MiLB Report: Josh Jung Continues to Deliver at the Plate

The No. 8 overall pick in 2019, Josh Jung started his pro career with massive expectations at the plate — and he’s managed to deliver. A potential anchor of future Texas Rangers lineups, Jung is a major reason the Rangers system has been so good in recent years.

Read about Jung and four other prospects in this week’s MiLB Report.

Jeremiah Jackson, SS/2B, Los Angeles Angels (57th overall pick in 2018)

Height: 6’0 | Weight: 165 | Age: 21

Season stats: .277/.358/.906; 10 HR

Last week’s stats: .400/.571/1.305; 3 SB

MLB comparison: Manny Machado

Scouting Report: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

Cards To Watch: 2018 Bowman Chrome Autograph | 2018 Bowman Chrome

Jackson provides one of the best power bats at the shortstop position in the minor leagues. In 2019, he hit 23 home runs in just 65 games. He’s been limited to just 50 games in 2021, and was ramping up before his injury after a slow start. Jackson seems to be picking right back up since being back on the field. 

Luis Matos, OF, San Francisco Giants (21st overall pick in 2020)

Height: 5’11 | Weight: 160 | Age: 19

Season stats: .313/.358/.853; 15 HR 

Last week’s stats: .458/.552/1.427; 2 HR 

MLB comparison: Ronald Acuna Jr.

Scouting Report: Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55

Cards To Watch: 2020 Bowman Chrome Autograph 

Matos is one of the few elite hitters left in Low-A. He dominated in the Dominican summer league in 2019, and has proven he can do the same in the states. Matos has a small frame but provides plus power and has excellent bat speed. He’s jumped up the prospect boards in 2021, and I expect this trend to continue in 2022.  

Nick Loftin, SS/LF/2B, Kansas City Royals (32nd overall pick in 2020)

Height: 6’1 | Weight: 185 | Age: 22

Season stats: .289/.373/.837; 10 HR 

Last week’s stats: .444/.524/1.190; 1 HR

MLB comparison: Robin Yount

Scouting Report: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

Cards To Watch: 2020 Bowman Chrome Autograph | 2020 Bowman Chrome | 2020 Bowman Chrome Sapphire

Nick Loftin is the former 1st-round pick in 2020 — which felt like a reach — and had a college bat that didn’t really provide much power. In 2021, Loftin has proven that he belongs. He brings a little bit of everything to his game (hitting, speed, good defense) and has even hit 10 home runs in his first professional season. 

Xavier Edwards, 2B/SS/3B, Tampa Bay Rays (38th overall pick in 2018)

Height: 5’10 | Weight: 175 | Age: 22

Season stats: .302/.377/.744 

Last week’s stats: .474/.524/1.103 

MLB comparison: Nick Madrigal

Scouting Report: Hit: 60 | Power: 30 | Run: 70 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55

Cards To Watch: 2020 Bowman Chrome Autograph | 2020 Bowman Chrome | 2020 Bowman Chrome Sapphire

Edwards can flat out hit. It feels like I compare him to Nick Madrigal almost weekly — two players who do not have power, but are just extremely hard outs. In over 247 professional games, Edwards has a career batting average of .320. Oh yeah, did I mention that he is extremely fast too? He is a threat to steal anytime he gets on base. The Rays’ future is bright and Xavier Edwards looks like their future leadoff hitter. 

Josh Jung, 3B, Texas Rangers (8th overall pick in 2019)

Height: 6’2 | Weight: 214 | Age: 23

Season stats: .317/.385/.959; 16 HR

Last week’s stats: .423/.464/1.272; 2 HR

MLB comparison: Adrian Beltre

Scouting Report: Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55

Cards To Watch: 2019 Bowman Chrome Autograph | 2019 Bowman Chrome | 2019 Bowman Chrome Sapphire 

Josh Jung is the future 3-hole hitter for the Texas Rangers. He dominated his final two seasons at Texas Tech and hasn’t slowed down yet. Over Jung’s first 112 professional games, he has combined to slash .317/.386/.909. He was drafted as an elite hitter and has delivered. Jung possesses elite bat-to-ball skills and can spray it out of the park to all fields. This Rangers farm system has become very strong since 2019 and Jung is a big reason why.

Ryan R. covers minor league baseball prospects for Sports Card Investor and writes a weekly MiLB Report column. Follow his other content on his YouTube channel.

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