Jace Jung DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

MLB.com's Jason Beck writes that Detroit Tigers third base prospect Jace Jung, the team's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, put on a show during batting practice at spring training on Saturday by sending home runs to all fields. Now that Alex Bregman didn't sign with the Tigers, Jung, Matt Vierling and Andy Ibanez will be competing for the bulk of playing time at the hot corner in 2025. The 24-year-old Jung struggled down the stretch in 2024 and was hampered by a right-wrist injury, but he has regained the explosiveness that led him to 28 home runs in the minors in 2023. Jung had 15 homers in the minors last year and only one extra-base hit in 34 games with the Tigers before having surgery on his wrist in December. He's fully healthy this spring, though, and his exit velocities have been on the rise. The former first-rounder has more fantasy upside than Vierling because of his power, but he could return to Triple-A Toledo to start the 2025 season.

According to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic, Detroit Tigers third base prospect Jace Jung could have a difficult path to find consistent playing time to open the season. Stavenhagen noted that if the Tigers do not sign Bregman, it would "make sense" that the Tigers platoon both Matt Vierling and Jung at the hot corner. However, the Tigers also have Zach McKinstry and Andy Ibanez to guarantee contacts, which could also crowd the infield. Jung underwent offseason wrist surgery but is expected to be ready for spring training. However, given the crowded infield, Stavenhagen noted that it is not "out of the question" their third base prospect opens the season at the Triple-A level. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his production during spring training, as it will likely clarify where he begins the 2025 season. Last summer, across his first 34 major league games, the former 12th overall pick posted a .241/.362/.304 line.

Detroit Tigers third base prospect Jace Jung (wrist) underwent wrist surgery earlier this offseason to address lingering wrist inflammation. However, the team noted that the young infielder is expected to be ready for Spring Training. The Texas Tech product spent the majority of the 2024 season with Triple-A Toledo before earning a late-season promotion to the big leagues. Across 91 games at Triple-A, the former 12th-overall pick held a .257/.377/.454 line with 23 doubles and 14 home runs. In 34 games at the major league level, Jung held a similar .241/.362/.304 line. Under the hood, he generated a weak 34.0% hard-hit rate and a 4.0% barrel rate. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should continue to monitor his progress during Spring Training as he should be in a good position to make the Opening Day Roster.