One of the key players in the Texas Rangers’ 2023 World Series win has now been sent down to the minors in hopes of rediscovering a swing that’s been missing since 2024. In an unfortunate twist, third baseman Josh Jung is finally healthy—but now he can’t hit. Prior to Wednesday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles at Globe Life Field, the Rangers announced Jung had been optioned to Triple-A Round Rock. It was the team’s last home game before a 10-game road trip and the All-Star break. Their next home game isn’t until July 18—perhaps by then, Jung will have rediscovered the form that made him a star at Texas Tech, a top-10 pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, and a major contributor to the franchise’s first championship.
Josh Jung: From Star to Struggle
If you watched the Rangers’ championship run in 2023, seeing Jung demoted in July 2025 ranks alongside the struggles of stars like Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, and Adolis García. Jung isn’t the only slumping hitter, but he had minor league options remaining—so the Rangers’ GM Chris Young used one in hopes of jumpstarting something. It’s not a surprising move, but it’s still disappointing. Jung is now 27 and in his fourth MLB season. This wasn’t supposed to be part of the script.
“He’s been going through a rough patch these last three or four weeks,” manager Bruce Bochy said before the game. “Right now, the best thing for him and for the team is to get some at-bats in Round Rock, regain his timing and confidence. We need him.”
Entering this season, the only real question surrounding Jung was whether he could stay healthy—his talent with the bat and glove was never in doubt. So far, he’s been on the field more consistently than ever, appearing in 75 games—the second-most in his MLB career. Unfortunately, “games played” has been his most notable stat.
When he first debuted in 2022, some worried about a swing that looked too long. But by 2023, those concerns had faded. He earned an All-Star nod, hit 23 home runs, 25 doubles, and played Gold Glove-level defense. In the postseason, he shined with a .308 batting average and .538 slugging percentage. But injuries cut his 2024 season to just 46 games, and this year he simply hasn’t looked like the same player. He seems mentally stuck, overthinking at the plate, like many others in the lineup.
What’s Next for Jung
Watching Jung this season has been painful—not because of past expectations, but because he’s a hard-working, committed pro. He’s not like someone coasting on a paycheck, like Anthony Rendon of the Angels often appears to be.
“He’s clearly not seeing the ball well, and he’s chasing more than we’ve ever seen,” Bochy added. “It’s hard to fix that up here, so hopefully in a more relaxed environment, he can work on both the mechanical and mental side of things. If he gets right, he makes us a much better team.”
The Rangers made a similar move in May with designated hitter Jake Burger, who was slumping badly. He spent a brief stint in the minors, regained his form, and returned stronger. That’s the bare minimum hope for Jung. But the Rangers need even more from him. They can’t contend if their third baseman is hitting .145 and batting ninth.