Wyatt Langford: Legend in the Making?
Wyatt Langford made a choice that would change the rest of his life during his senior year in high school.
He ditched his football cleats for baseball ones for good, choosing to focus on the diamond and his Division I offer from the University of Florida that he received at just 16 years old.
That key decision began a new chapter, and now the former Florida Gator turned MLB star has made quite the impact for the Texas Rangers at the start of his career. His dedication and hard work has paved the way towards his success.
“Coaches can try and take credit for it but this kid, he was destined for it, he made himself,” said Scott Hall, his Trenton high school coach.
In just two seasons, the Rangers’ new addition has put up impressive stats, batting a cumulative .247 average and exhibiting strength, poise, speed and maturity beyond his years. With such talent and skill, it begs the question: Will he be the future of the franchise?
For the Love of the Game
Looking back to his formative years – before the packed stadiums, fans and pressure – Langford’s star potential radiated to his friends, family and coaches alike. His younger sister Seanna played a crucial role in his development – challenging him in the way only family could and offering support when she traveled to his games.
As a native Floridian, Langford grew up in Trenton, Fla. and tried his hand at a number of sports, including football like his dad. Despite his attempt to follow in his father’s footsteps, baseball always had a stronger pull. As a focused player, Langford was dedicated and would often be found by his parents out in the barn practicing his swing.
“He would come in even on days when we weren’t doing nothing,” Hall said. “He’d be there working on his swing, working on whatever he needed to work on.”
Langford’s focus was unmatched, and he had already built a mentality strong enough to rival those in the MLB.
“He had a grasp of the deeper things that the game was all about, some of the other kids are just out there, they’re just playing but for him it was business,” Hall said.
A Million More Eyes
At Florida, the attention grew as Langford’s star potential now shined on a national level. His confident and calm composure allowed him to step into the spotlight with ease.
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“He’s been confident and capable so it really wasn’t nerve wracking,” his mother, Maria, said. “He always seems to handle things well.”
Maria has seen her son perform on some of the biggest stages in baseball, hit countless home runs and impress fans all over the country, but what she loves to brag about most isn’t his talent – it’s his character:
“This is coming from a mom,” she said with a laugh. “He hit a home run on Mother’s Day at Florida, and he was able to get the ball from the kid that retrieved it. He traded his batting gloves for the ball so he could give it to me for Mother’s Day.”
Humility and modesty – key components that frame Langford’s success as a person as well as a professional major league baseball player.
Langford was drafted in the first round of the 2023 MLB draft as the fourth overall pick, finishing his time as a Florida Gator with a .363 batting average after leading his team to a College World Series Championship appearance.
Future All-Star?
While many could consider Langford’s transition into the MLB to be unworthy of future Hall of Fame discussions, the numbers – and history – suggest otherwise.
In his rookie year, Langford joined a club so exclusive only one other ballplayer has gained entry in the entire history of the MLB. Jackie Robinson and Langford, both in their rookie year, are now the only ballplayers in history to produce a walk-off grand slam, inside-the-park home run and hit for the cycle.
Digging deeper into their connection, Langford’s rookie stats rival Robinson’s, with his 16 home runs to 12, 74 RBIs to 48, 19 stolen bases to 29, and a .253 batting average to .297.
If power alone wasn’t enough, Langford’s rookie year shows similar stats to Derek Jeter. Jeter’s debut season wasn’t overpowering with 10 home runs, 78 RBI’s, 14 stolen bases, and a .314 batting average.
But, his personality, poise in high-pressure situations and on-field excellence stirred conversation. That same composure can be seen dating back to Langford’s youth, making him a real potential figure for the future of the Rangers’ franchise.
Langford’s shoulder-to-shoulder journey with history doesn’t stop there. In a game against the Houston Astros, Langford stole his 20th base of the season to become the youngest player in Rangers franchise history to join the exclusive 20-20 club – 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a single season.
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If Langford’s historic path continues, he will no doubt grow into a future face of the MLB. His potential is something to keep in mind for future years as the Rangers strengthen their team. After such a historic career over such a short span of time, there’s no limit to how successful Langford could become.
“So many of the other kids were out there, they were just playing,” Hall said. “But for him, it was business. He [has] a grasp of the deeper things that the game is all about. His work ethic, the intelligence, just putting all of that together make him, him – make him successful.”
Category: Baseball, Former Gators, Gator Sports, Gators Baseball, MLB
