Josh Jung has hit a critical point in his Rangers career after spending three straight games on the bench. One day off can be explained as rest. Two days might be a reset. But three? That’s a message: change is required.
Manager Bruce Bochy framed it as a crossroads every player faces at some point. “You’ve got to find consistency,” Bochy said before Tuesday’s game against the Royals. “You can’t let the highs and lows run so deep. That’s what will be critical for him. He’s going to have a great career …” His voice trailed off, the silence underscoring the unspoken warning—unless he doesn’t.
This is no longer about Jung’s injuries. It’s about performance, and whether he can become more than a streaky hitter who too often folds with two strikes. That distinction could determine if he’s the Rangers’ long-term third baseman or just another name that passed through.
Jung’s leadership qualities and generosity are real, but leadership starts with production. For the first time in his pro career, he may have to accept that grit and stubbornness alone won’t fix his struggles. The best players know when to lean on help, when to adapt.
Asked about his mindset, Jung declined to open up: “Not gonna answer that question … I’m just going to do the best with my opportunities.” He admitted there have been philosophical differences but left it at that. Since a July stint in Triple-A, there have been some improvements in his swing decisions and on-base numbers, but the adjustments remain incomplete.
The truth is simple: he must stop chasing pitches outside the strike zone and cut down on his two-strike recklessness. He’s hitting .120 in those counts, with one of the worst OBPs in baseball in those situations. On Tuesday, when asked to pinch-hit, he chased early and rolled over for an out—an example of the very habits holding him back.
“Change is never easy,” Bochy said. “But it makes you a better player. If you’re not hitting 40-plus homers, you need to do the other things—make more contact, get more consistent.”
Jung will be back in the lineup Wednesday, and Bochy suggested he could start every game the rest of the way. But whether that holds depends on Jung himself. The message is clear: this is no longer about a slump or even a season. It’s about his career.
