Detroit Tigers select Jace Jung with 12th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft

The Detroit Tigers get a first round bat

The Detroit Tigers have selected Texas Tech second baseman Jace Jung with the 12th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft.

Jung had been heavily linked to Detroit in mock drafts, as had Virginia Tech outfielder Gavin Cross and Campbell shortstop Zach Neto, among others.

Jung has a powerful left-handed bat. The brother of Texas Rangers prospect Josh Jung, he played second base in college, but his position in pro ball remains a question mark. A move to first base is not out of the question.

Here’s what MLB Pipeline has to say about Jung:

“Jung’s upright setup at the plate is unorthodox but doesn’t prevent him from destroying all types of pitches and pitchers. The left-handed hitter has no discernible weakness at the plate, drawing more walks than strikeouts in each of his first two college seasons while making repeated hard contact to all fields. His hitting ability, strength and bat speed produce home runs from foul pole to foul pole and he makes two-strike adjustments without sacrificing much power.”

Pipeline goes on to say that that “he may hit .300 with 30 home runs on an annual basis.” The bat will be a very welcome addition to a Tigers system that desperately needs it.

His batting stance is indeed quite strange. He holds the bat in a straight, upright position, almost like former Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis.

While Jung’s power and hitting ability is what put his name on the map, his eye and plate discipline should not be slept on. He walked 59 times compared to just 42 strikeouts in 2022 for the Red Raiders.

The Detroit Tigers really needed an impact bat in their farm system, and they just got one in Jung. He could probably make the Opening Day roster in 2024 if all goes well.