That was fast.
The Texas Rangers — according to Baseball America’s updated top 100 prospects list, at least — have a new No. 1 prospect.
He hasn’t even joined the organization yet, either.
Florida outfielder Wyatt Langford, drafted fourth overall in the 2023 MLB Draft by the Rangers, is No. 11 on Baseball America’s post-draft rankings. Outfielder Evan Carter, the Rangers’ No. 1 prospect the entirety of this season, is now No. 12.
Langford is one of four 2023 draftees ranked within the top 20: LSU outfielder Dylan Crews (drafted second overall by the Washington Nationals) is No. 4; LSU pitcher Paul Skenes (drafted first overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates) is No. 6, and high school outfielder Max Clark (drafted third overall by the Detroit Tigers) is No. 22.
A 6-1 outfielder, Langford hit 47 home runs in his last two seasons at Florida, was named a Golden Spikes semifinalist in 2023 and led the Gators to the College World Series finals. Prior to last Sunday’s draft, there was speculation that Langford could be drafted first overall over Crews and Skenes.
It’s still early of course. Langford hasn’t officially signed with the Rangers, and he hasn’t played an innings of professional baseball. Carter, the No. 1 prospect in The Dallas Morning News’ organizational top 30, has a track record and has been one of the best hitters in the Double-A Texas League as a 20-year-old.
Langford’s placement in Baseball America’s top 100 is a reflection of his his ceiling and five-tool potential, though. ESPN draft insider Kiley McDaniel called the 2023 MLB Draft one of the best in decades, and said that multiple “face of the franchise” type players were within.
Langford and Carter are two of five Rangers prospects on the top 100. Infielders Luisangel Acuna and Sebastian Walcott rank No. 90 and 93 respectively, and pitcher Owen White ranks No. 100.
Briefly: The Rangers signed Plano Prestonwood alum Luke Savage, a right-handed pitcher from TCU, to a professional contract on Friday. Savage had a 3.43 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 39.1 innings for the Horned Frogs this season ... Veteran relief pitcher Ryan Tepera exercised an opt-out clause in his minor league contract and is expected to become a free agent, according to MLB Trade Rumors. Tepera, 35, pitched in seven games for Triple-A Round Rock after the Rangers signed him in June.
CORRECTION, 10:28 p.m., July 14, 2023: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the Detroit Tigers’ first-round selection in the 2023 MLB draft as Walker Jenkins.
On Twitter: @McFarland_Shawn
Find more Rangers coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
