Rangers Rookie Josh Jung 2023 Mantra: 'Leave No Doubt'

Josh Jung is eager to prove that he's not only one of the game's best prospects but ready to contribute now for the Texas Rangers.

Josh Jung is healthy. He’s expected to be the Texas Rangers Opening Day third baseman. He could be a candidate for American League Rookie of the Year.

The former first-round pick has a mantra this spring, one that sums up the frustration of last season and the hope of this season.

“Leave no doubt,” Jung said. “To myself, to anybody else. Just go out there and play the best baseball I can.”

Jung was in this spot last spring. The Rangers were hoping he would play his way into a role as the team’s starting third baseman after being taken in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of Texas Tech.

He had already bounced back from a stress fracture in his foot that cost him the start of his 2021 minor-league season. But before Jung could even get on the field and make his case, he tore the labrum in his left shoulder and needed surgery.

The Rangers — and Jung — would have to wait longer. So far, this spring is a big change from the last two.

“I made it through the first couple of days without getting hurt,” Jung said with a smile. “That’s a big win for me.”

So was how Jung’s shoulder responded after surgery. He admitted last season he was despondent after the injury, assuming that he wouldn’t play at all in 2022. But his shoulder responded faster to rehabilitation than he or the Rangers anticipated.

By July he was ready to take at-bats with the Rangers’ Arizona Complex League team. By August, the Rangers were encouraged enough to send him to Triple-A Round Rock where he ended the 2021 season.

Jung lit it up at Round Rock. In 31 minor-league games Jung batted .266/.326/.540/.866 with 19 runs, seven doubles, nine home runs and 29 RBI.

By early September the Rangers really had no choice. Texas called him up on Sept. 9 and he homered in his first Major League at-bat, making him the second Rangers player to ever do that. His fielding was solid and, even though his average in a month was barely over .200, the Rangers were encouraged by what they saw.

Jung played in 26 games for the Rangers and batted .204/.235/.418/.653 with four doubles, one triple, five home runs and 14 RBI.

He’s considered a power hitter, but some might be surprised by his approach in batting practice this Spring Training.

“I start off with a two-strike approach the first round, just trying to barrel the baseball,” Jung said. “Then, after that, I’m just trying to hit the ball in the right spot. Basically the same part of the barrel and just trying to drive it to center. That’s what I’m trying to do the whole time.”

Well, sure. But he does try to end with a flourish.

“I mean, that last swing I try to hit it as far as I can,” Jung said with a laugh.

Jung also loves the fact that most of the early-season publicity for Rookie of the Year is focused on Baltimore infielder Gunnar Henderson, who like Jung made his MLB debut late last season.

“Oh I love it,” Jung said. “You use it. You use it as some sort of inner fire within yourself. Go out and just prove them wrong.”

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