Justin Foscue

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Texas Rangers #4 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 50/Medium
  
  Track Record: Foscue was the Rangers’ first-round pick in the five-round 2020 draft, part of a treasure trove of talent that also included postseason star Evan Carter as well as righthander Tekoah Roby and shortstop Thomas Saggese, who were used in tandem to acquire lefthander Jordan Montgomery from the Cardinals for the playoffs. All season long at Triple-A, Foscue showed a combination of selectivity and bat-to-ball skills that led to more walks (85) than strikeouts (70). After beginning his career as a second baseman, Foscue has begun to transition to the corners. In 2023, he made 35 starts at third base and nine more at first base.
  
  Scouting Report: Wherever he lands on the diamond, Foscue’s value will come from what he does at the plate. When he swings, he usually makes contact. His rate of miss (17.8%) and in-zone miss (8.9%) were both excellent, but his impact was just average. To improve, Foscue will need to add some more loft to his bat path, which was an area of focus at Texas’ postseason instructional camp. If he can make that change successfully, some of the 62 doubles he’s amassed over the past two seasons might leave the park. Defensively, Foscue does not have the range, mobility or arm strength to stick up the middle or at third base. He’s also blocked by Josh Jung, Corey Seager and Marcus Semien. That leaves first base, where he might serve as an effective platoon partner for Nathaniel Lowe. Foscue is a well below-average runner as well.
  
  The Future: After two seasons at the upper levels, Foscue will get a chance in spring training to win a spot on Texas’ crowded roster. If he hits enough in spring training, he could earn a job spelling Lowe against lefthanders while also serving as the DH on other days.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Field: 40 | Arm: 40
• 
  Ranked Texas Rangers #11 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: After starring in the Southeastern Conference and earning a spot with USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team after his sophomore season, Foscue was selected by the Rangers in the first-round of the 2020 draft. Despite dealing with injuries, Foscue tore up the lower levels in his official debut in 2021, including 17 home runs in just 62 games. He concluded his season with a turn in the Arizona Fall League. He put together another solid season in 2022, though his home run power didn't show up until late, including five longballs at offensive oasis Amarillo.
  
  Scouting Report: Nearly all Foscue's value is centered around his offense, which is why the Rangers went to work rescuing his power from an early-season funk. To do so, they tweaked his hitting mechanics to keep him from collapsing on his back side, which had left him hitting with a more handsy approach that promoted contact at the expense of power. Foscue makes excellent decisions, as shown by a chase rate of 22%, a whiff rate of 17.4% and a stellar in-zone miss rate of just 12%. Foscue also makes plenty of impact on contact, with an average exit velocity of 87.3 mph and a barrel rate of 14.1%. Scouts are intrigued by his pull-side power, but some believe he can be coaxed into weak contact by soft stuff on the outer part of the plate, and internal evaluators note that he's made strides to close a previous hole on hard fastballs near the top of the zone. Defensively, evaluators inside and outside the organization see player who was already short on quickness and athleticism and lost a few steps this year. There's plenty of doubt he can stick up the middle, and some scouts even believe he might not even be a strong enough defender to play first base. There's also plenty of concern given his injury history, which has included a plethora of issues in his midsection, including back soreness entering this year that lingered into the season's early months.
  
  The Future: After helping Double-A Frisco to a Texas League crown in 2022, Foscue will move to Triple-A in 2023. The Rangers are loaded for bear in the middle infield anyway, so he's likely to dabble at other positions as well. If he stays healthy, he could make his big league debut late in the year.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 50. Speed: 40. Fielding: 40. Arm: 45.
• 
  Ranked Texas Rangers #6 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Foscue starred at Mississippi State and earned a spot on USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team during his sophomore season. The Rangers made him their first-round pick in 2020 and signed him to an under-slot bonus of $3.25 million before letting him get his feet wet at the alternate training site and in instructional league. Foscue showed a combination of power and hittability in his 2021 pro debut but scuffled a bit once he got to Double-A. He finished the year with a solid stint in the Arizona Fall League.
  
  Scouting Report: Foscue’s season was interrupted by a pair of injuries to his midsection, but when he was on the field, especially at High-A, he showed the ability to hit for both average and power. The latter was especially clear during a torrid stretch in July when he hit nine home runs in eight games. Foscue got plenty of power from a short swing, but he will fall in love with the home run at times and get out of his approach. Opposing scouts also saw a player with a stiff swing and holes on the outer third of the strike zone, which became somewhat exposed once he got to Double-A. Defensively, Foscue is not a particularly rangy or agile player, but he will make the routine plays and has a fringe-average arm. He’s a below-average runner.
  
  The Future: Foscue is likely to return to Double-A to begin 2022. He will have to shore up his hit tool to reach his ceiling as an offensive-minded second baseman.
  
• 
  Ranked Texas Rangers #6 prospect in 2021
  Hitting: 55. Power: 55. Running: 40. Fielding: 45. Arm: 45.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Foscue had a stellar sophomore season at Mississippi State in 2019 and was the starting second baseman for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team that summer. He was off to a blazing start in 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic cut the college season short. The Rangers drafted him 14th overall and signed him for $3.25 million, more than $725,000 under slot. Foscue spent the summer at the Rangers’ alternate training site and finished in instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Foscue was the second straight college hitter the Rangers selected in the first round, after Josh Jung was drafted in 2019. Foscue is an offensive-oriented second baseman who has the potential to hit .280 with 25 homers. He doesn’t have a prototypical swing and has struggled swinging a wood bat in the past, but he took to a few tweaks the Rangers suggested and earned high praise from team officials. He understands how pitchers will attack him, works counts and covers the entire strike zone. Foscue’s offense is well ahead of his defense. He is a below-average runner and fringe-average defender who needs a lot of refinement.
  
  THE FUTURE: Foscue has a chance to launch his pro career at Double-A with a strong showing in spring training.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #36 prospect in 2020 draft
  You have to be a standout hitter to be a day one prospect as a second baseman, and Foscue fits the bill. After a mediocre freshman season with Mississippi State (.241/.332/.353), Foscue took off in 2019 when he hit 14 home runs and posted a .338/.402/.582 slash line while finishing fifth in the Southeastern Conference in hits and third in total bases. Scouts believe Foscue will be an above-average hitter, though he does it with a fairly significant leg kick in his load and an approach that gets pull-heavy. Evaluators thought Foscue quieted the lower half in his 14 games this spring. His strikeout and walk rates were significantly better than he’s shown before, but it was a very small sample. Foscue has plus raw power in the tank, though scouts wonder how much of that he’ll tap into during games with a wood bat. He played 12 games last summer with Team USA and hit just .255/.288/.362 with wood. Foscue will need to improve his defense to stick at second base, and there’s some concern that he’ll wind up in an outfield corner. Coaches praise Foscue’s work ethic and baseball IQ, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he took the steps necessary to stick in the dirt. If Foscue were lefthanded or a bit bigger (he is listed at 6-foot, 203 pounds) it would be easier to see him in the back of the first round. A team that thinks he’s a plus hitter could still take him there, but it is more likely he goes in the second.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: After starring in the Southeastern Conference and earning a spot with USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team after his sophomore season, Foscue was selected by the Rangers in the first-round of the 2020 draft. Despite dealing with injuries, Foscue tore up the lower levels in his official debut in 2021, including 17 home runs in just 62 games. He concluded his season with a turn in the Arizona Fall League. He put together another solid season in 2022, though his home run power didn't show up until late, including five longballs at offensive oasis Amarillo.
  
  Scouting Report: Nearly all Foscue's value is centered around his offense, which is why the Rangers went to work rescuing his power from an early-season funk. To do so, they tweaked his hitting mechanics to keep him from collapsing on his back side, which had left him hitting with a more handsy approach that promoted contact at the expense of power. Foscue makes excellent decisions, as shown by a chase rate of 22%, a whiff rate of 17.4% and a stellar in-zone miss rate of just 12%. Foscue also makes plenty of impact on contact, with an average exit velocity of 87.3 mph and a barrel rate of 14.1%. Scouts are intrigued by his pull-side power, but some believe he can be coaxed into weak contact by soft stuff on the outer part of the plate, and internal evaluators note that he's made strides to close a previous hole on hard fastballs near the top of the zone. Defensively, evaluators inside and outside the organization see player who was already short on quickness and athleticism and lost a few steps this year. There's plenty of doubt he can stick up the middle, and some scouts even believe he might not even be a strong enough defender to play first base. There's also plenty of concern given his injury history, which has included a plethora of issues in his midsection, including back soreness entering this year that lingered into the season's early months.
  
  The Future: After helping Double-A Frisco to a Texas League crown in 2022, Foscue will move to Triple-A in 2023. The Rangers are loaded for bear in the middle infield anyway, so he's likely to dabble at other positions as well. If he stays healthy, he could make his big league debut late in the year.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 50. Speed: 40. Fielding: 40. Arm: 45.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: After starring in the Southeastern Conference and earning a spot with USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team after his sophomore season, Foscue was selected by the Rangers in the first-round of the 2020 draft. Despite dealing with injuries, Foscue tore up the lower levels in his official debut in 2021, including 17 home runs in just 62 games. He concluded his season with a turn in the Arizona Fall League. He put together another solid season in 2022, though his home run power didn't show up until late, including five longballs at offensive oasis Amarillo.
  
  Scouting Report: Nearly all Foscue's value is centered around his offense, which is why the Rangers went to work rescuing his power from an early-season funk. To do so, they tweaked his hitting mechanics to keep him from collapsing on his back side, which had left him hitting with a more handsy approach that promoted contact at the expense of power. Foscue makes excellent decisions, as shown by a chase rate of 22%, a whiff rate of 17.4% and a stellar in-zone miss rate of just 12%. Foscue also makes plenty of impact on contact, with an average exit velocity of 87.3 mph and a barrel rate of 14.1%. Scouts are intrigued by his pull-side power, but some believe he can be coaxed into weak contact by soft stuff on the outer part of the plate, and internal evaluators note that he's made strides to close a previous hole on hard fastballs near the top of the zone. Defensively, evaluators inside and outside the organization see player who was already short on quickness and athleticism and lost a few steps this year. There's plenty of doubt he can stick up the middle, and some scouts even believe he might not even be a strong enough defender to play first base. There's also plenty of concern given his injury history, which has included a plethora of issues in his midsection, including back soreness entering this year that lingered into the season's early months.
  
  The Future: After helping Double-A Frisco to a Texas League crown in 2022, Foscue will move to Triple-A in 2023. The Rangers are loaded for bear in the middle infield anyway, so he's likely to dabble at other positions as well. If he stays healthy, he could make his big league debut late in the year.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 50. Speed: 40. Fielding: 40. Arm: 45.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Foscue starred at Mississippi State and earned a spot on USA Baseball&#39s Collegiate National Team during his sophomore season. The Rangers made him their first-round pick and signed him to an under-slot bonus of $3.25 million, then let him get his feet wet at the alternate training site and at instructional league. He showed a combination of power and hittability during his pro debut but scuffled a bit once he got to Double-A.
  
  Scouting Report: Foscue&#39s season was interrupted by a pair of injuries to his midsection, but when he was on the field, especially at High-A, he showed the ability to hit for both average and power. The latter was especially clear during a torrid stretch in July when he hit nine home runs in eight games. He&#39s got plenty of power from a short swing, but he will fall in love with the home run at times and get out of his approach. Opposing scouts also saw a player with a stiff swing and holes on the outer third of the strike zone, which became somewhat exposed once he got to Double-A. Defensively, Foscue is not a particularly rangy or agile player, but he will make the routine plays and has a fringe-average arm. He&#39s a below-average runner.
  
  The Future: After struggling at Double-A, he&#39s likely to return there to begin 2022. Foscue will have to shore up his hit tool in order to reach his ceiling as an offensive-minded second baseman.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 55. Speed: 40. Fielding: 45. Arm: 45.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Foscue starred at Mississippi State and earned a spot on USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team during his sophomore season. The Rangers made him their first-round pick in 2020 and signed him to an under-slot bonus of $3.25 million before letting him get his feet wet at the alternate training site and in instructional league. Foscue showed a combination of power and hittability in his 2021 pro debut but scuffled a bit once he got to Double-A. He finished the year with a solid stint in the Arizona Fall League.
  
  Scouting Report: Foscue’s season was interrupted by a pair of injuries to his midsection, but when he was on the field, especially at High-A, he showed the ability to hit for both average and power. The latter was especially clear during a torrid stretch in July when he hit nine home runs in eight games. Foscue got plenty of power from a short swing, but he will fall in love with the home run at times and get out of his approach. Opposing scouts also saw a player with a stiff swing and holes on the outer third of the strike zone, which became somewhat exposed once he got to Double-A. Defensively, Foscue is not a particularly rangy or agile player, but he will make the routine plays and has a fringe-average arm. He’s a below-average runner.
  
  The Future: Foscue is likely to return to Double-A to begin 2022. He will have to shore up his hit tool to reach his ceiling as an offensive-minded second baseman.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 55. Running: 40. Fielding: 45. Arm: 45.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Foscue had a stellar sophomore season at Mississippi State in 2019 and was the starting second baseman for USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team that summer. He was off to a blazing start in 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic cut the college season short. The Rangers drafted him 14th overall and signed him for $3.25 million, more than $725,000 under slot. Foscue spent the summer at the Rangers' alternate training site and finished in instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Foscue was the second straight college hitter the Rangers selected in the first round, after Josh Jung was drafted in 2019. Foscue is an offensive-oriented second baseman who has the potential to hit .280 with 25 homers. He doesn't have a prototypical swing and has struggled swinging a wood bat in the past, but he took to a few tweaks the Rangers suggested and earned high praise from team officials. He understands how pitchers will attack him, works counts and covers the entire strike zone. Foscue's offense is well ahead of his defense. He is a below-average runner and fringe-average defender who needs a lot of refinement.
  
  THE FUTURE: Foscue has a chance to launch his pro career at Double-A with a strong showing in spring training.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 55. Running: 40. Fielding: 45. Arm: 45.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Foscue had a stellar sophomore season at Mississippi State in 2019 and was the starting second baseman for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team that summer. He was off to a blazing start in 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic cut the college season short. The Rangers drafted him 14th overall and signed him for $3.25 million, more than $725,000 under slot. Foscue spent the summer at the Rangers’ alternate training site and finished in instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Foscue was the second straight college hitter the Rangers selected in the first round, after Josh Jung was drafted in 2019. Foscue is an offensive-oriented second baseman who has the potential to hit .280 with 25 homers. He doesn’t have a prototypical swing and has struggled swinging a wood bat in the past, but he took to a few tweaks the Rangers suggested and earned high praise from team officials. He understands how pitchers will attack him, works counts and covers the entire strike zone. Foscue’s offense is well ahead of his defense. He is a below-average runner and fringe-average defender who needs a lot of refinement.
  
  THE FUTURE: Foscue has a chance to launch his pro career at Double-A with a strong showing in spring training.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 55. Running: 40. Fielding: 45. Arm: 45.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Foscue had a stellar sophomore season at Mississippi State in 2019 and was the starting second baseman for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team that summer. He was off to a blazing start in 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic cut the college season short. The Rangers drafted him 14th overall and signed him for $3.25 million, more than $725,000 under slot. Foscue spent the summer at the Rangers’ alternate training site and finished in instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Foscue was the second straight college hitter the Rangers selected in the first round, after Josh Jung was drafted in 2019. Foscue is an offensive-oriented second baseman who has the potential to hit .280 with 25 homers. He doesn’t have a prototypical swing and has struggled swinging a wood bat in the past, but he took to a few tweaks the Rangers suggested and earned high praise from team officials. He understands how pitchers will attack him, works counts and covers the entire strike zone. Foscue’s offense is well ahead of his defense. He is a below-average runner and fringe-average defender who needs a lot of refinement.
  
  THE FUTURE: Foscue has a chance to launch his pro career at Double-A with a strong showing in spring training.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  You have to be a standout hitter to be a day one prospect as a second baseman, and Foscue fits the bill. After a mediocre freshman season with Mississippi State (.241/.332/.353), Foscue took off in 2019 when he hit 14 home runs and posted a .338/.402/.582 slash line while finishing fifth in the Southeastern Conference in hits and third in total bases. Scouts believe Foscue will be an above-average hitter, though he does it with a fairly significant leg kick in his load and an approach that gets pull-heavy. Evaluators thought Foscue quieted the lower half in his 14 games this spring. His strikeout and walk rates were significantly better than he’s shown before, but it was a very small sample. Foscue has plus raw power in the tank, though scouts wonder how much of that he’ll tap into during games with a wood bat. He played 12 games last summer with Team USA and hit just .255/.288/.362 with wood. Foscue will need to improve his defense to stick at second base, and there’s some concern that he’ll wind up in an outfield corner. Coaches praise Foscue’s work ethic and baseball IQ, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he took the steps necessary to stick in the dirt. If Foscue were lefthanded or a bit bigger (he is listed at 6-foot, 203 pounds) it would be easier to see him in the back of the first round. A team that thinks he’s a plus hitter could still take him there, but it is more likely he goes in the second.
• December, 2019 Scouting Report
  You have to be a standout hitter to be a day one prospect as a second baseman, and Foscue fits the bill. After a mediocre freshman season with Mississippi State (.241/.332/.353), Foscue took off in 2019 when he hit 14 home runs and posted a .338/.402/.582 slash line while finishing fifth in the Southeastern Conference in hits and third in total bases. Scouts believe Foscue will be an above-average hitter, though he does it with a fairly significant leg kick in his load and an approach that gets pull-heavy. Evaluators thought Foscue quieted the lower half in his 14 games this spring. His strikeout and walk rates were significantly better than he’s shown before, but it was a very small sample. Foscue has plus raw power in the tank, though scouts wonder how much of that he’ll tap into during games with a wood bat. He played 12 games last summer with Team USA and hit just .255/.288/.362 with wood. Foscue will need to improve his defense to stick at second base, and there’s some concern that he’ll wind up in an outfield corner. Coaches praise Foscue’s work ethic and baseball IQ, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he took the steps necessary to stick in the dirt. If Foscue were lefthanded or a bit bigger (he is listed at 6-foot, 203 pounds) it would be easier to see him in the back of the first round. A team that thinks he’s a plus hitter could still take him there, but it is more likely he goes in the second.