After hitting his first career home run with an inside-the-park hit against the Cincinnati Reds on April 28, a memorable moment for the rookie from Florida, Wyatt Langford felt there was still something missing. Despite the excitement of that unconventional home run, Langford knew he had yet to clear another significant hurdle to truly solidify his achievement.
That moment finally arrived on Tuesday during a game against the New York Mets. Langford connected with an 0-1 sinker on the inside corner of the plate and sent it soaring 414 feet to deep left field at Globe Life Field. It was a near no-doubter, marking his first over-the-fence home run in his career.
The sensation of rounding the bases must have been immensely satisfying for Langford, and the joy continued when he returned to the dugout to celebrate with his Ranger teammates. However, they initially played a light-hearted prank on him, giving him the silent treatment for a few seconds before joining in the celebration of this milestone achievement.
Langford has appeared in 48 games this season since earning a spot on the Texas Opening Day roster. Just last year, he was competing in the College World Series and was a few weeks away from being drafted into Major League Baseball. Surprisingly, Langford fell to the fourth overall pick, behind LSU’s Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews, with the Detroit Tigers selecting outfielder Max Clark at number two.
Following a brief but impressive stint in the minors and an impressive showing during Spring Training, Langford earned a promotion to the Major Leagues with the Rangers. Despite some early-season struggles that led to a hamstring injury and a stint on the Injured List, Langford has since rebounded and become a standout performer in a struggling Rangers lineup. His highlight came with a memorable home run against New York.
Heading into Tuesday night’s game, Langford held a .236 batting average, reaching base about one-third of the time with an OPS of .612. He ranks seventh on the team with 21 RBIs, contributing five doubles and three triples. While he had shown extra-base hitting ability, the lack of an over-the-fence home run had been a lingering concern for Langford.
Langford’s swift ascent to the big leagues less than a year after being drafted sets him apart, and his recent power display suggests he’s poised for even greater accomplishments. Texas fans are optimistic that this home run marks the beginning of something special for Langford, believing his potential is only beginning to be unlocked.