Texas Rangers: 5 injury replacements who could fill in for Josh Jung

Texas Rangers: 5 Josh Jung injury replacements

2. Davis Wendzel

Don’t sleep on Davis Wendzel as someone who could stay in the mix for the third base job this year.

Wendzel has always had a knack for the bat, but he’s mostly blocked by other higher ceiling prospects at the positions he would play along the infield. Jung’s injury helps undo some of that logjam, though.

Much like IKF, Wendzel is versatile and offers a well-rounded skillset. He didn’t exactly show out last season in the minors, combining for a .745 OPS across three levels, but he’s polished enough that a big league debut could be imminent. And maybe sooner than we all expected given this injury situation.

If there was ever a chance for Wendzel to break through amidst the infield depth in the Texas Rangers organization, this feels like the one.

Texas Rangers: 5 Josh Jung injury replacements

3. Andy Ibanez

Ibanez was already a lock for the big league roster in 2022 given his strong hitting abilities, but now he could easily find himself thrusted into a starting infield job.

He isn’t exactly the most gifted defender, with a documented history of being iffy with the glove, but sometimes teams are willing to sacrifice defense for more offense. Or in the case of the 2021 Texas Rangers, just putting the best players out there as possible.

Ibanez proved he could hit in the big leagues last season when he was given his chance, finishing 2021 with a .756 OPS (.270 BA). He’s also listed as a third baseman, so that is his natural position. Again, that doesn’t mean he’s destined to stay there long-term, but he could definitely help patch a hole for a little while, especially if he keeps hitting at the clip he did last year.

Texas Rangers: 5 Josh Jung injury replacements

4. Sherten Apostel

Much like Davis Wendzel, Sherten Apostel is a promising prospect blocked by organizational depth at the infield positions. Apostel does have a cup of coffee with the Texas Rangers, though, which came during the shortened 2020 season. He hasn’t been back since, however.

Originally a third baseman, Apostel’s big frame has necessitated a move to first base, though he can still play third base given his athleticism. The organization has even tried him as a pitcher since his bat, while powerful, has yet to really come around as much as the Rangers would like. Still, he remains in the mix.

Apostel shouldn’t be viewed as a favorite in this situation by any stretch, but his experience playing third base and his previous big league stint should at least give him a shot to win a roster spot with Josh Jung’s injury.

Texas Rangers: 5 Josh Jung injury replacements

5. Justin Foscue

Are you intrigued?

Foscue, the Texas Rangers’ first round pick in 2020, shot up organizational prospect rankings last season after absolutely demolishing the minor leagues with his bat. First, it was High-A Hickory, where his power was on full display. Then, it was AA Frisco, where he cooled down from his torrid pace at Hickory, but still flashed those polished bat skills that made him a first rounder in 2020.

A second baseman by trade, Foscue did play third base in college, so he has experience at the position. Foscue also has more pop than Jung, but both do possess an offensive-minded approach to the game. At the very minimum, Foscue will get an invite to big league spring training when that happens, putting him in the conversation here, if nothing else. More than likely, however, he will be in the minors to start 2022.

There is a chance he could end up forcing his way up to Arlington sometime this season, though.