BARTONVILLE, Texas – Last spring, Justin Foscue crossed a landmark achievement off his to-do list when he made his Major League debut with Texas against Houston on April 5. Two nights later, before a national television audience on ESPN, the Mississippi State product got his first hit and RBI, a run-scoring single off Astros closer Josh Hader in a 3-1 loss at Globe Life Field.
However, after delivering that hit, things got interesting for the ex-Bulldog. Foscue suffered a left oblique strain in that at-bat and landed on the 10-day injured list. Five days later, he was placed on the 60-day IL and once activated in late June was sent to Triple-A Round Rock. On July 20, he returned to the show and played in five games before heading back to Triple-A. Foscue’s third and final stint as a Ranger started on Aug. 31.
“It was definitely a rollercoaster of a year and a disappointing debut season, but listen, I’m not going to be defined by 45 at-bats,” Foscue said. “I’m excited to prove that over the course of my career. That’s the challenge of a full career, right? You’re going to have ups and downs. It’s about how you respond from those things that’s going to make you the kind of player you’re going to be.”
And despite struggling in his first 15 big league games, he knows getting his first taste of life in the Majors is an experience which will only benefit him going forward.
“Just the feeling I’ve already accomplished one of my lifelong goals and that’s behind me (is great),” he said. “(I’m going to) focus on getting better and learning from last year, not really stressing about getting to the big leagues because I accomplished that. That’s the main difference from last offseason to this offseason.”
One huge change for Foscue since last season is that fellow MSU product Nathaniel Lowe, Texas’ starting first baseman since 2021, was traded to Washington in the off-season. Justin is going to miss Lowe’s mentorship and spending time with him off the field, but he’s also looking forward to being teammates with his replacement at first, Jake Burger, acquired in a trade with Miami, who he’s been working out with this winter.
“He (Lowe) was such a great guy and great teammate, just being there for me my rookie year and being a great dude to hang out with off the field, it was awesome,” Foscue said. “Look, I get it, (baseball) is a business. He’s going to go get another opportunity somewhere else, but then we got Jake Burger, who has been in the big leagues a few years. I’ve been working out with him in Nashville.”
After Foscue’s first big league hit and RBI, Rangers’ manager Bruce Bochy was asked about Foscue, and the veteran skipper who has won four World Series, the most recent in 2023 with Texas, talked about how the moment not being too big for Justin left a lasting impression on him.
“That’s cool to hear him say that,” Foscue said. “I’ve been in big moments before. I’ve played in the College World Series. I’ve been in Super Regionals. Those experiences have helped me become the player I am today. Being in the big leagues last year and not doing so well, I’m going to learn from that.”
Foscue admits he isn’t sure where he fits on the Ranger roster in 2025 but will get work at first, second, and third base once spring training begins in Surprise, Arizona, in early February. One highlight from his offseason was the holiday trip he and wife McKenzie took to New York City.
“We just decided to go there for the holidays, spend time with each other. That was awesome,” he said. “(We went to) Rockefeller Center, ice skating, to see a couple Broadway shows. We had the full New York experience. That (ice skating) was probably one of my favorite parts. It was fun.”
And no matter what his role is with the 2025 Rangers, one thing about Foscue which never changes is the immense pride he has in his State roots.
“Look, Mississippi State baseball is going to be, for a long time, one of the perennial college baseball programs to go to and play,” he said. “Just the history of that program and the players that it gets out of that, that’s where you go to develop as a baseball player and get experience so you can get to the big leagues.”
Stephen Hunt is a freelance writer based in Frisco, Texas.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
