The annual MLB Pipeline Top 100 Prospects list is out. The Rangers have four players on the list. In fact, they have two of the top six players: outfielders Evan Carter at number five and Wyatt Langford at number six. Shorstop Sabastian Wolcott comes in at 71, and right-handed pitcher Brock Porter is 88.
Luisangel Acuña, who the Rangers dealt to the Mets in the Max Scherzer deal, is 66
Carter, of course, has already made a huge impact in the major leagues. In 75 regular season plate appearances in 23 games, he hit .301 with an elite .431 on-base percentage, and an even more elite 1.058 OPS. His OPS+ was 182.
If there’s anything a little bit concerning with Carter, it’s his splits. Against right-handed pitching, Carter hit .365 with a .469 on-base percentage. Against lefties, he was 0-10, with a few walks and an .091 on-base.
Wyatt Langford burst onto the list, and the scene, having been drafted less than eight months ago. He hit at the University of Florida, and continued hitting at A-ball, Double-A, and Triple-A. In fact, here is what MLB Pipeline says about Langford:
“Undrafted as a Trenton (Fla.) HS third baseman in 2020, Langford got just four at-bats as a Florida freshman before destroying college pitching the next two seasons. He topped the Southeastern Conference with 26 homers in 2022 and led NCAA Division I with 28 doubles and 52 extra-base hits in ’23, hitting .373/.498/.784 last spring while helping the Gators reach the College World Series finals. Signed for a Rangers-record $8 million as the No. 4 overall pick, he continued to rake in his pro debut, slashing .360/.480/.677 with 10 homers and 12 steals in 44 games while reaching Triple-A.
A complete package at the plate, Langford stands out most with his plus-plus power to all fields, which he generates with an easy right-handed stroke that lets him launch balls in the air. By letting his massive strength, electric bat speed and natural loft work for him without swinging for the fences, he makes consistent loud contact and projects as a .280 hitter with 35 or more homers per season. He makes sound swing decisions and controls the strike zone, walking more than he struck out during his college career and his first taste of pro ball.
Though he’s a good athlete with solid to plus speed, Langford spent most of his college days and his first pro summer in left field. While there’s some thought that he could handle center field, Texas has more capable defenders at that position in Leody Taveras and Evan Carter. With fringy to average arm strength, Langford likely will remain in left and should make his presence felt in the big leagues at some point in 2024.”
Sabastian Wolcott is just seventeen and he’s already turning heads. He has enormous power, but with that, a high strikeout rate. But, again, he’s only 17 and has plenty of time to improve.
Brock Porter led his high school team to three state championships in Michigan in three years. The twenty-year-old has a monster fastball and changeup combination. He didn’t get above A-level in his only minor league season.
Here’s the complete list of prospects.
Hopefully, Carter and Langford will be in the Rangers outfield for years to come, and help Texas win another World Series or two. Or three. Or four.