Rangers’ top prospect Josh Jung will undergo surgery to repair a stress fracture in his foot, per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (via Twitter). The injury likely puts Jung on the shelf for six to eight weeks. A generalized timetable projects his return to come a couple of weeks into the minor league season.
Jung, 23, is the 63rd-ranked prospect in baseball per MLB.com. The Rangers took Jung with the eighth overall pick out of Texas Tech in the 2019 draft. Jung departed the Red Raiders as one of the best position players in school history.
Though he is not on the Rangers’ 40-man roster, he was invited to Major League camp. Generally speaking, he’s believed to be closer to the Majors than one might assume, given that his last game action took place in Single-A during his first professional season. Though the Rangers like what they’ve seen from Jung, he was not going to be on the opening day roster, despite their need at the position. Rougned Odor is set for significant playing time at the hot corner this season, while Sherten Apostel, 22, stands as the most obvious roadblock to Jung’s long-term future at the position. Apostel is likely to find his way back to the Majors at some point this season after debuting in 2020.
It’s an unfortunate setback for the Rangers’ consensus top prospect, but the Rangers hope it turns out to be a minor one. Per Grant, President of Baseball Ops Jon Daniels said, “That opportunity, as far as Josh is concerned, I don’t think has moved back a whole lot. Once he goes out and gets rolling and is productive, if he’s knocking the door down and performing at a level that we feel like he’s ready for the next challenge, we’ll respond.”
Jung was likely to begin the 2021 season at Triple-A, though Texas could decide to start him him in Double-A, given the injury. In the long term, the Rangers are hopeful that Jung will establish himself as the third baseman of the future at Globe Life Field in Arlington.
So, Jung plays 3b?
MOTHER FUCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
Was my exact thought as well. I have read they’re giving Rougned time at 3rd. Guess this gives Odor more time to hit and miss while playing 3rd.
Look at the silver lining: the Rangers aren’t competing this year, and this will slow down his ascension to the majors and buy more service time when they will (hopefully) be competing.
“Wasn’t going to be on the roster” stop yer crying
Rangers29 there’s children that visit this site!
Moderators can remove it if they deem necessary.
It was an acronym. It means:
Fans
Understand
Carma’s
Cruel
Cruel
Cruel
Cruel
Cruel
Cruel
Cruel
Cruel
Cruel
Cruel
Cruel
Cruel
Cruel
Cruel
Cruel
Cruel
Cruel
Cruel
Cruel
Cruel
Cruel
Cruel
Cruel
Cruel
And yes, it’s Karma with C.
Thanks KarenMcGriff.
It’s insane how pathetic the Rangers drafting has been. Jung is a rare gem for them. Get well.
I can’t remember if it was Baseball America or MLB Pipeline talking about it, but they were saying the Rangers have been drafting terrible for over a decade now. But they’ve had solid to amazing IFA signings to keep them afloat.
Even Jung has a lot of question marks. His lack of power so far in his professional career (small sample size) doesn’t bode well for a corner only profile defensively. I do think a decent amount of power will show up, even if he is more of a Brian Anderson type flirting with 20 or so HRs. He will just need to have great OBP to be a cornerstone player.
Boy that’s the truth. I can’t wait to see him playing full time at third though
“If Jung spent more time working on his launch angle , and less time worrying about a collective unconscious and anima/animus stuff, he’d be a better prospect.”
Floyd Sigmund, Rangers beat writer, Baseball America
Shadow work > Tee work
I follow the Rangers like my life depends on it, and I swear I have never heard of this guy before. I’ll take the advice of literally every other Rangers’ beat writer, and say that Jung is making great progress in developing power and becoming a better prospect.
Rangers29, you should read more.
A stress fracture in the foot that requires surgery is no laughing matter, even at age 23. These are the types of injuries that can become chronic if it doesn’t heal properly. He needs to take a much time off as needed to let it fully heal. Let’s hope he does that and we see him called up later in the year!
In other news, Steve Cohen has named Chris Christie to the Mets Board of Directors.
I understand he’ll have a large seat at the table.
Do the Rangers have any interest in Andujar to play 3rd base? Let’s make a deal.
No, they have Odor. As funny (sad) as that may sound, he has actually been – not good – but terrific defensively in ST. He’ll hold down the fort just fine till Jung comes up in July.
Yes he will. It’s a shame cause I like Odor
I think the Rangers will be better this year than is being predicted. I for one enjoy seeing all these young guys start to make waves on the roster. Can’t wait for Jung
Hate to disagree, but I sincerely doubt Odor will “hold down the fort just fine”. I hope he proves me wrong, but I don’t want a 3rd baseman batting .225 – been down this road with Odor too many times.
He’s only batted above .225 once in the last three years. Last year he batted in the .160’s. Odor is pathetic and I’m with you that he doesn’t deserve to be wearing a major league uniform. I’d go so far as saying he’s one of the worst three players in the majors. But if he bats .225 that’d be a borderline miraculous accomplishment for him
At least he is overpaid!!