“All in”: Jung of the Tigers clubs two home runs during Spring Breakout.
LAKELAND, Florida — Hall of Famer Alan Trammell might soon brag of having shaped most of Detroit’s starting infield by season’s end—not that he would brag—having worked with so many Tigers prospects during his tenure as a special assistant. He looks into the future when he sees Jace Jung.
Trammell declared, “He’s all in.”
Not only is Jung talented, but he was selected in the first round and is ranked No. 60 by MLB Pipeline (ranked No. 4 in the Tigers organization) for good cause. Trammell also implies mindset. As a non-roster invitee in Major League camp, Jung was virtually always the first infielder to practice with manager Joey Cora on the field.
Trammell remarked, “I think you can see it in his work. He’s all business.” He is sincere in his desire to play in the major leagues. I believe that his brother Josh Jung, the third baseman for the Rangers, is partly to blame for that. His goal is to emulate his brother. He genuinely aspires to improve himself, I think.
That continued into the Spring Breakout game on Saturday. Although it was officially a prospect exhibition for each team, Jung, whose two home runs drove the offense, had business at stake in the Tigers’ 5-1 victory against the Phillies at Joker Marchant Stadium.
The same game, stated Jung. “There’s a good reason these pitchers were sent here; they have excellent stuff.” They must be handled like major league players. You need to go up there and try to hit the ball hard like you’re in the big leagues.
In Grapefruit League action, Jung is 7-for-20 with a home run and five RBIs for the Tigers. Against Mick Abel, the Phillies’ No. 2 prospect, he continued where he left off in the first inning on Saturday, driving a single to right field for a solo home run.
“Changeup broke down a little bit,” stated Jung. “I threw my hands at it for a little while.”
Field View: The Spring Breakout home hit by Jace Jung
Mar. 16, 2024 · 0:30
Field View: The Spring Breakout home hit by Jace Jung
Griff McGarry, the No. 11 prospect for the Phillies, blasted Jung’s second home run after his cutter strayed into his swing zone. Fittingly, the drive that ensued went directly beneath the Tigers’ administrative offices, onto the concourse above the right-field bullpens, with a projected distance of 412 feet.
Jung glanced up at his parents sitting in the stands as he passed home plate. When they got there on Friday, Jung was hitting.400 with an RBI single for the major league team against the Braves.
Jung is known for his strength, which is what might eventually bring him to Detroit this season. Jung, the number one choice of the Tigers in the 2022 Draft, hammered 28 home runs last season between Double-A Erie and High-A West Michigan. He then added another in the Arizona Fall League.
But Jung’s perseverance is as crucial.
Trammell described him as “just a good all-around baseball player.” He’s the type of man that you kind of come to like. To be honest with you, you need to keep an eye on him a little. However, he brings it.
