Sport

Texas Rangers Demote Slumping Josh Jung: A Desperate Move for a Third Baseman in Crisis

2025-07-02

Author: Wei

The Rangers' Bold Decision

In a striking move to revive the struggling third baseman Josh Jung, the Texas Rangers have opted to send him down to Triple-A Round Rock. This decision comes after multiple attempts to help him regain his form, including a mental reset.

Jung's Troubling Numbers

Since the beginning of June, Jung has been in a downward spiral, slashing a dismal .158/.208/.221 with the lowest slugging percentage and OPS among major league players. His performance has plummeted, ranking him in the bottom 10 across all 191 MLB qualifiers during this timeframe.

Manager's Frustration

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy expressed his frustrations, stating, "He keeps working, but I don’t know what else to tell you. It’s a performance-based game. We’ve got to find a way to score runs and we have options to give a guy a break." This underscores the urgent need for improvement.

A Swinging Problem

Jung has struggled significantly with high, inside fastballs, swinging at an alarming rate of 53.6% this season. In June alone, this number spiked to 59.3%, making it increasingly difficult for him to make contact. His recent series against Seattle highlighted these issues, where he went 2 for 15 and left key runs stranded.

Jung's Reflection and Resolve

Acknowledging his struggles, Jung reflected, "I haven’t been very good. It’s been the worst month ever. I’m just trying to stay in my routine and make adjustments. It’s a daily grind, daily battle, but I’m doing everything I can." His determination suggests he is ready to face this challenge head-on.

The Road Ahead

As Jung heads to the minors, the Rangers are hopeful this reset will help him regain his confidence and improve his batting. The journey back to the majors will be tough, but with his talent and work ethic, fans will be eager to see how he responds to this pivotal moment in his career.