FRISCO, Texas -- Justin Foscue’s offseason trip to Hawaii had one downside to it: He didn’t get to play golf. But that was pretty much by design, he said.   

“Right now, I don't have any clubs yet,” Foscue told reporters at the Rangers’ Winter Caravan stop at Double-A Frisco’s Riders Field. “I told myself I would buy myself clubs when I make the big leagues. So that's why I gotta get there first, and then I can move my focus to buying clubs, getting fitted and all that. And then I'll play some rounds with everybody.” 

Luckily for Foscue, the Rangers’ No. 6-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline, some brand-new golf clubs might be in the near future. The infielder was added to the 40-man roster this offseason and heads into Spring Training in a prime position to break camp with the big league club. 

The Rangers’ first-round pick in the COVID-shortened 2020 MLB Draft, Foscue has been on a steady trajectory since making his professional debut in 2021. Now, with Texas' glaring hole at designated hitter, the 24-year-old is ready to prove he can contribute at the big league level. 

“Last year, I really felt like I thought I was going to debut, and it didn't happen,” Foscue said. “So this year, from the things everybody's been telling me, it seems like I have a shot. It definitely builds that excitement towards the season. I definitely want [to contribute]. I'm definitely excited to just debut in general and be a part of the team. So it's definitely an exciting time for me.”

It’s easy to see why Foscue has a shot beyond the Rangers’ individual needs. Foscue is nothing if not a hitter. 

He played just 62 games in his professional debut in 2021 due to injuries, but has been as consistent as ever in the following two seasons. In ‘22 with Double-A Frisco, he slashed .288/.367/.483 with an .850 OPS. With Triple-A Round Rock this past season, he hit .266/.394/.468 (.862 OPS) while drawing more walks (85) than strikeouts (70). 

“I think average is a weird number or weird statistic to base who I am a hitter off of,” Foscue said of his progression. “I started off the year 0-for-17 and hit the ball at some people, so if you take away those, I feel like I hit .290. I think I just got on base about four out of 10 times, and that's what I pride myself on. Just being a complete hitter, walking a lot, not striking out a lot. I’m just trying to be as complete a hitter as I can when I get to The Show. I'm putting up competitive at-bats day in and day out and helping the team win.”

A natural second baseman, Foscue appeared in games at second base (70), third base (35), designated hitter (nine) and first base (nine) with the Express in 2023. He knows versatility might be the quickest way to the big leagues for him. 

He noted he’s worked mainly at the corners this offseason, trying to get used to positions he hasn’t played as often. 

“We all know who's playing second base,” Foscue joked about veteran Marcus Semien. “But these next couple of weeks before camp starts, I’ll just be working around first, mainly, and then obviously getting my work in at second and third just to kind of be versatile and be prepared whenever and wherever I’m needed.”

No matter what, Foscue has to earn a spot on the roster in big league camp, whether that’s as a utility infielder or as the Opening Day designated hitter. 

“I love it,” he said of potentially being a DH. “I'm not going to [complain] about it. I mean, all you've got to worry about is just going out and having four or five at-bats a night. That's the best part about who I am as a player. I hit. So I wouldn't complain at all.”

Adrián Beltré held the record for most hits by any player born outside the U.S. before he was surpassed by Albert Pujols. Who did Beltré pass to briefly top that list?

A) Ichiro Suzuki
B) Rafael Palmeiro
C) Rod Carew
D) Roberto Clemente

Wyatt Langford, the Rangers’ No. 2 prospect will attend his first big league Spring Training, the club announced Wednesday.

Langford, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft out of the University of Florida, hit .360 with a 1.157 OPS in 44 games across four levels of the Minors in his debut professional season. He enters big league camp with an opportunity to compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster. 

Nine other prospects received invitations to big league camp:

RHP Jack Leiter (No. 5 prospect)
RHP Daniel Robert
RHP Emiliano Teodo (No. 22)
LHP Grant Wolfram
C Liam Hicks
1B Blaine Crim
1B Abimelec Ortiz (No. 14)
INF Davis Wendzel
OF Aaron Zavala (No. 11)

A) Suzuki

In 2018, Beltré briefly passed Ichiro atop the list of most hits by a foreign-born player.

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