Texas Rangers Infielder Poised for 2024 Breakout

Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung accomplished at lot as a rookie in 2023 and there could be more to come this season.

The Texas Rangers are a team full of stars.

The reigning World Series champions have players known throughout the MLB universe, such as Max Scherzer, Corey Seager, Jacob deGrom and Corey Seager. Adolis García burst onto the national scene during the playoff run. The Rangers sent six All-Stars to Seattle last summer.

And there’s a rising crop of talent headlined by Josh Jung, Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford. Jung, currently nursing through a calf strain at spring training, already has an All-Star start under his belt. Carter burst onto the scene in September and Langford may do the same by Opening Day.

MLB.com recently identified 10 players who could be breakout stars in 2024 – five hitters and five pitchers. Jung made the hitting list.

The breakout criteria for the hitters:

• Seasonal age of 27 or younger in 2024
• Got 300-plus plate appearances in 2023
• Did not reach either a 120 OPS+ or 3 WAR

Here’s what MLB.com had to say about the Rangers third baseman:

Jung was an All-Star as a rookie last season, so that's pretty good by itself, but the full breakout is coming. It might have happened already if Jung's second half wasn't derailed by a broken thumb in August. But the 26-year-old's postseason run – Jung batted .308 with three homers and an .867 OPS for the World Series champs – should help convince you that the All-Star Jung who had 19 homers and a 126 OPS+ at the break is the real Jung. Especially when you see that he also hits the ball hard and in the launch angle sweet-spot more than most big league hitters while playing an excellent third base.

The Rangers open the season March 28 against the Chicago Cubs at Globe Life Field.

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