The Texas Rangers have announced that 2018 Mohawk Justin Foscue (Mississippi State) would be called up to the Majors. The 2020 first round pick by the Rangers becomes the 18th former Mohawk to reach the Major Leagues.
Foscue hit .304 for the Mohawks in 2018 but didn't arrive until halfway through the season due to Mississippi State’s deep run in the College World Series. He also started a tradition of a of staying for several hours after games to take extra batting practice. That work ethic translated to many of his teammates as they joined him and that tradition has continued at Shuttleworth Park ever since his departure.
Here is the press release shared by the Texas Rangers
By Kennedi Landry
The 25-year-old Foscue, a first-round pick in the 2020 Draft, rates as an above-average hitter and can play first, second and third base. The right-handed hitter spent all of last season with Round Rock, slashing .266/.394/.468 with 18 homers and more walks (85) than strikeouts (70) across 122 games.
He was 3-for-13 with two walks and two RBIs through Round Rock’s first three games this season.
“Any player that walks more than they strike out, it’s a timeless principle that's gonna really help them at the Major League level,” said Rangers offensive coordinator Donnie Ecker during Spring Training. “He's already got that foundation that we really like, and then you add in his contact ability. ... I like his hitting IQ. His IQ and game plan are Major League ready right now.”
Without Jung, whose right wrist was fractured when he was hit by a pitch in Monday night's 9-3 win over the Rays, the Rangers will likely turn to Ezequiel Duran and Josh Smith at third in addition to Foscue. Both Duran and Smith filled in for Jung when he missed six weeks last season with a fractured thumb.
A natural second baseman, Foscue appeared at second base (70 games), third base (35 games), designated hitter (nine games) and first base (nine games) with Round Rock in 2023. He started 41 games at third base his freshman year at Mississippi State.
Duran has been part of a first-base platoon with veteran infielder Jared Walsh early this season, and he is versatile enough to play all four infield positions, so it’s more likely that Foscue becomes part of the first-base platoon, while Duran transitions to the opposite side of the field with Smith at third.