The Rangers select Josh Jung with the 8th overall pick

The Texas Rangers selected Texas native Josh Jung with the 8th overall pick of the 2019 draft.

Josh Jung, 21, stands at 6’2 and 215 LBS according to Texas Techs roster. He is a 3rd baseman and bats from the right side of the plate.

Jung becomes the first College level player that the Rangers select with their first round pick since 2008.

This year, in 209 at-bats his batting average was .335 with an on-base percentage of .474. His slugging percentage was .603 making his OPS 1.077. He hit 11 home runs and drove in 53.

In 2018, he was even better. His batting average was .392 with an on base percentage of .491. Jung’s slugging percentage was .639 and his OPS was 1.130 in 263 at bats. He hit 12 home runs and had 80 RBI.

I’m no scout and I’ve never seen Jung play in person but most of what I have seen is positive. He played shortstop this year with Texas Tech but it’s been reported that the Rangers view him as their future 3rd baseman. That doesn’t mean he won’t switch or play other positions. I am on board with the Rangers selecting Josh Jung though I am surprised they didn’t select a pitcher.

He’s reportedly got good arm strength which is needed for the position and has a good presence and awareness at the plate. That seems to be clear based on his numbers he has posted the last two years.

Could Josh Jung start off in Spokane?

The Texas Rangers selected Texas Tech third baseman Josh Jung with the 8th overall pick in tonight’s #MLBDraft. Will we see him in a Spokane Indians jersey this summer?

? @TexasTechBB | #WreckEm pic.twitter.com/bKkYflOpj8

? Spokane Indians (@spokaneindians) June 4, 2019

Josh Jung had a good performance in the Fall Instructional League in 2020 which was created for the missed MLB season. Josh Jung is in line to make his Major League debut for the Rangers in 2021.