Josh Jung to AAA Round Rock

Texas Rangers infielder Josh Jung as been promoted from AA Frisco to AAA Round Rock, the team announced today.

Jung, 23, was the Rangers’ first round draft pick out of Texas Tech in 2019. He has generated a lot of positive buzz for a couple of years now, and coming into the 2021 season the thought was that Jung would be in position to claim the major league third base job at some point during the year.

Jung missed the start of the 2021 minor league season due to a foot fracture, however, and was out for the previous week and a half due to COVID-19 protocols before returning to action with Frisco last night. Were it not for the stint on the injured list with the fractured foot, there’s a good chance Jung would be in the majors by now, and were it not for being on the shelf due to the COVID-19 protocols, he may have been in Round Rock ten days ago.

Jung has slashed .308/.366/.544 in 186 plate appearances for Frisco this year, and has impressed with his professionalism and makeup as well. He has played exclusively third base and DH for Frisco, but has apparently worked at second base, and he could end up at either position once he gets to the majors. With six weeks to go in the season, if Jung holds his own in Round Rock, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him finish the season in Arlington.

Meanwhile, speaking of finishing the season in Arlington, Levi Weaver dropped a hint on Twitter that righthanded relief pitcher Nick Snyder may be getting called up today. Snyder has excelled in 2021, hitting 100 mph with his fastball to go with a nasty slider, and has moved from high-A to AAA over the course of the 2021 season.