As the Texas Rangers look to reignite their offense in 2026, third baseman Josh Jung may hold the key to their resurgence if he can refine his approach at the plate.

IMAGE: Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (6) celebrates after hitting a double against the Cleveland Guardians during the third inning at Progressive Field. / Ken Blaze / Imagn Images

After back-to-back underwhelming seasons following their 2023 World Series triumph, the Texas Rangers find themselves at a crossroads. President of baseball operations Chris Young has made it clear: this team won’t be throwing around massive free-agent contracts this offseason. Instead, the focus is on internal growth, roster tweaks, and a fresh voice in the dugout with new manager Skip Schumaker.

And if the Rangers are going to find their way back into contention, they’ll need more than just Corey Seager and Wyatt Langford doing the heavy lifting at the plate. One name that could be pivotal in that resurgence? Josh Jung.

Can Josh Jung Reignite His All-Star Form?

Jung’s 2023 campaign looked like the beginning of something special. He was an All-Star at third base, posted a 2.3 WAR, launched 23 home runs, and drove in 70 runs. His slash line – .266/.315/.467 – along with a 113 OPS+, pointed to a player who could be a long-term cornerstone in the Rangers’ lineup.

But since then, the road’s been rocky.

Injuries limited him to just 46 games in 2024, and while he stayed healthier last season, the production didn’t bounce back the way the Rangers had hoped. Offensively, he simply hasn’t been able to replicate that 2023 form.

Defensively, however, there was a promising sign. After a rough 2024 where he posted -6 outs above average, Jung rebounded nicely last year with a +5 mark – a significant swing that shows he’s still capable of making an impact with the glove.

A Message from the New Skipper

Schumaker isn’t shying away from expectations. Speaking at the Winter Meetings, he made it clear how he views Jung’s potential: “I want him to be feared again.” That’s a bold statement – and one that speaks to the kind of presence Jung once had in the lineup.

To get back to that level, though, Jung will need to make adjustments at the plate.

The Approach at the Plate Needs a Reset

Jung has always been an aggressive hitter – the kind of guy who’s not waiting around for a perfect pitch. Over the last three seasons, his chase rate sits at 33.86%, which is well above league average. In 2023, that approach worked because he was barreling balls at an 11.9% rate – a number that puts him in pretty elite company.

But that barrel rate has dipped in each of the past two seasons, down to 9.9% and then 8.2%. That trend suggests pitchers have figured out how to get him to chase more and barrel less – and now it’s on Jung to adjust.

If he can rein in that aggressiveness and force pitchers to work in the zone, he could flip the script. It’s not about taking walks for the sake of it – it’s about not giving away outs. If Jung becomes more selective, he’ll get better pitches to hit, and that’s when the power and production can return.

The Bigger Picture

For the Rangers, 2026 isn’t about a splashy rebuild or a blockbuster signing. It’s about getting more from the talent already in the building.

Jung is a prime example of that. He’s shown flashes of being a difference-maker, and if he can rediscover that All-Star form – or something close to it – it could go a long way in revitalizing a lineup that stalled out too often last season.

There’s still belief in Josh Jung inside the Rangers’ clubhouse. Now it’s about turning that belief into results.