The Rangers selected three players in the first two rounds of last night's draft.
Here's a break down of each player:
Josh Jung:Top --.What a moment.--#WreckEm⚫️ pic.twitter.com/GseYbNHpjK
— Texas Tech Baseball (@TTU_Baseball)
June 4, 2019 The Rangers selected Texas Tech third baseman Josh Jung with the No. 8 overall pick. Jung spent most of his time this season at shortstop but the Rangers view him as a third baseman.
Jung was the co-Big 12 player of the year along with the Baylor's Davis Wendzel, whom the Rangers selected with the 41st overall pick.
Lots of high praise across the board from the @MLBDraft coverage.You got a good one, @Rangers fans! (Some of you already knew that. --)--#WreckEm⚫️ pic.twitter.com/oCDH1ULbJd
— Texas Tech Baseball (@TTU_Baseball)
June 4, 2019 Jung, who is considered as one of the best hitters in the draft class, is batting .340 with 11 home runs and 53 RBI to help lead the Red Raiders to the Super Regionals against Oklahoma State this week. The Rangers are unable to sign Jung until Tech's season is over, but the club isn't concerned about their chances of agreeing to a deal.
The San Antonio native projects to hit 20-25 home runs, but a college evaluator told 105.3 The Fan's Jared Sandler that Jung's "foundational skillset is too advanced for him not to develop 25-30 HR power."
“Being drafted in general, dream come true ... Just to get drafted in the first round is awesome ... to stay in Texas is pretty sweet, too," Jung told reporters on a conference call.
After selecting Jung, Rangers scouting director Kip Fagg raved about his work ethic and who he is as a person, calling him "a dream come true."
Davis Wendzel: The Rangers selected Baylor third baseman Davis Wendzel with the No. 41 overall pick.
According to Baseball America, Wendzel is seen by Big 12 coaches as being "one of the most reliable defenders in the conference."
Wendzel hit .367 to go along with 8 home runs and 42 RBI for the Bears this season. Baseball America says he "has more hitting ability than power, although evaluators believe he has the potential to get to average power eventually." Wendzel is recognized as having a mature approach at the plate and has great pitch recognition.
What a moment for Davis Wendzel! --Newest member of the @Rangers as he’s selected 4️⃣1️⃣st overall, giving the --s 2️⃣ first rounders for the first time in program history!Congrats, Davis! You make us so proud! #SicEm | #BetterTogether | #NextLevelBU pic.twitter.com/ssu7CJh1vm
— Baylor Baseball (@BaylorBaseball)
June 4, 2019 When speaking to reporters on a conference call last night, Wendzel, a California native, says he's happy to be staying in Texas.
"I’ve made some lifelong friends in Texas and I love this state…I feel like I should have been born here I love this place so much."
Wendzel was also asked about being drafted by the same team as Jung.
"He’s a great player. I think we can both add to any lineup. I think I can play anywhere on the field. Put me anywhere and I’ll hit."
Ryan Garcia: The Rangers selected UCLA RHP Ryan Garcia with the No. 50 overall pick.
Garcia, the ace of the best pitching staff in college baseball, was named the Pac 12 Pitcher of the Year. In 15 appearances (12 starts), he's 10-0 with a 1.36 ERA. He struck out 109 hitters and allowed just 13 runs across 86.1 innings pitched.
He's lights out. --@ryan_garcia__ is the newest member of the @Rangers. pic.twitter.com/30CeJaeB7k
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network)
June 4, 2019 Sandler says a rival coach told him that Garcia has "great [stuff>" and is "gonna be a good one." Garcia is said to have a clean delivery with the ability to throw four pitches. He gets his swings-and-misses from strong deception. A big plus regarding Garcia is that he can throw all of his pitches for strikes
Several Pac 12 hitters, including Arizona State's Hunter Bishop (selected by the Giants 10th overall), called him the best pitcher they faced in the Pac 12.
UCLA also advanced to the Super Regionals this week against Michigan.
