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Detroit Tigers Top 30 Prospects for 2024: #5 Jace Jung

Continuing with the countdown of top Detroit Tigers prospects, we're at the last five. Jace Jung comes in at fifth on the MCB Top 30 list.

By Tyler Kotila |
Detroit Tigers infielder Jace Jung practices during spring training at TigerTown in Lakeland, Fla.
Detroit Tigers infielder Jace Jung practices during spring training at TigerTown in Lakeland, Fla. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
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The Detroit Tigers took a chance back in 2021 when they selected Jace Jung with the 12th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. The former Texas Tech Red Raiders standout has since jumped into the organization and has come a long way as he's marched toward the big leagues.

We're not here to talk about who the Tigers could have taken in Jung's spot, but we are here to talk about Jung being in the top five of the team's top prospect list as we continue on our countdown here at Motor City Bengals. Jung has come a long way in his time with Detroit, and it's good to see.

The former first-rounder has been able to start carving out a role with Detroit, and he is continuing to get closer and closer to the big leagues. It's good to see him making strides in his development, and it feels like he might just end up being a big-league player in 2024.

But beyond that, let's talk about why Jung cracks our top five on our countdown of Tigers prospects ahead of the 2024 season. He's got a chance to impact Detroit in a big way; why not see what he brings to the table?

Detroit Tigers infield prospect Jace Jung is looking for big things in 2024.

Frame & Stance

Jung's a physical 6-foot, 205-pound frame with tons of strength in the frame. He's got some athleticism that has seemingly improved in his time with the Tigers, but the frame's physicality is what stands out. He's got the muscle mass that translates to strength and power, and it's a carrying piece of his profile.

He's a left-handed hitter who has always had an unorthodox stance at the plate. He sets up with a spread and upright base with the hands set high and away from the body. The bat is pointed backward, almost like he's aiming the tip of the bat at the press box, and he keeps it there before lifting the leg and working into the swing.

It is more of a timing mechanism, allowing him to keep the hands in a position that will enable him to get to launch quickly. It's something he's done since his college days and has continued with the Tigers organization. He's quick to the ball with tons of strength to impact.

He creates barrel whip through the zone like nobody's business. His bottom-hand strength and forearm strength show in the swing. Not only is there barrel acceleration through contact, but there's strength to impact, which allows him to do some serious damage.

2023 Stats

He has spent time with the Tigers, working through the different levels of the organization. While he may not break camp with the team, there's a chance he'll sniff out his big-league debut in 2024. But he's likely heading back to the minors to continue his ascent toward the big leagues.

Last season, Jung had 128 games for the Tigers organization, spending most of his time with High-A West Michigan before earning his call-up to Double-A Erie. In his time with West Michigan, he slashed .254/.377/.465 with 18 doubles, two triples, and 14 home runs with 43 RBI with 56 walks and 83 strikeouts.

Once he got to Double-A, he slashed .284/.373/.563 with nine doubles and 14 RBI to his credit. He walked 23 times and struck out 56 times with Erie before the season ended. He showed some upside and intrigue but is still on his Road to Detroit. First of all, they need to find him a place to play.

Jace Jung's murky defensive outlook with the Detroit Tigers

Listen, I don't want to sit here and bang the "Jace Jung can't play defense" drum anymore. I have been a big critic of his since he was drafted. He could not hack it at third base in college and seemed doomed at second base with a physical upside of Max Muncy, who had to shift to first base.

However, Jung has come a long way with his defense. He has proven that he can play good enough defense to hack it in the big leagues and even got some praise from Alan Trammell after last fall. It's a step in the right direction, as Detroit has even come out and started pushing him to improve at third base, hoping there's a chance he could move around the diamond. Plus, we all know how much Scott Harris loves his versatility.

The one thing working against Jung is the extension of Colt Keith. It feels like he's destined to break camp with the team and start pushing to prove himself in the big leagues. This likely happens as a second or third baseman. That being said, Jung will have to find himself a spot with the Tigers down the line.

The combination of Jung's physical stature that projects as a 1B/DH kind of role makes it less promising. But I'm trying to be the optimist here, hoping that Keith shifts to third and Jung can play some second base in the big leagues. If not, I'd bet he becomes like Muncy and is more of a 1B/2B kind of guy and DH for the team, but that brings a whole different conversation about where Spencer Torkelson would be if Jung is playing first.

Jace Jung's future outlook with the Detroit Tigers

Jung's come a long way. His defense has been better than I ever thought it would be, and he's slugged his way through some of the lower levels of the minors. The bat is the carrying piece of this profile and it has been impressive. Jung just needs to keep progressing.

With a bit of a holdup in his positional value to the Tigers, breaking camp with the team is likely out of the question. But coming to the team down the line is not out of the question. A 2024 debut could be in line if he does perform well in the minors with the Toledo Mud Hens.

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