Rangers' Jung has debut to remember
It's the first of what Josh Jung hopes will be many successful steps as he begins his professional career, but what a step it was.Texas' top pick in last month's Draft homered in his first Minor League at-bat and went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs scored to lead
It's the first of what Josh Jung hopes will be many successful steps as he begins his professional career, but what a step it was.
Texas' top pick in last month's Draft homered in his first Minor League at-bat and went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs scored to lead the Rookie-level Arizona League Rangers past the Dodgers Mota, 16-5, on Wednesday night at Surprise Stadium.
Drafted eighth overall out of Texas Tech, Jung agreed to terms with the Rangers on July 3 for a $4.4 million signing bonus. The co-Big 12 Conference Player of the Year batted .343/.474/.636 with 39 extra-base hits and 58 RBIs in 64 games for the Red Raiders, who won their third conference title in four years and reached the College World Series. In his three-year collegiate career, the San Antonio native drove in 181 runs in 191 games.
Gameday box score
Batting third and playing third base, Jung wasted no time displaying the prodigious power that produced 33 homers at Texas Tech. The 21-year-old turned a first-inning, 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead with a blast over the left-field fence in the bottom of the frame.
Jung added to the Rangers' lead with an RBI single to center in the second and scored on
Jung didn't hold back his excitement after being drafted by the Rangers, who took a collegiate position player with their first pick for the first time since selecting Justin Smoak in 2008.
"Just being drafted in general is a dream come true," Jung told MLB.com at the Draft. "Getting to play college ball and being good enough to be drafted in the first round is pretty special. Also, [being drafted] by the Rangers and staying in Texas, that's pretty special. We are really excited."
That excitement was shared by his new employers, who love the offensive potential the 6-foot-2, 215-pounder brings.
"Very excited," Rangers scouting director Kip Fagg told MLB.com. "Very good hitter, very good defender, very good kid. We are very excited to get Josh. ... For me, I have always been on Josh. Seen him for a few years now, and has always been an exciting player for me and the guys in our group.
"I think you see the history of some college hitters, that are hitters first and they get to the big leagues and they have power. That's what we see with Josh."
Rehabbing left-hander
Starter
Michael Avallone is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @MavalloneMiLB.