Will this 3B prospect be the new Beltré?

This story was excerpted from Kennedi Landry’s Rangers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

ARLINGTON -- It seems inevitable doesn’t it? Josh Jung in a Rangers uniform on the big stage at Globe Life Field? Maybe -- hopefully -- acting as the first longtime third baseman the club hasn't seen since Adrián Beltré retired in 2018.

Jung’s MLB debut has been long-awaited. The 2019 first-round Draft pick (No. 8 overall) has felt like he was at Arlington’s doorstep for the better part of two seasons now, but injuries have kept getting in the way

During Spring Training 2021, there was thought around the organization that he could push for a callup later in the season. He ultimately missed time with a foot injury that required surgery and didn't make his season debut with Double-A Frisco until June 15, delaying his debut.

This past offseason, it felt like Jung was primed to be the Opening Day third baseman after the Rangers signed Corey Seager and Marcus Semien to man the middle of the infield. But once again, an injury got in the way. Before Spring Training even started, Jung underwent surgery for a torn labrum in his left shoulder sustained during a weightlifting session, once again delaying his debut.

But Jung, ranked as Texas' No. 1 prospect by MLB Pipeline, returned quicker than expected and he even was able to start playing in the field, something that was not a guarantee this season.

Jung's callup before the end of the regular season seems inevitable. “Imminent” is how general manager Chris Young put it. But what’s taking so long for the 24-year-old?

“Josh is doing everything he can,” Young said. “He’s played [16] games in Triple-A and he’s performing well, but [16] games doesn't expose you to everything you're going to see at this level. We want to make sure that he continues to progress. But he's doing great and my anticipation is that it will happen at some point, but we're not there yet.”

Entering Wednesday, Jung had played just 16 games with Triple-A Round Rock, plus another eight on a rehab assignment in Arizona. He doesn’t even have 100 at-bats yet, which is why Young is still referring to Jung as still being in the “Spring Training stage” of his return.

But in Jung's limited time in Triple-A, he has proven he can still hit with a .304/.360/.652 slash line and a 1.012 OPS to go along with six home runs and six doubles. He’s obviously succeeding against a high level of pitching, and did so when he hit .348/.436/.652/1.088 in 35 games with the Express last season.

Young continually emphasized making sure that Jung’s body feels right, both at the plate and in the field at an intense position like third base. They want to make sure his body feels the rhythm of playing every day, no matter what level he’s at.

“At this point, we're doing what's best in our mind for Josh Jung and setting him up for success,” Young said. “But he's, as we look at it, just [16] games into the season. He's doing great, but we're not there yet…. He’s had 400 at-bats at the upper levels [of the Minors].

"We can debate it. You guys can have your opinion as to when he's ready. We'll call him up when we think the time's right for Josh Jung and the Texas Rangers. So I am just as excited as you are about him.”

It’s also worth noting that the Rangers no longer have to worry about the 45-day threshold until the end of the season that would exhaust his rookie eligibility for 2023, though they’ll no doubt have to keep an eye on the 130 at-bats.

Young has emphasized that the front office is not worried about any of those external factors though. All that matters is Jung’s readiness at the big league level.

“When the time is right and we feel like everything lines up, then he’ll be here,” interim manager Tony Beasley said last week.

And well, that could be any day now.