Josh Jung

Josh Jung's Biography

Joshua Ryne Jung, also known as Josh Jung, was born on February 12, 1998 in San Antonio, Texas. As a prominent figure in Major League Baseball (MLB), he has made a considerable contribution to the sport as a professional third baseman for the Texas Rangers. He started his baseball journey at a young age, fostering his passion at Douglas MacArthur High School where he played both baseball and football, and then honed his fundamental skills while attending and playing for Texas Tech University.

Despite not being drafted after high school in the 2016 MLB draft, Jung’s journey didn’t falter. Instead, he enrolled at Texas Tech University to play college baseball for the Red Raiders. Outstanding success soon followed; in his freshman year in 2017, Jung left a considerable impression on the diamond. Playing all 62 games at third base, he achieved a striking .306 batting average, six home runs, and 43 RBIs. His exceptional performance earned him the Big 12 Freshman of the Year title along with Freshman All-American recognition by various reputable platforms such as Collegiate Baseball and Perfect Game/Rawlings.

Jung spent the subsequent summer playing league baseball in the sunny climes of California with the California Collegiate League, displaying immense prowess in the sport. Over 117 at-bats, he achieved a .368 batting average with two home runs and 31 RBIs, culminating in a .454 on-base percentage.

Carrying this momentum into his sophomore year in 2018, he started all 65 games and recorded an impressive record of .392/.491/.639 with 12 home runs and 80 RBIs. This impressive play resulted in him being named onto the All-Big 12 First Team and acclaimed as an All-American by Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball. His reputation as a high-performing athlete was solidified when he was named to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team the same summer.

Entering his junior year, several renowned platforms declared Jung a preseason All-American, reflecting high expectations for his performance. Though also marred by a quadricep strain that ended his streak of 139 consecutive starts, this season held significant achievements for the rising star. After his recovery, he made a positional change to shortstop and subsequently was bestowed the 2019 Big 12 Co-Player of the Year title for his exemplary performance.

Despite his accolades, Jung remained humble and focused on his craft. In addition to his team success, he was also a recipient of the 2019 Bobby Bragan Collegiate Slugger Award. This prestigious accolade exists to honor top Division I players across Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Despite an earlier setback, his diligence and passion ensured an incredible season finish, with a .343/.474/.636 hitting record, 15 home runs, and 58 RBIs over 64 games.

With his outstanding performance, numerous accolades, and a reputation for hard work and sportsmanship, Jung was considered one of the top prospects for the 2019 MLB draft. His perseverance bore fruit when the Texas Rangers drafted him in the first round, with the eighth overall pick. Upon signing with the Rangers for a $4.4 million signing bonus, he hit a home run in his very first professional at-bat while playing for the Arizona League Rangers in the Rookie-level Arizona League. His performance earned him a promotion to the Class A South Atlantic League to play for the Hickory Crawdads.

The 2020 season brought disappointment as its minor league games were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, truncating what had been a promising trajectory. However, in June 2021, Jung returned to the field and was assigned to the Frisco RoughRiders of the Double-A Central after recovering from a foot surgery. Later, he was promoted to the Round Rock Express of the Triple-A West – a testament to his indomitable spirit and exceptional talent. His success continued into the 2022 season where he underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder before making a triumphant return to the diamond for the Arizona Complex League Rangers. His rise certainly did not stop there as he was soon promoted to the major leagues by the Rangers. Marking his MLB debut by hitting a home run, he was catapulted to stardom, and his name forever etched in the annals of Rangers’ history.

Jung’s achievements did not stop there. He was voted in as the American League’s starting third baseman for the 2023 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, becoming the first rookie to achieve this feat as a Texas Ranger. He also helped lead the Rangers to a triumphant World Series victory that same season. Despite enduring a setback when he suffered a fractured wrist after being hit by a pitch, Jung made a strong comeback. He was activated from the injured list and returned to play professionally in July 2024.

Proving his commitment to excellence even off the field, Jung is known for his strong Christian faith and closeness with his family, particularly his parents, Jeff and Mary – both of whom also have a background in sports as physical education teachers. Jung is not the only one in his family with a baseball lineage. His younger brother, Jace, has also showcased his prowess in baseball, even becoming a first-round draft pick in 2022. With an impressive record, on and off the field, Joshua Ryne Jung’s journey from San Antonio to the professional baseball diamond is nothing short of inspiring.