It may feel distant now, but Josh Jung has already reached All-Star status once in his young major league career.

During his rookie season in 2023, the Texas Rangers third baseman broke out quickly and earned an American League All-Star selection after producing a .280/.356/.504 slash line with 17 home runs and 56 RBIs before the break.

The years that followed were far less straightforward.

Now, Jung is beginning to look like that player again.

His 2026 season has quietly developed into one of the strongest campaigns by an American League third baseman, and his current production deserves more attention in the All-Star conversation.

Jung enters this stretch hitting .307, which ranks 11th in Major League Baseball.

His overall .307/.363/.477 slash line has made him one of the most consistent offensive performers at the position.

Among American League third basemen, only a few players have produced at a comparable level.

Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays has 14 home runs, 30 RBIs, and a .879 OPS, while Miguel Vargas of the Chicago White Sox has 15 home runs and 41 RBIs. However, Vargas carries a .242 batting average.

What stands out most about Jung’s season is not only the production but the way he is generating it.

His approach at the plate looks noticeably more controlled.

He continues punishing mistakes, as shown by his seven home runs and 16 doubles, but he has also made adjustments that allow him to stay through pitches longer and use the opposite field more effectively.

At the same time, he continues providing strong defense at third base that remains among the best at the position.

That version of Jung looked difficult to imagine a year ago.

At this point last season, he appeared out of rhythm offensively and struggled to consistently attack pitches in the strike zone.

His confidence at the plate looked diminished and the results reflected it.

The turnaround has been significant.

Since May 25, Jung has increased his batting average from .302 to .307 and continued building momentum heading into the summer.

He has also become a stabilizing force for manager Skip Schumaker.

Whether hitting second, third, fourth, or fifth, Jung has given Texas a dependable bat capable of fitting into multiple lineup constructions.

Considering everything that happened in 2025, including a demotion to Triple-A Round Rock and later being benched by Bruce Bochy, this season represents a meaningful response.

More importantly, his performance has put him back into the conversation he entered the league expecting to be part of.

If he maintains this pace, a second All-Star appearance will become increasingly difficult to ignore.

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