The Texas Rangers will be without Josh Jung, who suffered a right wrist fracture in Monday night’s game. The club will replace the injured third baseman with Justin Foscue, their 2020 first-round draft pick. Foscue will take the roster spot of Jung, who’s headed to the injured list. It’ll be Foscue’s major league debut when he first takes the field against the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Texas Rangers are calling up top prospect Justin Foscue, sources tell ESPN. Foscue, 25, was a first-round pick in 2020 and can play first, second and third base. He’ll fill the roster spot of Josh Jung, whose right wrist was broken when a pitch hit it Monday.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 2, 2024
Rangers Promote Justin Foscue
Foscue is a bat-first player with a hit-over-power skill set. His outstanding bat-to-ball skills have been in play in the past two seasons. In the upper minors, Foscue slashed .288/.367/483 in 460 Double-A plate appearances in 2022 and .266/.394/.468 in 563 Triple-A appearances last year. He only struck out in 14.3 percent of those Double-A appearances, which was better in 2023 at 12.4 percent. That season, he only drew walks at a remarkable 15.1 percent.
Foscue Drew Buster Posey Comparisons
After successful seasons in the minors, Foscue turned heads at Rangers spring training. The Rangers offensive coordinator Donnie Ecker compared the 25-year-old to three-time World Series champion Buster Posey.
“Any player that walks more than they strike out, it’s a timeless principle that’s gonna really help him at the Major League level,” said Ecker. “He’s already got that foundation that we really like, and then you add in his contact ability. His demeanour in the cage is very much the way Buster Posey was. He was very quiet, very detailed, very internalized, and it’s just a trait that you see with a lot of the best hitters. I like his hitting IQ. His IQ and game plan are Major League ready right now.”
Foscue doesn’t have the plus-power that’s seen from bat-first prospect. However, he hit 15 home runs in 2022 and 18 last year. He compiled 31 doubles in each of the past two seasons and has chipped in five triples along the way. The main focus with Foscue is his defense.
Foscue’s Ability on Defense
Foscue appeared at second base (70 games), third base (35 games), designated hitter, and first base (nine games at each position) with Round Rock in 2023. In camp this spring, he spent most of his time playing at the corner. He’s not regarded as a strong defender at any of those positions. Baseball America ranked him as the No. 4 prospect going into the season. They praised his offensive game but added that Foscue “does not have the range, mobility or arm strength to stick up the middle of third base.”
If so, Foscue could serve as a platoon for Nathenial Lowe at first base and maybe as a part-time designated hitter. With Lowe on the shelf, he could complement Jared Walsh against left-handed pitchers.
The Crowded Texas Infield
The infield for the Rangers features a healthy Jung, Lowe, Marcus Semien, and Corey Seager, who are all established at their positions. Ezequiel Duran could see time at third base in Jung’s absence. Duran and Foscue are right-handed hitters, so a platoon there might be ruled out of the picture. There’s a strong chance that Foscue could go back to Triple-A if he struggles during his time up in the majors. If he hits and his play is consistent, he could make the case to be the club’s regular DH.
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