It took three months, but the Texas Rangers have finally celebrated their first cycle of the 2024 MLB season, thanks to rookie sensation Wyatt Langford.
In a commanding display against the Baltimore Orioles, Langford achieved the 11th cycle in the history of the Rangers franchise. The remarkable feat came in an 11-2 victory, marking the first cycle by a Rangers player since Carlos Gómez accomplished the rare milestone in 2017.
Langford Joins Elite Company
Notably, Wyatt Langford is only the second rookie in the franchise's history to hit for the cycle. The first to do so was Oddibe McDowell, a feat he achieved back in 1985. Moreover, Langford is the first rookie to complete a cycle since Elly De La Cruz of the Cincinnati Reds did so last year on June 23.
Langford’s cycle was an exceptional showcase of his all-around hitting skills, involving four different Orioles pitchers. His journey began with a flyout in his first at-bat against Cole Irvin, but he followed up with a triple off Irvin in the fourth inning. He continued with a double against Nick Vespi in the fifth inning, a single against Dillon Tate in the sixth, and capped off his historic performance with a home run off Matt Krook in the eighth inning.
From Struggles to Success
Selected with the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft, Langford entered the season as the No. 4 prospect in baseball. Despite his high prospect status, Langford initially experienced significant struggles at the major league level, recording a .224/.295/.293 slash line through his first 31 games. His early struggles were compounded by a hamstring strain that placed him on the injured list on May 4, delaying his progress.
Langford made his return on May 28 and has since found his footing. In the 28 games following his return, he batted a more respectable .275/.333/.422 while accumulating 18 strikeouts. His recent performances indicate that he may be turning a corner and starting to adapt to the demands of Major League Baseball, fulfilling the potential that scouts saw in him.
Rangers' Standing and Future Prospects
With Sunday’s triumph, the Texas Rangers now hold a 38-46 record. Though still eight games out of a wild-card spot, Langford's recent form and the team’s overall performance spell hope for the near future. As R.J. Anderson succinctly put it, "Scouts have felt confident giving him plus offensive projections even before he took a pro at-bat."
Langford’s cycle is a significant milestone for both him and the franchise. It provides a morale boost to a team that has faced considerable challenges this season. While much work remains for the Rangers if they aim to claw their way back into playoff contention, Langford’s accomplishment is a bright spot in what has been a difficult year.
The young rookie might just be what the Rangers need to rejuvenate their season. His escalating performance, coupled with the historical context of his achievement, undoubtedly sets a high bar for what can be expected moving forward.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Wyatt Langford to see if he can continue his upward trajectory and help propel the Rangers to a better standing. The first cycle of the 2024 season is a promising indicator that Langford is more than capable of rising to the occasion.