What a difference a year can make.
From starting at third base in the World Series to riding the bus in the minors, Josh Jung's journey has hit an unexpected detour. The 27-year-old Texas Rangers infielder—once hailed as a future franchise cornerstone—has been optioned to Triple-A Round Rock in hopes of rediscovering the swing that made him a household name in Arlington.
Let’s not sugarcoat it. This move stings.
🚨 Jung’s Sudden Slide: From All-Star to All-Concern
When the Rangers announced before Wednesday night’s matchup against the Baltimore Orioles that Jung was being sent down, the reaction wasn't surprise—it was disappointment.
Not because Jung didn’t earn it. He did. His recent numbers paint a pretty grim picture: a batting average so cold, it could chill your summer drink, and an approach at the plate that screams desperation more than confidence.
But this isn’t just any player we’re talking about. This is Josh Freakin' Jung—Texas Tech legend, 8th overall pick in the 2019 draft, Gold Glove-caliber third baseman, and one of the faces of the Rangers’ 2023 World Series run.
Now, in a brutal twist of baseball irony, he's healthy for once—but simply can’t hit.
📉 Numbers Don't Lie… But They Hurt
Here’s the hard truth: Jung has played 75 games this season—more than in any year other than 2023—and yet the most impressive part of his stat line is just that: he’s played.
Forget home runs. Forget RBIs. Forget slugging percentage. The guy’s best stat right now is his durability, and that’s a sad indictment of where things are.
And it gets worse.
Ezequiel Duran, who replaced Jung at third on Wednesday, is batting a measly .145. That’s not a typo. That’s reality. And that .145 average earned him a spot ninth in the batting order.
If your third baseman is a nine-hole hitter, your team’s in trouble.
⚠️ Warning Signs Were Flashing
Go back to 2022. Jung’s big-league debut raised some eyebrows—his swing was a bit too long, a bit too loopy. But in 2023, he shut everyone up. He shortened his approach, crushed 23 homers, slapped 25 doubles, made the All-Star team, and hit a scorching .308 in the postseason with a .538 slugging percentage. He was a star in the making.
Even injuries last year—though frustrating—didn’t derail his reputation. This guy was the real deal. At least until 2025 rolled around.
Now, every at-bat looks like a battle. Not against the pitcher, but with himself.
🎙️ Manager Speaks: Bochy’s Honest Take
“He’s been going through some struggles,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said pregame. “Three, four weeks now. It’s fair to say he’s a little lost at the plate. He’s expanding more than we’ve ever seen. He’s not seeing the ball like he usually does.”
Translation: he’s a mess at the plate.
Bochy didn’t stop there.
“We want him to go down where he can relax a bit. Work on his mechanics. Work on the mental side. If he gets right, he’ll make us a better club.”
You hear that? If he gets right.
That’s a big “if” for a player who should be in his prime, not pressing the reset button.
🔄 History Repeats? Remember Jake Burger?
The Rangers are no strangers to this move. Earlier this season, they demoted designated hitter Jake Burger after he got off to a nightmare start.
He spent seven games and 30 plate appearances in the minors. Smashed it. Came back swinging.
Since his return, Burger hasn’t been an MVP, but he’s been better.
That’s the low bar the Rangers are hoping Jung can clear. But let’s be honest—they don’t want Jung to come back just better. They need him to be Josh Jung again—the guy who laced doubles down the line and flashed leather like a future Gold Glover.
Burger’s bounce back was good. Jung’s needs to be game-changing.
💔 The Emotional Toll: Jung Deserves Better
For those who know Jung—his work ethic, his attitude, his respect for the game—this demotion hurts on a different level.
This isn’t Anthony Rendon, phoning it in for a paycheck. Jung cares. He works. He’s invested. He wants to be great.
And sometimes that makes the struggle even worse.
You can see it in his face every time he strikes out. Every time he walks back to the dugout with his bat dragging behind him like a heavy burden. The guy is 10 miles deep into his own head, and it’s tough to watch.
📆 What’s Next: Can He Fix It by July 18?
The Rangers play their next home game on July 18 after a 10-game road swing and the All-Star break. That gives Jung a couple of weeks to figure things out in Round Rock.
Can he fix his timing? His confidence? His vision at the plate?
Maybe.
Baseball’s funny like that. A small adjustment, a couple of bombs in Triple-A, and suddenly it’s like 2023 all over again.
But if not? If this is the version of Josh Jung the Rangers get back?
They may be in for a long second half of the season.
🧠 Final Thoughts: A Wake-Up Call for Everyone
If you watched the Rangers during their 2023 title run, seeing Jung in Triple-A right now feels surreal—like watching a hero get benched in the middle of a movie.
But maybe it’s necessary.
Baseball is brutal. Even the most talented players can lose their edge, lose their confidence, lose their place.
The Rangers’ World Series hopes might not hinge entirely on Josh Jung, but let’s be real—they’re a whole lot dimmer without the guy who helped them get there in the first place.
He’s not done. Not yet.
But it’s up to Josh Jung now to remind Texas—and himself—why he once belonged at the heart of their championship core.
📝 Quick Hits Recap:
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Josh Jung demoted to Triple-A Round Rock amid offensive struggles.
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Replacement Ezequiel Duran is hitting just .145—raising major concerns.
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Jung was key to the Rangers' 2023 World Series title run.
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Bochy: “He’s a little lost at the plate… He needs a reset.”
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Rangers hoping for a rebound, similar to Jake Burger’s earlier this season.
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Next home game: July 18—can Jung turn things around by then?
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