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Texas Tech's Jace Jung Taken in the First-Round of the MLB Draft by Detroit

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On Sunday night, Texas Tech's Jace Jung became the third first-round Major League Baseball Draft pick in program history as he was selected 12th overall by the Detroit Tigers.

The sophomore infielder from San Antonio, Texas joins his brother Josh Jung (8th, Texas Rangers/2019) and Donald Harris (5th, Texas Rangers/1989) as Red Raiders to be first-round MLB draft choices.

Sunday's selection marks the 60th MLB Draft selection for Texas Tech since Tim Tadlock was named the head coach of his alma mater prior to the 2013 season.

Jung owned one of the more decorated careers in program history. After his true freshman season was cut short in 2020 due to COVID, Jung's 2021 season saw him breakout, being named the Big 12 Player of the Year and a consensus All-American. He was also selected as the NCBWA National Freshman Hitter of the Year, NCBWA District 7 Co-Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Dick Howser Trophy. Additionally, he was a unanimous All-Big 12 First Team and Academic All-Big 12 First Team selection, an NCBWA District 7 First Team pick and earned ABCA All-Region.

As a freshman in 2021, Jung led the Red Raiders with 21 home runs and 67 RBI in a season where he started all 56 games. He also led the team with 49 walks, and added 10 doubles and a triple to finish with a .337 batting average.

Jung entered 2022 with much hype and backed it up by being the only position player to be named a preseason and postseason D1Baseball First Team All-American. The left-handed hitter owned a .335 batting average to go with 14 home runs and 57 RBI. The sophomore had a .481 on-base percentage behind 59 walks, tied fifth-most in the NCAA.

Jung was named a first-team All-American by three organizations in 2022 as well as a second and third-teamer. He was named to the All-Big 12 first team for the second consecutive season and an Academic All-American for the second-straight year by CoSIDA.

Matt Miller, the highest drafted pitcher in Texas Tech history, was also a selection by the Detroit Tigers at No. 41 overall. Two of the four highest draft choices have come from the Tigers, while the top two were picks by the Texas Rangers.

The MLB Draft continues on Monday at 1 p.m. with rounds 3-10 and concludes Tuesday starting at 1 p.m. with rounds 11-20.