MVP potential for Langford? Texas' new manager certainly thinks so

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Skip Schumaker doesn’t like player comps.

He won’t give you one for Wyatt Langford. But what he will say is that Langford has MVP potential in him. It might not happen this year or next. But it’s in there.

“I've said this before, the best players never settle,” Schumaker said of the Rangers’ outfielder. “They're always trying to evolve. I think that Wyatt is trying to figure out how he can become the best he can. He doesn't talk about All-Stars or MVPs or anything like that. I think his focus is on trying to establish himself as one of the leaders in the clubhouse, and also trying to get us back into the playoffs.”

In his age-23 season last year, Langford slashed .241/.344/.431 with a team-leading 22 home runs and 22 stolen bases. He also notched one triple, 25 doubles and 62 RBIs in 134 games during his second Major League season. He became the youngest Ranger to record a 20-home run, 20-stolen base campaign.

Langford very well may be the Rangers’ second best hitter behind Corey Seager. On top of that, Langford can be a leader for a club trying to will its way back to the postseason.

“He does all the things the right way,” Schumaker said. “He's everything that you want in a player. He's just starting to become and figure out who he is as a big leaguer, and that version is already really good. I think the sky's the limit for this kid. I think the world of Wyatt, and I absolutely think he can be the face of the franchise. But I’m also not putting the pressure on him to be that. It can just happen organically.”

Langford still hasn’t hit his ceiling, that much is obvious. The jump he made from year 1 to year 2 is the best illustration of that.

2024 (134 games):

• .253/.325/.415
• .740 OPS
• 115 OPS+
• 3.9 bWAR

2025 (134 games):

• .241/.344/.431
• .775 OPS
• 127 OPS+
• 5.6 bWAR

So what does Langford need to do in order to improve?

“I would love to strike out less, hit for a higher average and hit more home runs,” Langford said with a laugh. “Pretty much do everything better. But definitely strike out less. I feel like I'm better than a .240 hitter or whatever I hit last year.”

That being said, the first step to getting better is health.

Langford had three separate oblique-related IL stints last season: first from April 9-20, again from June 27-July 5 and then finally from Sept. 24-28, to end the season. A big key to his continued development will be getting that cleaned up.

“I did way more like rotational stuff, like med ball type throws and rotational lifts, versus last year,” Langford said. “I just had a better idea of what I was doing. Last year I felt like I didn't really know what I was doing as far as offseason training and stuff. So I felt like I had a better idea this year. That is just one of the things where you learn every year what's good for you and what's bad.”

Above all else, Schumaker praises Langford’s level of care, both on and off the field. He cares about defense and baserunning and hitting. He also cares about the community, the fan base and the organization as a whole.

He’s just 24, but he’s making his mark and preparing to take the next step in 2026.

“I think his focus and his mindset is in the right spot, because when he's worrying about that, the numbers will come,” Schumaker said. “As far as the next step, again, I think he's one of the leaders in the clubhouse. Travis Jankowski is going to be really good for him. Acquiring a guy like Brandon [Nimmo] is going to be really good for his preparation. I think you'll see him play more games, stay healthier. That is the hope. If he's posting, then the numbers will be there.”