With the 2019 MLB Draft fast approaching, players and teams alike are ready for draft day. Teams will be looking to stock up their farm systems and possibly draft and develop the games next superstar. On the other hand, dreams will become a reality for these young prospects when their names are called. One of these prospects that teams could develop into a future star is infielder Josh Jung.
Josh Jung 2019 MLB Draft Profile
Jung comes into the draft as one of the best hitters in the 2019 class. Jung is currently a junior 3B/SS for the Texas Tech Raiders, and he is ranked as the 16th best prospect according to MLB.com. He comes into the draft with a solid frame at 6’2″ and weighing 215 pounds.
The young prospect is coming off an incredible sophomore season where he led the Raiders to the College World Series. During the 2018 campaign, Jung broke out and led his team in batting average (.392), hits (103), runs batted in (80) and triples (6). He also finished the season with an incredible on-base percentage of .491.
Strengths
One of the most important traits that Jung possesses is his controlled approach at the plate. This leads to Jung barreling balls to all parts of the field with his swift swing. Jung applied his approach at the plate in 2018, driving in runners from third base with less than two outs in 75% of his opportunities.
Another strength that Jung possesses is his plate vision. Jung manages the strike zone very well, which has resulted in 45 walks in 46 games — which ranks 17th in the nation with .98 walks-per-game.
Due to his ‘contact first’ approach, Jung has not been steady in home-runs in his career at the collegiate level. However, once Jung starts to turn on pitches and pull the ball more consistently, he should develop into a 25-30 home run third-baseman. His offense will be plenty sufficient for the hot corner when his raw power and solid frame are utilized.
Jung is considered by many scouts to have good instincts defensively as well as a strong arm. Jung was moved from third base to shortstop this season at Texas Tech but is still viewed by most as a third baseman.
His defensive skills and quick swing have been on display for scouts all season long.
Weaknesses
One of the few knocks on Jung’s game is his lack of speed. Despite nine career triples, Jung is not considered to be a threat on the base paths. As a result, Jung has only seven successful stolen bases in his collegiate career. However, given Jung’s position at the hot corner, a lack of speed shouldn’t alter where he is taken in the draft.
MLB Comparison
A good comparison for Jung is Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman, Colin Moran. Moran is a player that values a contact approach at the plate and limits strikeouts. Much like Jung, Moran also has reasonable control of the strike zone and can hit the ball to all areas of the field.
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