School: Texas Tech; Class: Sophomore
Position: 2B/3B; B/T: L/R
Height: 6-0; Weight: 205
Previously Drafted: N/A
High School: MacArthur High School
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 55 | 55 | 45 | 55 | 50 | 60 |
Background: It has to be a difficult growing up with an older brother who (A) is a former Big 12 Freshman of the Year, (B) Freshman All-American, (C) All-American, (D) Team USA alum, and (E) the eighth the overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft. Unless, of course, your Jace Jung – who’s practically gone toe-to-toe with his older brother Josh Jung, a top prospect in the Rangers’ organization.
After a solid, COVID-limited true freshman campaign in 2020, Jung, who batted .264/.438/.604 for the Red Raiders, had a massive breakout during his follow up campaign for Head Coach Tim Tadlock. In 56 games for the Big 12 conference school, the lefty-swinging second / third baseman slugged .337/.462/.697 with 10 doubles, one triple, and 21 homeruns. He finished the year with a sparkling 45-to-49 strikeout-to-walk ratio. And then the awards started rolling in:
- Consensus All-American including First Team Honors by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, the NCBWA, Perfect Game, and the College Baseball Foundation.
- Big 12 Player of the Year.
- Unanimous All-Big 12 First Team
The younger Jung also earned a spot on Team USA’s roster, the first Red Raider to do so since his older brother. He would bat a solid .267/.371/.400 for the national squad in 11 games, belting out a double and a dinger.
The current Texas Tech star maintained status quo during his phenomenal 2022 season as well. In a career best 61 games, Jung batted a scorching .335/.481/.612 with a career best 18 doubles, one triple, and 14 homeruns. He also went a perfect 5-for-5 in the stolen base department as well. Like the previous year, Jung walked more times than he whiffed (59 to 42).
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
- Since 2011, there are only seven instances in which a Big 12 hitter met the following criteria in a season (min. 250 PA): hit at least .300/.450/.600 with more walks than strikeouts: Ivan Melendez (Texas, 2022), Grant Little (Texas Tech, 2018), Jaxx Groshans (Kansas, 2019), Josh Jung (Texas Tech, 2018 and 2019), and Jace Jung (2021 and 2022).
Expanding it out a bit, consider the following:
- Since 2011, only six players met the aforementioned criteria in two separate seasons for any conference in Division 1 baseball: Kyle Schwarber, Adley Rutschman, D.J. Peterson, Tyler Locklear, Josh Jung, and – of course – Jace Jung.
- For those counting at home Schwarber was the 4th overall pick in 2014; Rutschman was the top pick in 2019; Peterson was the 12th pick in 2013; Locklear, a project early round pick in 2022; Josh Jung, the 8th overall pick in 2019; and – of course – Jace Jung.
Starting from an abnormal, almost Kevin Youkilis / Cal Ripken Jr.-type hand setup, Jung holds his hands high and let’s the bat almost rest at a 45-degree drop away from him. And it creates an odd approach to the zone as well, never really straightening the bat head at any point. It’s a peculiar swing, but it’s short and lightning quick. Jung has above-average power potential, a little bit of footspeed, and he’s had no trouble with better college-age competition. The ceiling is higher if he can stick to second base. Ben Zobrist-type offensive performer.
Ceiling: 4.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
Grade: First Round
