter spells in center field. With that arrangement, the Rangers are stronger defensively. And with Langford concentrating on hitting, the lineup is undoubtedly stronger.
The Rangers won the World Series in 2023 with an outfield that was more patchwork than established, at least until the savior Carter arrived late in the year. In 2024, the Rangers hope to graduate their two biggest prospects – two prospects that look like they can be star players – to make the outfield one of the strengths of the team as they defend their title.
Do you think the Rangers will end up with one of the league’s best outfields? Share your thoughts with Matt on Twitter @FisherWritesMLB.
