Rangers Notes: Langford, Carter, Smith, Dorton

"Langford has some experience up the middle. He has started 50 games and logged 414 1/3 innings there in the big leagues. Both Defensive Runs Saved and Statcast's Outs Above Average have liked his work. It's a limited sample, but Langford has posted excellent marks in nearly 1700 innings in left field. He's an excellent runner underway and has gotten solid grades from Statcast for his first-step reads. Langford's arm isn't spectacular but also isn't poor enough to limit him to left field."

"It's rare for a college corner outfielder to move up the defensive spectrum in pro ball. Langford played left at the University of Florida as well, though that was in deference to two players whom scouts regarded as plus defenders up the middle. He hit his way to the big leagues so quickly that the Rangers didn't have time to get him much minor league work in center. Texas used Leody Taveras as their center fielder in 2024 and gave Evan Carter the majority of the reps there this past season."

"Carter is back and could certainly stake a claim to the center field role. He has battled injuries and been a little up-and-down since his sensational debut late in 2023. The Rangers have also used Carter in a strict platoon capacity, giving him a total of 68 career plate appearances versus lefty pitching. He has all of five MLB hits against southpaws. Schumaker suggested they could open up a few more left-on-left looks for Carter this season - even if they try to ease him in against less imposing arms."

The Rangers non-tendered Adolis García and traded Marcus Semien for Brandon Nimmo, reshaping the outfield and creating positional flexibility. Wyatt Langford has limited but positive center-field experience with 50 starts and 414 1/3 innings, plus strong Defensive Runs Saved and Outs Above Average marks, excellent range, and good first-step reads despite an average arm. Transitioning a college corner outfielder to center is uncommon; Langford played left at Florida and lacked minor-league center reps due to a rapid rise. Evan Carter remains in the mix but has battled injuries and has been used heavily in platoon situations against left-handed pitching.

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