Josh Jung One of Few Texas Rangers Without Opening Day Hit

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers had an offensive explosion on Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies on Opening Day.

That didn’t include third baseman Josh Jung. The Rangers’ No. 1 prospect went 0-for-3 in the Rangers’ 11-7 victory. He did score a run after drawing a walk in the fourth inning, part of the nine-run flood that turned the game around.

But he also struck out twice from the No. 5 spot in the order. That’s where Rangers manager Bruce Bochy slotted Jung on Thursday . He was comfortable with it going into the game, and it’s doubtful that one game will dissuade him from slotting Jung in that space again when the Rangers face Philadelphia on Saturday.

Bochy based his Opening Day order in part on Jung’s Spring Training. He batted .321 with three home runs and six RBI.

“What a spring he had,” Bochy said before Thursday’s game. “For the most part we had him in fifth. We like that five-hole. You just look at that swing. You know how well he’s been playing and that played a big part of it.”

Jung is coming off a 2022 in which he went from nearly missing the entire season due to a torn labrum to making his Major League debut in September. Jung ended up playing in 26 games and batted .204/.235/.418/.653 with four doubles, one triple, five home runs and 14 RBI. He walked four times and struck out 39 times.

Jung said back in Arizona that he was just happy to be healthy and to get through a full spring for the first time. It was a building block moment for him. He said one of his mottos was “leave no doubt” that he belongs at this level.

Bochy agreed.

“I don’t know if he needs help. Trust me,” Bochy said. “I watched him play this spring. Coming into Spring Training he probably put a little pressure on himself. But the way he played I could see that he was relaxed and that he had a sense of belonging that he should be here.”

Another Jung motto was “make defense boring.” The Rangers love his bat, but want his glove to improve. Jung spent nearly every day working with both infield coach Corey Ragsdale and third-base coach Tony Beasley on his approach.

That was on display in the fifth inning. Phillies hitter Nick Castellanos ripped a grounder to Jung’s left and he made the fielding play look easy. Unfortunately, the throw was just a bit short and a bit late to first baseman Nathaniel Lowe.

But those things will come along, Bochy believes. He already knows the key to making it happen.

“We just keep it simple with him,” Bochy said. “We’re not putting any added pressure on him. Really, I told him early in the spring that in our game hitting comes and goes, but the area where you need to be consistent is at third base. I’ve been very pleased with that.”

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