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2024 Spring Training preview: Texas Rangers third base

Just like the other infield positions for the Texas Rangers, third base is locked down by a solid player. Let's take a look back at 2023 and do a little predicting on what 2024 might hold at the hot corner.

By West Jones |
Oct 8, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (6) throws to second
Oct 8, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (6) throws to second / Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
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The Texas Rangers have had several solid third basemen over the course of the franchise's history. That includes one that will be in the Hall of Fame this year. Josh Jung got to join this group of historic third basemen at the end of 2022 and in earnest last year on a fulltime basis. Names like Beltre, Bell, Harrah, Buechele, Palmer, Blalock, and even Young have been on the Rangers scorecards in the number five position over the last several decades.

With the soon to be Hall of Famer, Beltre, having played so recently at the position, there is a high expectation and desire from fans to have similar results. That is simply not realistic, even though the current state of third base in Arlington is one that is looking good. In fact, third base has become a position across the league that has super star talent playing it for many teams.

One thing that Jung has that none of those other players got while playing for the Rangers, is a World Series ring. Jung played outstanding during the postseason run and proved that he can handle the biggest of stages. In the 17 playoff games this past season, Jung slashed .308/.329/.538, hit four doubles, one triple, three home runs, scored 13 runs, and drove in eight runs. Those are some fantastic postseason numbers. Let's now take a gander at how third base looked for the Rangers during the 2023 regular season.

Next: A look back at 2023 from the hot corner

A recap of the 2023 season for the third basemen

Jung played in most of the games for the Rangers at third base in 2023 and would have played in even more if he hadn't broken his thumb on August 6th. A line drive caught his left thumb just wrong and broke it. He would be out of the lineup until September 18th. That stretch of games that Jung missed, included some of the worst baseball that the Rangers played all season. The team withstood injuries to Corey Seager and Jacob deGrom better than they did loosing Jung. Perhaps it was just the last straw in a long list of injuries that the team had to face in 2023. It did highlight what a pivotal role that the young third baseman plays within the Rangers lineup.

Grade for Josh Jung 2023 season: B

Offensively, Jung slashed .266/.315/.467, scored 75 runs, drove in 70 runs, hit 25 doubles, 23 home runs, and had a 109 OPS+ in 122 games played. Those are all solid numbers for anyone, much less a rookie. Because of his hot start to the 2023 season, he was selected to the All-Star game and got the start at third base for the American League. He also finished fourth in the AL Rookie of the Year race and would have easily finished in the top two if he hadn't been hurt and missed so much time late in the season.

Jung's defense was a bit surprising. There was no doubt that he was going to be a good fielder, but he exceeded just about everyone's expectations. There were no plays that he couldn't, and didn't, make in the field and his arm was spot on all season. Sometimes third basemen can get a little wild on their throws, but not Jung. He threw bullet after bullet to Nathaniel Lowe last year and never weakened. The grade of B might could have been a bit higher, but even though Jung had a great season, there is plenty of upside for him to mature from a really good player, into a phenomenal one.

Backup third basemen grade: C

The main two guys that got playing time at third base when Jung was either resting, or out with injury, was Josh Smith and Ezequiel Duran. Both of these guys are good young players but overall, the Rangers played terrible baseball when Jung was out. Their worst stretch as a team came when he was out with his injury. Hopefully in the future the backups will play better, but more than anything, Jung's absence at the end of the season highlighted how crucial he is to make the Rangers team run well.

Next: What to expect in 2024 from Jung and company

2024 Spring Training preview - third base

With Jung heading into his second full season at third base for the Rangers, Bruce Bochy and company have to be excited about having that position locked down. While third base was Jung's from the beginning last season, there were still several question marks going into the 2023 campaign. However, this year the only real questions are if Jung can stay healthy and how good he can really be.

Plate discipline is an area that Jung needs to improve upon this year. Many of his strikeouts came when he would chase fastballs up or more often than not, off speed pitches that were down and away. Ironically, those two outcomes that led to many strikeouts were a direct result of Jung not wanting to strikeout. Nobody expects Jung to be able to have the same plate discipline as youngster Evan Carter, but if he can improve in this area, it will make him even more of an offensive force within the Rangers stacked lineup.

The Rangers defense was phenomenal last season, and I would expect more of the same this year. Jung proved that he is not only good at the plate but can handle the defensive side of things as well. Playing third base can be a real challenge, as there are rockets hit at you, dribblers that have to be charged, diving plays that have to made, and extremely long throws across the diamond. Jung will continue to do all of those things with ease as he matures into a great third baseman.

At this point, the two backups are again Smith and Duran. This could change if there is a trade between now and the beginning of the season, but for now those are our guys. Just like Jung, they are young and will continue to mature and build themselves into quality big leaguers. Smith is the superior defender, while Duran is better with the bat although he can be a bit of a streaky hitter.

All in all the Rangers are in excellent shape at third base. With Jung leading the way, the Rangers are set to give the fans another entertaining summer of baseball.

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