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Three rising stars for the Texas Rangers
With spring training underway, each team is filled with hope for a World Series title and fresh faces are ready to make a name for themselves in the majors. After winning their first World Series title in 2023, the Texas Rangers will look to make another postseason run in 2024.
Here are three rising stars looking to make an impact for the Rangers in 2024.
Evan Carter, outfielder
2023 MLB stats: .306/.413/.645, five home runs, 12 RBI and three stolen bases in 23 games played
Called up to the Texas Rangers in early September last season, outfielder Evan Carter became one of the sparkplugs that helped the team win their first World Series in franchise history.
Entering 2024 primed to be an everyday outfielder for the defending champs, the 21-year-old is a player to watch who could receive serious consideration for the American League Rookie of the Year award after what he showed in 2023.
After slashing .288/.413/.450 with 36 extra-base hits, 67 RBI and 23 stolen bases in 108 games played across three minor league levels, he was even better on the biggest stage.
THIS KID IS UNREAL.
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 16, 2023
WHAT A CATCH BY EVAN CARTER
: FOX pic.twitter.com/RmnNSwejyH
If he wasn't making big plays in the outfield, he was giving opposing pitchers trouble at the plate.
He posted a .300/.417/.500 slash line with ten extra-base hits and six RBI in 17 postseason games during the Rangers playoff run.
Look for Carter to become a household name in 2024.
Josh Jung, third base
2023 MLB stats: .266/.315/.467, 23 home runs and 70 RBI in 122 games played
An All-Star in his rookie season in 2023, Rangers third baseman Josh Jung was having a big year before a fracture to his left thumb sustained in August put him on the shelf for about a month.
While he struggled after his return, he was able to get things figured out as he headed into the postseason and returned to his pre-injury form.
Slashing .308/.329/.538 with three home runs and eight RBI in 17 postseason games for the Rangers, he shined on MLB's biggest stage and looks like a cornerstone player the team can build around for the future.
Players with two doubles and a triple in a single postseason game:
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) October 4, 2023
2023 - Josh Jung, Rangers
2021 - Yordan Alvarez, Astros
2008 - Carl Crawford, Rays
1990 - Billy Hatcher, Reds
1982 - Dane Iorg, Cardinals
1976 - Pete Rose, Reds pic.twitter.com/UrUbfuzcGm
Selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, the Texas-born 26-year-old who played his college ball at Texas Tech could very well end his career in his home state if he keeps up this production.
Wyatt Langford, outfielder
2023 MILB stats: .360/.480/.677, 10 home runs, 30 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 44 games played
Entering the 2023 college season as the best all-around hitter, outfielder Wyatt Langford fell to the Rangers with the fourth pick in the 2023 MLB Draft and in a short time in the minors proved he could end up being a steal for the defending champs.
Playing in only 44 games after being drafted, Langford put up eye-popping numbers with a .360 batting average, 1.157 OPS and 29 extra-base hits in 161 at-bats across four minor league levels.
Wyatt Langford continues to mash Double-A pitching
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 17, 2023
The No. 4 pick in the 2023 Draft (@Rangers) is now slashing .432/.542/.838 for @RidersBaseball after this solo dinger: pic.twitter.com/Gezk9mG6ec
Entering 2024, the 22-year-old has a real chance to make his MLB debut this season and could force the Rangers to make room for his bat if he continues to mash like he did in 2023.
Langford has superstar written all over him and by joining the Rangers lineup he could put up huge numbers to begin his career.
More must-reads:
- The greatest postseason moment for every MLB team
- Wild Clayton Kershaw stat continues in Coors Field master class
- The 'Final at-bat from the World Series' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Yankees' continued defensive meltdowns hurt them again against Red Sox
The New York Yankees can hit the baseball out of the ballpark as well as any team in the major leagues, and that will always give them a chance to win any game. They also field the baseball as poorly as any team in the major leagues, and that can cost them games. The latter issue was on display once again on Thursday night in a 6-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox to kick off an absolutely massive four-game series in the American League wild-card race. Not only did the Yankees lose to allow Boston to keep gaining ground in the standings, but they also kind of gave it away in the field. The issues started in the top of the second inning when the Yankees made three errors, including a throwing error from catcher Ben Rice to bring in Boston's first run. The fielding miscues continued in the top of the ninth when first baseman Paul Goldschmidt committed the Yankees' fourth error of the game, allowing the inning to extend for Roman Anthony to come to bat. He used that at-bat to pretty much put the game out of reach with an absolute moonshot of a home run. These fundamental errors and mistakes were a problem for the Yankees a year ago, and they remain a problem now. They are also not going away anytime soon, and they keep showing in big moments — and in big games. Until they figure out a way to get that changed — and it might be too late for this roster to do so — they are going to have some big concerns going into October. Hitting home runs is great. But not consistently making routine mistakes and giving good teams extra outs is the type of thing that not even home runs can always overcome. Overall, the Yankees are a very good team. Until they clean up these mistakes, they won't be a great team.
Steelers have major injury concern leaving preseason
The No. 1 priority for NFL teams in the preseason is to get out of the games without major injury. The Pittsburgh Steelers may have failed with that one on Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers. Defensive lineman Derrick Harmon, the team's first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, had to be carted to the locker room with a knee injury while also looking visibly upset as he was taken back. The team announced almost immediately that he would be out for the remainder of the game with a knee injury. Head coach Mike Tomlin provided an update after the game: Defensive line was a top priority for the Steelers this offseason, especially after their playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens where they allowed nearly 300 rushing yards to end their season. Along with Harmon, they also selected Iowa's Yahya Black in this year's class to help try to beef up their line. Harmon is expected to play a major role in this year's defense and was already in a starting position. With star defensive lineman Cameron Heyward holding in as he tries to get a new contract from the team, that puts even more importance on Harmon's ability to make an impact. He has had a strong training camp, and after a quiet first preseason game, he really took a big leap forward in the team's second game, recording a sack against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If Heyward returns, and if Harmon's injury is not serious, the Steelers would have the potential to have a really strong defensive line with those two joining rising star Keeanu Benton. Right now, though, those are a lot of "ifs," especially as it relates to the availability for Heyward and Harmon for the team's season opener.
Commanders' Jayden Daniels expands on prediction for Terry McLaurin contract standoff
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels raised eyebrows when he said during Monday's preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals that he knew unsettled wide receiver Terry McLaurin would "be coming through the door soon." During the latest edition of The Athletic's "Scoop City" podcast, Daniels spoke with NFL insider Dianna Russini about the ongoing contract standoff between McLaurin and the Commanders. "Hundred percent, I feel great (about the situation)," Daniels said about his confidence that he'll have McLaurin as a teammate when Washington opens the season against the New York Giants on Sept. 7. McLaurin remains in the final year of his current deal and requested a trade on July 31 amid his desire for an extension. On Monday, ESPN's Ben Solak revealed that he could not "find anyone who believes wide receiver Terry McLaurin will play for another team in 2025" during a visit to the Commanders during training camp. Furthermore, a Thursday report shared that McLaurin is not among the players who could be made available to would-be buyers before the summer comes to an end. "I just know that it is all gonna work out, that both sides will come to an agreement, and Terry’s gonna be back out here. We’re gonna be throwing some passes to him," Daniels added. Daniels' comments don't erase the fact that, as of Friday morning, there was no indication that McLaurin and the Commanders were close to an agreement. On Wednesday, it was reported that "one person with knowledge of McLaurin’s contract negotiations" said the 29-year-old "has asked for more than" the average annual value attached to the five-year, $150M contract that the Pittsburgh Steelers gave DK Metcalf earlier this year. On Friday, DraftKings Sportsbook continued to list the Commanders tied for sixth (with the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers) among the betting favorites at +2000 odds to win Super Bowl LX in February 2026, hence why Washington is in no rush to trade Daniels' favorite target for a future draft asset. Additionally, it appears Daniels understands McLaurin wouldn't forfeit money by sitting regular-season games out if he doesn't have an extension in hand by Week 1.
Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Sends Massive Message To Fans About WR Scotty Miller
The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2025 season is getting super close to kick off. The Steelers finished up their preseason with a game Thursday night at Bank of America Stadium against the Carolina Panthers. The Steelers wrapped up the preseason with a 2-1 record. One wide receiver who many pundits believe has turned into a lock to make the 53-man roster is Scotty Miller. The 28-year-old wide receiver has impressed not only the Steelers' coaching staff, but also quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Miller came up big for Tom Brady in the playoffs before, and now he will have a chance to do the same with Rodgers. During the second half, Rodgers spoke to the media in an interview with Missi Matthews, where he shared just how impressed he’s been with Miller. Rodgers praised Miller’s ability to separate from defenders and highlighted how reliable he’s been throughout camp and preseason action. For a veteran quarterback who has worked with countless receivers over the years, Rodgers’ words carried weight, and his endorsement of Miller was another strong sign that the wideout has carved out an important role on this Steelers roster. Rodgers also took time to point out the speed across the Steelers’ wide receiver group, mentioning DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, and Roman Wilson as players who can stretch the field. "Scotty can fly," Rodgers said during the preseason game on Thursday night. "Straight up, fly. That is what I noticed when I was throwing with the boys out there. I mean DK obviously has incredible speed, but Scotty and Roman and Calvin can fly." The combination of veteran playmakers like Miller and Metcalf, paired with the youth and explosiveness of Austin and Wilson, gives the Steelers a unique mix of weapons heading into the regular season. For Rodgers, having a dependable target like Miller in critical moments could prove to be a difference-maker, especially as Pittsburgh prepares for a highly competitive AFC North battle in 2025. To hear Rodgers call the Steelers’ wide receiver room a strength because of its speed is thrilling for fans who have endured years of offensive struggles. Pittsburgh’s attack has been hard to watch in recent seasons, and even an above-average unit would feel like a major step forward. Many believe Rodgers is set up for a special season in black and gold, but it won’t come without challenges. Players like Miller will need to rise above their reputations and deliver when it matters most. Steelers' Scotty Miller May Have Greater Role Than Expected In 2025 Rodgers has made it clear that he believes in Miller’s speed and playmaking ability, and the veteran receiver has backed that confidence up with a strong training camp and an impressive preseason. At this point, it feels safe to say that Miller has locked down a roster spot and could play a bigger role than many anticipated. His reliability and explosiveness give Rodgers a trustworthy option, especially in pressure situations. Fans have already seen Miller shine in the spotlight before, most memorably when he made big playoff catches for Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In the 2024 NFL season, he finished with just five receptions for 69 yards, but the budding connection with Rodgers could open the door for far greater opportunities in 2025. If Miller can carry his preseason momentum into the regular season, he may become one of the under-the-radar contributors who helps elevate Pittsburgh’s offense to the next level. How do you feel after hearing Rodgers talk so highly about Miller and the wide receiver room?
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