Justin Foscue

Foscue has been an impressive contact hitter in the minors, but he is blocked in Texas and his lack of defensive utility lessens his appeal to other teams in trade talks. No longer a viable defensive option at second base (where he is eligible in fantasy) or even third base, Foscue may lack the power potential to get an extended look at first base or designated hitter. He had excellent plate discipline marks (15.1 BB%, 12.4 K%) and mediocre impact metrics (25.8 Hard%, 103.1-mph 90th percentile EV) while being old (24) for a legitimate Triple-A prospect. If Foscue projected to be a quality defender, his offensive output would be perfectly fine, but he will probably be limited to short-side platoon at-bats or indefinite work at Triple-A until he gets traded to a second-division team.

After finishing his injury-shortened 2021 season at Double-A Frisco, Foscue returned there for the duration of the 2022 campaign. Although the former first-round pick's power production dipped, he greatly improved his strikeout rate from 27 percent to 14.3 percent. Foscue also got better as the season moved along, posting a .300/.363/.486 line with 11 of his 15 homers over the final three months. Foscue's bat will need to carry him because his defense is poor, and second base (Marcus Semien) and likely third base (Josh Jung) are already spoken for with the big club, anyway. The 24-year-old figures to spend most, if not all, of 2023 at Triple-A Round Rock.

The Rangers landed their second baseman of the future with the No. 14 overall pick in last year's draft. Foscue walked 15 times compared to three strikeouts while hitting .321 in 16 games last spring for Mississippi State en route to establishing himself as first-round selection. He has a chance to be an above-average hitter with above-average pull-side power, and as a right-handed infielder who can't play shortstop, his bat needs to carry him to the majors. While his spring performance is encouraging, Foscue hit just .255/.288/.362 with zero home runs and an 8:3 K:BB in 47 at-bats with a wood bat for Team USA last summer. Foscue played some third base as a sophomore but played exclusively at the keystone as a junior, which will be his position in pro ball. He went to the alternate training site and participated in the fall instructional league and could open the year at High-A or Double-A.