Florida outfielder Wyatt Langford has been selected by the Texas Rangers with the fourth pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, making the two time All-American the 18th first round pick in Florida baseball history.
Langford becomes the second highest draft pick in program history (2012: C Mike Zunino – Round 1, Pick 3 Seattle Mariners) and the highest drafted Gators’ outfielder, surpassing Sterlin Thompson who was selected 31st in 2022.
After just four at bats in his freshman year at Florida, Langford transformed his body, putting on plenty of muscle and speed during the offseason. Langford would then put together a historic career as a Florida Gator, launching 47 home runs in his final two seasons (6th on Florida’s all time HR list), joining Brad Wilkerson (1997-98) and Jud Fabian (2021-22) as the only Gators to hit 20+ home runs in back-to-back seasons.
Langford posted a .367 batting average in three seasons at Florida while combining for 120 RBIs. The Trenton, Florida native set the program’s record for career slugging percentage at .746, cementing himself as one of the best players to ever step on the diamond at UF.
“You could flip a coin between him and Dylan Crews,” Head Coach Kevin O’Sullivan said weeks before the draft. “That’s my honest opinion. I think they’re both tremendous players. They’re going to have great careers moving forward.”
WHAT THE RANGERS ARE GETTING IN LANGFORD
The Rangers are getting one of the best all-around offensive players in college baseball. Langford hits for average and power while displaying one of the best eyes at the plate. In three seasons at Florida, Langford walked (92) more times than he struck out (89).
It’s unclear where Langford will fit in defensively, but he looks the most comfortable in left field rather than center. Langford did not commit an error as a left fielder and totaled just one error in his career. Langford’s speed will not be an issue in the outfield either.
The 6-1, 220-pound outfielder has all the tools needed to succeed at the next level.
MLB Pipeline
“Langford has five-tool potential. He can really hit, with excellent swing mechanics and a very good approach at the plate, one that helped him limit strikeouts while drawing walks. It also aided in his ability to tap into his considerable raw power, which some area scouts said is plus-plus. Strong and muscle-bound, he’s capable of being at least an above-average runner as well. While he was a third baseman and a catcher in high school, Langford started every day in left field for the Gators in 2022. There was some thought he’d slide over to center field this year, and reports on him there last fall were very encouraging, but he ended up back in left once the 2023 season got underway. He plays hard and aggressively and it would surprise no one if he ended up in conversations for the No. 1 overall pick.”
Baseball America
“The 6-foot-1, 225-pound outfielder’s game is centered on his power and hitting ability. Scouts have given him 70-grade raw power evaluations, and his all-fields home run production and gaudy exit velocities back that up. Langford has a simple and direct swing from the right side, with few moving parts and a low handset and slight leg kick to get started. He has more than enough bat speed to handle velocity—he produced a 1.725 OPS vs. 92-plus mph pitches in a 238-pitch sample—and generally stays within the strike zone, though he occasionally shows a tendency to leak with his lower half out on outer third breaking balls… One of the most accomplished offensive players in the class, Langford should go off the board among the first five picks.”
CAREER ACCOLADES
2023 Second Team All-American (Collegiate Baseball)
2023 Golden Spikes Award Semifinalist
2023 First Team All-SEC
1x 2022 First Team All-American (D1Baseball)
4x 2022 Second Team All-American (Baseball America, NCBWA, Perfect Game, ABCA/Rawlings)
2022 Southeast-ABCA/Rawlings First Team All-Region
2022 USA Collegiate National Team Member
2022 USA Today First Team All-SEC
2022 Second Team All-SEC
2022 SEC All-Tournament Team
2022 SEC Academic Honor Roll
2021 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll