The Rangers will promote infield prospect and former first-round choice Justin Foscue ahead of today’s game, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. He will replace third baseman Josh Jung, who was struck by a pitch yesterday and shattered his wrist. When Foscue takes the field for the first time, he will be making his major league debut.
Foscue, 25, is a bat-first prospect with a hit-over-power profile. His exceptional bat-to-ball abilities have been on display in each of the previous two seasons in the upper levels; he hit.288/.367/.483 in 460 Double-A plate appearances in 2022 and.266/.394/.468 in 563 Triple-A plate appearances last season. Foscue struck out in only 14.3% of his Double-A plate appearances, and he had an even better 12.4% strikeout percentage in 2023, when he walked at a staggering 15.1% rate.
While Foscue lacks the tremendous power that we frequently see in bat-first prospects, it doesn’t mean he’s only a slap hitter. He hit 15 home runs in 2022 and another 18 last year. He has also hit 31 doubles in each of the last two seasons, adding five triples in the process. Foscue receives below-average speed evaluations but was able to steal 14 bags in Triple-A last year, albeit in 21 attempts (66.7% success rate).
Foscue’s primary criticism during his professional career has been his defense. He’s predominantly played second base (1933 innings), but he’s also spent time at third base (410 innings) and first base (92). He is not considered as a strong defender in any of those positions, however. Baseball America listed him as the Rangers’ fourth-best prospect this season, praising his offensive potential but noting that Foscue “does not have the range, mobility, or arm strength to stick up the middle or at third base.” He may eventually serve as a platoon partner for Nathaniel Lowe at first base, a part-time designated hitter, and possibly log some time in left field, but defense doesn’t look to be a significant element.
