3 Texas Rangers Prospects Most Likely to Emerge as September Call-Ups

3 Texas Rangers prospects that could be called up in September

#1 – Josh Jung (3B)

Third base is a position the Rangers have sorely lacked production from since the retirement of *literally* one of the best ever at the corner, Adrian Beltre. Jung soared through the minors after a glorified career at Texas Tech, raking at the plate and playing adequately enough on defense. He was projected by many to be the Opening Day third baseman in 2022, or at the very least be one of the first regular season call-ups. Then he tore the labrum in his shoulder early in the year and needed a summers’ worth of rehab.

Thankfully, it doesn’t look like he’s missed a step. As of August 14, he’s slashing .353/.421/.824 with two home runs, two walks, and 14 total bases in 19 plate appearances. Sure, that’s not much of a sample size to work with, but Jung has accumulated about a full Major League’s season’s worth of playing time through three years in the minors, and in 134 games (588 ABs), he’s registered 26 homers, 100 runs batted in, and a slash line of .319/.393/.550. He’s a slugger.

However, he’s a slugger who turns 25 in February, and it would be justifiable to say the clock is starting to tick to get him set up at the hot corner. There is no reason to start him out at Round Rock next year, and service time shouldn’t be much of an issue at this point given his age. He is one of the most, if not THE most Major League ready bat in the farm at the moment. Between Smith, Duran, and Culberson, there is enough shuffling around to be done to give Jung a taste of what the position demands at the pro level.

Once again, Texas has a severe need for stability at third base. The list of players Woodward has tried out at the corner since 2019 is staggering; Culberson, Holt, Gallo, Cabrera, Kiner-Falefa, Ibanez, Miller, Duran, Smith. There’s more, but you get the point. The Rangers require a third baseman, badly. The middle infield is locked up for a while and Nathaniel Lowe is a greatly productive hitter who can continue to improve defensively and round out the infield. Jung has enjoyed an accolade-laden career before even taking a professional at-bat. The Rangers have a massive stake in him as a centerpiece of the new era here, and it behooves both parties to give him some playing time in September.