The end decision of what’s best for Josh and the organisation has come to an end with a bold move by the Texas Rangers: Demote struggling Josh Jung sent to Triple-A, as the Rangers reinstate Jake Burger.
Manager Bochy’s Statement
“We’re hoping to kind of reset, reboot, whatever you want to call it.” Bochy added, “When a guy gets a little lost at the plate– he’s got things to work on. It’s tough to do it here. We want him to go down in a situation where maybe it’s a little bit more relaxed and he can work on some things, whether it’s mechanics or on the mental side, and get right when he gets right, he’s going to make us a better club.”
Jung as a Cornerstone of the Organisation
Jung, during his rookie season in 2023, was named an All-Star starter en route to the club’s first World Series Championship. Jung has long been seen as a cornerstone of the organisation. He’s gone through several injuries in his professional career, but he has raked whenever he’s been on the field.
It’s a sharp contrast to Jung’s previous work. After 2019 first-round Draft pick (No. 8 overall). He got a fuller opportunity in 2023 and emulated, hitting.266/ .315/ .467 in 122 games. He then hit .308/ .329/ .583 in 17 postseason games, helping the Rangers win their first title in franchise history. Jung made the American League All-Star team in 2023.
Rangers Option Josh Jung
The Texas Rangers reinstated first baseman Jake Burger from the 10-day IL before Wednesday night’s series finale against the visiting Baltimore Orioles. Rangers sent struggling third baseman Josh Jung to Triple-A Round Rock.
The first time in his career Jung has been optioned to the minors. Since June started, he has performed an awful .158/ .208/ .221 slash line in 101 plate appearance. Earliest Jung hit .280/ .316/ .453 in April and .265/ .318/ .431 in May but the performance highlights what a tough time Jung has been having of late.
The lack of performance was not naturally not lost on Jung himself. “I haven’t been very good,” he stated on Monday, per Grant. “It’s been the worst[month] ever. I’m just trying to stay in my routine and make adjustments. It’s a daily grind, daily battle, but I’m doing everything I can. It’s frustrating. It’s hard, but this game isn’t easy. It’s just me versus me right now.”
Early in June, Bochy gave Jung 3days of a “mental break” during a series against the Royals, hoping that would be enough to get him right. Also, the same process worked with Adolis Garía, who was hitting .208/ ..256/ .371 before his own mental break at the end of May and has been hitting .278/ .318/ .443 ever since.
Another player, Ezequiel Durán played third last night and is in there again tonight. He’s been even worse than Jung, but then Rangers are probably hoping that Jung can quickly find his form and retake the job. For Jung personally, the length of this rehab assignment could impact him professionally. he came into this year with two years and 27 days of service time. By my count, he has added 97 days so far this year, bringing him to 2.124. That’s 48 days shy of the three-year mark.
If he’s recalled by the middle of August, he could still get over the three-year line before the off-season. If not, then his path to free agency could be pushed by a year. As of now, he may have enough service time to qualify for arbitration as a Super Two player, depending on where this year’s cutoff ultimately falls. Any service time he could add later in the year would increase his chances of qualifying for the job.
“I think it’s fair to say he’s been going through some struggles here,” manager Bochy said. “The best thing right now for Josh and this club is to let him get some at-bats with Round Rock, get his game back, his confidence back. We need him.”
Overall, Jung has hit .237 this season, with a .648 OPS, eight home runs, one triple, 10 doubles and 35 RBIS in 75 games for Texas. He started 72 games at third base and one as the designated hitter.
“I think it’s a great time for him to get away and just have some time in a situation where, like I said, it’s a little bit more relaxed for him to be able to work on things,” Bochy stated.”It’s hard to try to make adjustments against major League pitching when you get an offensive rut there where you’re just not seeing the ball as well as you should.”
He also said that Jung took the news well, despite being disappointed that it had to happen at all.