ARLINGTON -- “Volatile” is the word of the day. Well not today specifically, but it’s the word Rangers third baseman Josh Jung uses to describe last season. “It was very up and down -- volatile -- last year,” Jung said. “Mentally, I was a little more volatile.” Jung is far from the first player to try to shake things up when things aren’t going his way. And 2025 definitely didn’t go his way. It was a tumultuous season in which he played a career-high 131 games, but slashed .251/.294/.390 with 14 home runs and 61 RBIs, all full-season career lows if you exclude his 26-game cup of coffee in September 2022. And despite being the healthiest season of Jung’s career, it also included an option back to Triple-A Round Rock in July for the first time since his MLB debut. “You chase results, definitely,” Jung said. “Especially when you're like, 0-for-50, you're going to start chasing results. There are still at-bats every night that I wish I could have back and do things differently or not swing at a certain pitch. But that's the nature of the beast, and being able to see that in-game and move on to the next at-bat is big.” |
Jung is as self-aware as they come. He knew major things needed to change in order for him to return to All-Star form. That meant way less volatility. His schedule and routine have transformed into something more structured to facilitate success in all areas. “You know exactly where I'm gonna be at all times of the day,” he said. “It's just being disciplined with that daily stuff. The plan was volatile last year. Now, I’m just trying to stick to what I'm doing, and if I need to make little adjustments, I'm not stuck on having to do it a certain way. But also, I'm not going to come in tomorrow and just completely 180 everything, just because I didn't have success in one game.” Whatever he’s doing is working. In 23 games (22 starts) in April, Jung is hitting .388/.457/.675 with four home runs, 11 doubles and 15 RBIs. He’s just one double shy of matching the club record for the most in a single April (12), a mark currently held by Rusty Greer (1999 and 2001), Ivan Rodriguez (1996 and ‘98) and Michael Young (2011). He currently leads all qualified hitters this month in average and on-base percentage and is is tied for second in doubles, while also ranking highly in OPS (third), extra-base hits (tied for third with 15), slugging (fourth) and total bases (eighth, 54). |
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“It feels good,” Jung said. “It feels like things are going my way. I'm trying to ride the wave as long as I can with my daily disciplines. I’m being as consistent as possible to try and get my performance to be consistent, being intentional with everything. Just be consistent with everything I do. When it comes to preparation, just having a plan to stick to with no panic, and if we need to adjust in a game or the next day, we do it.” New Rangers manager Skip Schumaker took the job with the intent of Jung becoming a feared hitter again. Jung himself was intentional this offseason about finding ways to impact the baseball again, tweaking various mechanical aspects of his swing to drive the ball to all fields. Though the year got off to a slow start -- 0-for-his-first-17 -- he looks like he’s done just that. He’s whiffing less (17.4% compared to 25.4% in 2025) and hitting the ball harder (53.2% hard-hit rate compared to 46.7% in ‘25). |
“I'm not sure where we'd be without Josh right now,” Schumaker said. “With Wyatt [Langford] hurt and a couple guys off to some slower starts, Josh has provided big hit after big hit. Gosh, he's done so much on the offensive side, and he's been making great plays defensively. He works so dang hard. All our guys do. That's why I get so excited when they produce during the game, because they work their asses off and they deserve big moments like this. JJ is definitely deserving of what he's been doing this month.” In short, Jung looks like the best version of himself again. And a healthy and dominant Josh Jung will undoubtedly do wonders for the Rangers. “His offense obviously has been unbelievable,” Schumaker repeated. “JJ doesn't take a day off at third base taking ground balls. He works his tail off. JJ owns his position. Some guys, they hit so well, or they go on these streaks, and they take the defense off a little bit because they feel good about themselves. JJ has not done that. It's a pleasure to watch him work.” |
MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
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• Two years ago, the Astros selected Oregon outfielder Bryce Boettcher in the 13th round of the 2024 MLB Draft. This past weekend, the Indianapolis Colts selected Boettcher, also a linebacker for the Ducks, with their fourth-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft. • Many teams in the last few years have begun calling pitches from the dugout, instead of directly through the catchers. Mariners catcher and 2025 AL MVP runner-up Cal Raleigh is against the practice. • Angels starter José Soriano has been the best starting pitcher in baseball early this season with a historic showing through his first six starts. What’s behind it? • The A’s bullpen dominated in a series win over the Rangers last weekend. Joel Kuhnel has been a big part of the group’s success. |
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