There aren’t too many people who follow the Texas Rangers closely who question third baseman Josh Jung’s love for baseball.

From his noted extensive and quite impressive baseball card collection to his annual wiffle ball tournament held at Globe Life Field every offseason, it seems Jung eats, sleeps, and breathes baseball almost more than anyone else on the team.

However, last season, things on the baseball field did not go well for Jung, performance-wise, for the first time perhaps in his entire baseball life.

Jung struggled in 131 games with the Rangers last season, hitting just .251 with an on-base percentage of .294, a slugging percentage of .390, 14 home runs, and 61 RBI.

In July, Jung’s struggles culminated as he was sent down to Triple-A Round Rock for the first time since cracking the big leagues.

All but adding to the frustration that is the untapped potential that Jung has at this time. It became apparent that he had potential in 2023, when he was named as the starting third baseman for the American League in the MLB All-Star Game. He was a key piece during the Rangers' run to their first-ever World Series title.

Flash forward over two years later, and Jung is looking to rediscover the “obsession” he felt during that run and on a baseball field in general.

“The big thing for me this year is just becoming obsessed again and recommitting and reengaging with the process of things,” Jung said when meeting with the media at Rangers Spring Training on Wednesday morning.

“I feel like I let the day-to-day stats kind of drive me last year, and that’s a roller coaster, and it’s not fun," Jung said.

"So, it’s just getting back to the process and just focusing on laying my head down and knowing I did everything possible to prepare for the game, and the results will take care of themselves," Jung said. "Even if you don’t succeed, you did everything you possibly could."

Early reports from Rangers camp in Arizona suggest that Jung is doing everything he can and more, according to his new manager.

First-year Texas skipper Skip Schumaker has suggested that he is impressed with Jung’s early returns, and the Rangers third baseman seems to agree.

“I feel like I’m in a good spot,” Jung said. “It’s just continuing to go honestly, just come out hot and try to stay as hot as I can."

A hot start and solid season from Jung will go a long way in helping the Rangers rebound offensively and return to the postseason for the first time since winning it all back in 2023.

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