Jace Andrew Jung is an American professional baseball second baseman and third baseman who plays in Major League Baseball for the Detroit Tigers organization. He was selected by Detroit with the 12th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft after a standout collegiate career at Texas Tech University. Jung made his Major League debut with the Tigers in August 2024.
Jace Jung Bio
Jace Andrew Jung was born on October 4, 2000, in San Antonio, Texas. He grew up in the Texas city and attended Douglas MacArthur High School, where he established himself as a promising baseball prospect. Jung continued his baseball career at the collegiate level, enrolling at Texas Tech University to play for the Texas Tech Red Raiders program. He quickly developed into one of the top players in the Big 12 Conference, earning recognition as an exceptional two-way talent at the plate and in the field.
Early Life and Background
Jung grew up in San Antonio, Texas, and attended Douglas MacArthur High School. During his high school career, he developed a reputation as a talented hitter and defensive player, setting the foundation for his future baseball aspirations. His performance at the high school level attracted attention from college programs across the country.
After graduating from Douglas MacArthur High School, Jung chose to continue his baseball career close to home by enrolling at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. He joined the Texas Tech Red Raiders baseball program, one of the premier programs in the Big 12 Conference and national collegiate baseball.
Path to Professional Baseball
Jung made an immediate impact during his true freshman season at Texas Tech. He batted .264 through 19 games before the season was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic. The following year, as a redshirt freshman, he had a breakout campaign and was named the Big 12 Conference Baseball Player of the Year after batting .337 with 21 home runs and 67 RBIs. His exceptional performance established him as one of the top prospects in college baseball.
During the summer of 2021, Jung played for the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of the premier summer collegiate baseball leagues in the United States. He batted .219 while playing second base against some of the top college players in the country. The experience helped prepare him for the next level of competition. Heading into his redshirt sophomore season, Jung was named the preseason Big 12 Player of the Year, further cementing his status as an elite collegiate player.
Jace Jung Career
Professional Career (2022-Present)
The Detroit Tigers selected Jung in the first round of the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft, choosing him with the 12th overall selection. He signed with the organization on July 25, 2022, and received a $4,590,300 signing bonus, the largest for a Tigers draft pick that year. Jung began his professional career with the High-A West Michigan Whitecaps, where he posted a .232 batting average with a .373 on-base percentage and .333 slugging percentage across his initial professional games.
He spent the 2023 season splitting time between the West Michigan Whitecaps and the Double-A Erie SeaWolves. Across 128 total games, Jung slash .265/.376/.502 with 28 home runs and 82 RBIs while playing second base. His power production and all-around offensive output demonstrated his ability to hit for both average and power at the upper levels of the minor leagues. Following the regular season, Jung played for the Salt River Rafters in the Arizona Fall League, where he batted .200/.385/.300 while transitioning to play third base.
Major League Debut (2024)
Jung began the 2024 season with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, Detroit’s top minor league affiliate. He played 91 games with Toledo, slashing .257/.377/.454 with 14 home runs and 60 RBIs while demonstrating the offensive prowess that made him a top draft prospect. His strong performance earned him a promotion to the major leagues.
On August 16, 2024, Jung was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. He was inserted into the lineup that evening and made his Major League debut with the Detroit Tigers. In 34 games for Detroit during the 2024 season, Jung batted .241/.362/.304 with no home runs and three RBIs. He underwent an arthroscopic wrist procedure following the season in October to address an injury.
Tigers Roster (2024-Present)
Jung was optioned to Triple-A Toledo to begin the 2025 season as the Tigers managed his development path. He remained with the Mud Hens until April 21, 2025, when he was called up from Toledo to rejoin the major league roster. He made 21 total appearances for Detroit during the regular season, batting .106/.236/.106 with three RBIs and seven walks. His offensive numbers showed he was still adjusting to major league pitching during this stint. The Tigers organization continued to view Jung as an important part of their future and provided him with opportunities to develop at the highest level. Jung was again optioned to Triple-A Toledo to begin the 2026 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jung has shown the ability to hit for both average and power throughout his professional career. His collegiate statistics demonstrated his proficiency as a complete hitter, and his minor league numbers have backed up that potential. He has experience playing both second base and third base, giving the Tigers defensive flexibility. His arm strength and fielding abilities have been assets at both positions.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jung’s selection as the 12th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft represented his first major professional milestone. His Big 12 Conference Baseball Player of the Year award during his redshirt freshman season at Texas Tech remains one of his most significant collegiate achievements. His major league debut on August 16, 2024, marked his arrival as a professional player. His 28-home-run, 82-RBI season across two minor league levels in 2023 showcased his power-hitting ability.
Jace Jung Career Statistics
Jung has accumulated statistics across multiple minor league levels and a partial Major League Baseball season. His most productive professional season came in 2023 when he combined for 28 home runs and 82 RBIs between West Michigan and Erie.
Minor League Highlights
Across his minor league career, Jung has shown consistent power-hitting ability. His 2023 season was particularly notable, as he combined to hit 28 home runs and drove in 82 runs across 128 games between High-A West Michigan and Double-A Erie. In 91 games with Triple-A Toledo in 2024, he batted .257 with 14 home runs and 60 RBIs before his promotion to the majors.
Major League Statistics
Jung made his Major League debut in August 2024 and played 34 games for the Detroit Tigers that season, batting .241 with a .362 on-base percentage. He did not hit a home run and drove in three runs during his rookie campaign. In 2025, he appeared in 21 games for Detroit, batting .106 with three RBIs and seven walks.
| Level | Games | BA | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB (2024-2025) | 55 | .189 | 0 | 6 |
| Triple-A (2024) | 91 | .257 | 14 | 60 |
| Double-A (2023) | 128* | .265 | 28 | 82 |
*Combined stats across two teams
Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
Jace Jung comes from a baseball family with deep roots in the sport. His older brother, Josh Jung, also played baseball at Texas Tech University before pursuing a professional career. The Jung brothers both developed their skills in San Antonio, Texas, and followed similar paths through the Texas Tech Red Raiders program.
Personal Life
Jace Jung’s older brother, Josh Jung, was selected by the Texas Rangers in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft with the eighth overall pick. Both brothers share a background developing their baseball talents in San Antonio before advancing through collegiate and professional baseball. The Jung family’s baseball tradition continues with both brothers pursuing careers in professional baseball.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a year of transition and development for Jung as he worked to establish himself at the Major League level. He began the season with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, where he continued to refine his offensive approach and defensive skills. His strong performance in the minor leagues earned him a recall to Detroit on April 21, providing another opportunity to contribute at the highest level.
Jung’s second stint with the Tigers came with increased expectations following his initial cup of coffee in 2024. He appeared in 21 games for Detroit during this period, working to adjust to major league pitching while contributing defensively at both second and third base. The Tigers maintained patience with his development, recognizing the potential that made him the 12th overall pick in the 2022 Draft. His walk rate demonstrated a patient approach at the plate, though his overall offensive output indicated continued adjustment to big league competition.