Wyatt Langford is absolutely tearing it up for the Texas Rangers right now, putting up a ridiculous 1.079 OPS since June 12. This dude is a menace at the plate, and he is a big reason why the Rangers are clinging to the top spot in the American League West even while sitting at a .500 record at 51-51 as of Thursday. The former Florida slugger, picked fourth overall in the 2023 MLB Draft, has always shown flashes, but he has picked up the pace in a huge way lately, becoming a key factor for Texas as July winds down.
From Slump to Slugger: What Changed?
It is crazy to think about, but Langford actually started the 2026 season pretty slow. His first 26 games were a real struggle: a paltry .214 batting average, only two home runs, and just five RBIs. His on-base percentage was sitting at .257, slugging at .350, for a dismal .606 OPS. His wRC+ during that stretch? A rough 67. But since June 12, it’s like a different player stepped onto the field. In his last 24 games, Langford is slashing an absurd .354/.402/.677 with that eye-popping 1.079 OPS. He has blasted nine home runs and driven in 22 RBIs, while his wRC+ has skyrocketed to an unbelievable 200. That kind of turnaround? That is the stuff legends are made of.
Injuries Can’t Stop This Kid
What makes Langford’s hot streak even more impressive is that he has been battling through some serious injury woes this season. He spent time on the injured list from April 22 to June 5 with forearm tightness. Then, he was back on the IL from June 28 to July 9 with a strained hamstring, an injury that literally cut his current hot streak in half. But even with those setbacks, he has clearly found his rhythm. In 50 games played this summer, Langford has career highs in batting average (.282), slugging percentage (.510), and OPS (.839), along with a robust .329 on-base percentage. His current wRC+ of 133 is also a career best, topping his previous seasons’ marks of 111 and 118.
Langford is only 24 years old, and if he can keep trending in this direction, the AL West better watch out. The kid is clearly finding his groove, pushing hard through the summer doldrums, and he could be the difference-maker keeping the Rangers in first place.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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