It took three months into the 2024 MLB season, but the Texas Rangers have finally celebrated their first cycle of the year, thanks to rookie sensation Wyatt Langford. Langford's remarkable accomplishment came against the Baltimore Orioles and added a cherry on top of the Rangers' dominating 11-2 victory. This achievement also marked a significant milestone in franchise history, as it was the 11th cycle ever recorded by a Rangers player.
Langford's cycle is the first for the Rangers since Carlos Gómez achieved the feat in 2017. Adding to the historic nature of the moment, Langford became the second rookie in franchise history to complete a cycle, following in the footsteps of Oddibe McDowell, who accomplished the feat back in 1985. Langford also joins an elite club of rookies in recent MLB history, as he is the first rookie to hit for the cycle since Elly De La Cruz did so on June 23 of the previous year.
A Historic Performance
The path to this achievement saw Langford hit against four different Orioles pitchers. The young star flew out in his first at-bat against Cole Irvin but then started his journey to the cycle with a triple off Irvin by the fourth inning. Next, he doubled against Nick Vespi in the fifth inning, followed by a single against Dillon Tate in the sixth. Langford capped off his exceptional performance with a home run off Matt Krook in the eighth inning, completing the cycle in dramatic fashion.
Langford has shown promise from the very beginning. The Rangers selected him with the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft, and he entered the season as the No. 4 prospect in baseball—an indication of the high expectations placed upon him. Despite initial struggles at the major league level, where he hit just .224/.295/.293 through his first 31 games, Langford's perseverance has shone through.
Overcoming Adversity
His journey has not been without obstacles. Langford suffered a hamstring strain, which landed him on the injured list on May 4. He made his return on May 28, and since then, he has shown significant improvement. In the 28 games following his return, Langford has batted .275/.333/.422 and has reduced his strikeouts to 18—a testament to his resilience and growth as a player.
The Texas Rangers, with a 38-46 record following Sunday's win, find themselves eight games out of a wild-card spot. However, with players like Langford stepping up and delivering standout performances, there is hope that the team can make a push in the latter half of the season.
R.J. Anderson's assessment of Langford reflects the confidence scouts have in his potential. "Scouts have felt confident giving him plus offensive projections even before he took a pro at-bat," Anderson noted. This endorsement is a strong indicator of the high ceiling Langford possesses and his potential to become a cornerstone player for the Rangers.
As the season progresses, Langford's development will be closely watched, not just by the Rangers' faithful but by the entire baseball community. His recent accomplishments have certainly set the stage for what could be an illustrious career, bringing hope and excitement to a franchise looking to build a winning future.