Langford dazzles on defense with HR robbery, OF assist

ARLINGTON -- Wyatt Langford drifted back toward the left-field wall at Globe Life Field.

The ball off the bat of Padres infielder Ha-Seong Kim flew through the air as it was almost sure to fall just in front of the first row of seats in left field. But Langford leapt at the wall to bring it back, robbing Kim of a home run and saving Rangers starting pitcher Max Scherzer from allowing two early runs.

Langford said postgame that robbing a home run is a bit more fun than hitting one.

“I mean, he hit it pretty high, and that corner is pretty deep, so it's a little tricky,” Langford explained. “I just got back there in time to get a good jump on it. I knew I had it [when I came down].

Known more for his power and hit tool, Langford showed off all his defensive capabilities and drove in the Rangers’ only run in a 3-1 loss on Thursday afternoon.

Just two innings after he robbed that home run, he showed off his arm after fielding a single through the left side of the infield from David Peralta. Donovan Solano -- who had previously reached via an RBI double off Scherzer -- took off trying to score from second.

Langford promptly delivered a perfect throw to catcher Andrew Knizner, nabbing Solano at the plate to keep it a one-run game at the time.

“I got to come in really good on it, got a good jump,” Langford said. “Knizner made a good play, just staying in there and putting the tag on.”

Langford is one of 12 MLB rookies with multiple outfield assists this year. Fellow Rangers rookie Evan Carter has three of his own. Of those assists, Langford's 91.2 mph arm strength on the throw is tied for 10th.

The rookie was the Rangers’ Opening Day designated hitter due to a crowded outfield, but he began getting more reps in left when Carter landed on the injured list with a back sprain. Langford played catcher and the infield for the majority of his amateur career, before transitioning to the outfield during his sophomore season at the University of Florida.

That move has worked out better than anybody ever expected.

“I feel like I keep getting better every day,” Langford said. “[Not DHing] definitely helps with playing the outfield.”

The American League Rookie of the Month for June, Langford has recently hit his stride and looked like the player the Rangers always expected him to be after a slow start to the season. Over his past 15 games, Langford is hitting .352/.435/.648 with three home runs and 15 RBIs.

In the sixth inning, he got the Rangers on the board with an RBI single, scoring Corey Seager.

But the defense has been a pleasant surprise for many.

“It’s awesome,” Scherzer added. “Especially when Wyatt goes out there and catches it to rob the homer like that, the way he did it. It pumps everybody up, and you want to continue to make plays. They’re making great plays out there.

“Defensively, we're doing some good things. That's encouraging to see great defense. It doesn't matter what team you're on, you’re always hitting kind of ebbs and flows throughout the season. When you play great defense, it always gives your team a chance to win.”

According to Statcast, Langford has a negative-one arm value and would have one out above average if he qualified. According to Fangrpahs, he’s got one defensive run saved in left field. But the Rangers believe he’s been much better than the advanced analytics show.

“I don't know how he’s rated to tell you the truth there,” manager Bruce Bochy said of Langford’s defense. “ But he’s got good speed, good arm strength, it's accurate. It's only gotten better too. He was doing a lot of DHing there earlier, but now that he's getting everyday duty in left field, I think he's shown what he can do, and eventually, he is going to be a really good, a great all-around player. It’s only gonna get better with him.”