Jurickson Profar
Profar with the San Diego Padres in 2022
Free agent
Outfielder
Born: (1993-02-20) February 20, 1993
Willemstad, Curaçao
Bats: Switch
Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 2, 2012, for the Texas Rangers
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Batting average.238
Home runs87
Runs batted in359
Teams

Jurickson Barthelomeus Profar (born February 20, 1993) is a Curaçaoan professional baseball outfielder currently playing for the Estrellas Orientales of the Dominican Professional Baseball League. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, and Colorado Rockies.

Profar was born in Willemstad and has been involved in organized baseball from a young age, representing Curaçao at the Little League World Series in 2004 and 2005. In 2009, when he was 16 years old, Profar signed with the Rangers as an international free agent. He was called up to the major leagues in 2012 and received partial playing time in his first two seasons as a utility player. After suffering a shoulder injury, Profar missed two full seasons and did not rejoin the Rangers until mid-2016 when he filled an active roster vacancy. Texas continued to use Profar sparingly until 2018 when he played more than 100 games in a season for the first time in his career.

After ten years in the Rangers organization, Profar was traded to the Athletics for the 2019 season. He received a more static role at second base with Oakland, but he was traded to the Padres after struggling on both offense and defense. Upon arriving in San Diego, Profar was transitioned from a utility infielder to an outfielder, primarily playing in left field. In 2022, he set career highs in plate appearances and hits.

Early years

Profar participated in both the 2004 and 2005 Little League World Series. He helped the Pabao Little League team from Willemstad, Curaçao, beat the Conejo Valley East Little League team from Thousand Oaks, California to win the championship in 2004. He helped lead the team to the championship game again in 2005, but this team lost to West Oahu Little League from Ewa Beach, Hawaii.[1]

Professional career

Minor leagues

Profar signed with the Texas Rangers on July 2, 2009.[2][3] Other teams wanted to sign Profar as a pitcher, but the Rangers signed him as a shortstop, his preferred position.[4] He spent his first professional season in 2010 playing for the Spokane Indians. He batted .250 with four home runs and 23 runs batted in (RBIs) in 63 games.

Prior to the 2011 season, Profar was ranked by Baseball America as the Texas Rangers second best overall prospect and the 74th best overall.[5][6] He played the 2011 season for the Hickory Crawdads. He was selected to represent the Rangers at the 2011 All-Star Futures Game.[7] Baseball America ranked him as the 12th best prospect in baseball during their midseason top 50 list.[8] He finished the season hitting .286/.390/.493 with 12 home runs and 65 runs batted in and was named the South Atlantic League's most valuable player.[9] He was named the shortstop on Baseball America's 2011 Minor League All Star team.[10] He was named to appear in the 2012 All-Star Futures Game.[11]

Texas Rangers

2012–2013

On August 31, 2012, Profar was called up to the Rangers as major league rosters expanded and as a possible postseason addition. He is the first player born in 1993 to play in the majors and was the youngest player active in the major leagues.[12] In his major league debut, Profar started at second base in place of Ian Kinsler, who was out due to back stiffness, and hit a home run off of Zach McAllister in his first major league at bat. He then later doubled in his second at-bat, and went 2-for-4 for the game.[13] In nine games, Profar batted .176 with a home run and two RBIs while playing five games at second base and three games at shortstop.[14]

Profar with the Texas Rangers in 2016

Profar started the 2013 season in Triple-A Round Rock. In May 2013, the Rangers called up Profar while putting Kinsler on the 15-day disabled list. In a May 26 game at Seattle, he hit his second career home run off Hisashi Iwakuma while batting leadoff for the first time in his major league career.[15] In 88 games, Profar batted .234 with six home runs and 26 RBIs. He played four positions in 2013 with shortstop, second base, third base, and left field while also serving as the designated hitter for 20 games.[16]

2014–2016

After the 2013 season, the Rangers traded Kinsler, anticipating that Profar would become the Rangers' starting second baseman.[17]

Profar started the 2014 season on the 60-day disabled list, and was not expected to return until mid-June. On May 22, the Rangers organization announced Profar had reinjured his shoulder, and as a result missed the entire 2014 season.[18] On February 23, 2015, Profar underwent surgery on his shoulder and missed the entire 2015 season.[19]

After missing a total of two seasons due to the shoulder injury, Profar was optioned to the team's Triple-A affiliate Round Rock Express on March 21, 2016. On May 27, 2016, the Rangers called Profar up to the majors as a replacement for second baseman Rougned Odor, who was suspended by MLB for seven games for punching the Toronto Blue Jays' José Bautista. Profar went 1-for-5 in his return against the Pittsburgh Pirates the same day. He hit his first home run of the season on May 31, 2016, against the Cleveland Indians.[20] His performance during Odor's suspension earned him a regular roster spot. By June, Hanser Alberto was optioned back to Round Rock.[21] He played five positions in the field (left field, shortstop, first base, second base, and third base) while also serving as the designated hitter for six games.[22]

2017–2018

In 2017, Profar lost playing time in left field to Ryan Rua and Delino DeShields Jr.[23] In 2018, Profar made the Rangers' major league roster out of spring training as a utility infielder. On April 16, Profar left the game after being upended after a slide. Profar was placed on concussion protocol shortly thereafter.[24] In his first full season at the Major League level, Profar hit .254/.335/.458 with 20 homeruns, while appearing as a left fielder, shortstop, first baseman, second baseman, and third baseman.

Profar was named the 2018 Richard Durrett Hardest Working Man Award winner by the DFW chapter of the BBWAA.[25]

Oakland Athletics

Profar with the Athletics in 2019

On December 21, 2018, the Rangers traded Profar to the Oakland Athletics in a three-team deal in which the Rangers acquired Brock Burke, Kyle Bird, Yoel Espinal, Eli White, and $750,000 of international signing bonus pool space and the Tampa Bay Rays acquired Emilio Pagan, Rollie Lacy, and a competitive balance pick in the 2019 MLB draft.[26] The Athletics played Profar almost exclusively at second base to fill the void left by free agent Jed Lowrie. After struggling on defense and to keep his batting average above .200, Profar was relegated to a platoon role when the Athletics called up Corban Joseph. On defense in 2019, he had a -10 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) rating, the lowest in the major leagues among second basemen.[27]

San Diego Padres

On December 2, 2019, the Athletics traded Profar to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Austin Allen and a player to be named later or cash considerations.[28]

Profar with the Padres in 2021

In 2020 for the Padres, Profar slashed .278/.343/.428 with seven home runs and 25 RBIs in 56 games. He played 39 games in the outfield while playing second base for 17 games and first base once.[29][30]

On January 27, 2021, Profar re-signed with the Padres on a three-year, $21 million contract.[31] Profar struggled in 2021 with a slash line of .227/.329/.320.[32] In the off-season, he changed his usual regimen, and his batting stance as well.[33]

Following a collision with teammate CJ Abrams on July 7, 2022, Profar collapsed while walking off the field and was placed on the seven day injured list under the concussion protocol.[34] On August 9, Profar make a diving catch in the ninth inning, saving at least one run - a run which would have given the lead to the Padres' opponent, the San Francisco Giants. In the bottom of the inning, Profar singled before teammate Manny Machado hit a game winning home run.[35] On November 7, Profar opted out of his contract and became a free agent.[36]

Colorado Rockies

On March 21, 2023, Profar signed a one-year, $7.75 million contract with the Colorado Rockies.[37] In 111 games with Colorado, he hit .236/.316/.364 with 8 home runs and 39 RBI. On August 27, Profar was released by Colorado following the promotion of Hunter Goodman.[38]

San Diego Padres (second stint)

On September 1, 2023, Profar signed a minor league contract to return to the San Diego Padres organization.[39] After four games for the Triple–A El Paso Chihuahuas, the Padres selected Profar's contract on September 8, adding him to the major league roster.[40] He became a free agent following the season.

International career

After Team Netherlands advanced to the semi-finals for the 2013 World Baseball Classic, manager Hensley Meulens made a public plea to have Profar on the Dutch roster as he was born in the Dutch Caribbean region of Curacao. The Rangers gave permission for Profar to be on the roster shortly after.[41] Profar again represented Netherlands at the World Baseball Classic in the 2017 and 2023 editions.[42][43]

Personal life

Profar has two brothers. Juremi was signed by the Rangers in 2012[44] and currently plays for the Karachi Monarchs in Baseball United.[45] Both of them, as well as the youngest brother Jurdrick, have represented Curacao in the Little League World Series.[46]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Former Little League Baseball World Series Standout Jurickson Profar Makes His Mark in First Professional Baseball Season". Littleleague.org. October 1, 2010. Archived from the original on August 9, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  2. ↑ "The Latin American Talent Market: Financial Shadows Lurk As Rangers Ink Jurickson Profar". Bbtia.com. July 3, 2009. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Daily Dish: Jurickson Profar Paying Off For Rangers". Baseballamerica.com. May 26, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Rosenthal: Blue Jays should make Red Sox pay for Farrell - MLB News | FOX Sports on MSN". Msn.foxsports.com. September 10, 2012. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  5. ↑ Fitt, Aaron (December 1, 2010). "Baseball American Texas Rangers Top 2011 Prospects". Baseballamerica.com. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  6. ↑ "2011 Top 100 Prospects: 61-80". Baseballamerica.com. February 23, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Perez, Profar represent Texas in Futures Game". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Midseason Top 50 Prospects List". Baseballamerica.com. July 7, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  9. ↑ Bowman, John (December 8, 2011). "Rangers' top prospect Jurickson Profar is the Sally League MVP: Fan's view". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  10. ↑ J.J. Cooper and Matt Eddy (September 16, 2011). "2011 Minor League All-Star Team". Baseball America. Archived from the original on August 1, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2011.
  11. ↑ Mayo, Jonathan (May 24, 2013). "Prospects pack rosters for 2012 All-Star Futures Game | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Rangers Make Heralded Jurickson Profar The Youngest Player In the Majors". Atlantablackstar.com. September 1, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  13. ↑ "What a debut! Rangers' mega prospect Jurickson Profar homers in first at-bat". September 2, 2012.
  14. ↑ "Jurickson Profar 2012 Fielding Game Logs".
  15. ↑ Fort Worth Star-Telegram (May 26, 2013). "Foul Territory: Sunday's Rangers-Mariners lineups: Jurickson Profar batting first". Sportsblogs.star-telegram.com. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  16. ↑ "Jurickson Profar 2013 Fielding Game Logs".
  17. ↑ Miller, Doug (November 22, 2013). "Blocked no more, talented youngsters ready to shine: Tigers' Castellanos, Rangers' Profar among those with apparent clear paths to bigs". MLB.com. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  18. ↑ Sullivan, T.R. (May 22, 2014). "Prince out for season; Profar likely done, too". MLB.com. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
  19. ↑ Sullivan, T.R. (February 23, 2015). "Profar to miss season after shoulder surgery". MLB.com. Archived from the original on March 12, 2017. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  20. ↑ Wilson, Jeff. "Profar begins 2016 season in Minors". star-telegram.com/. Star Telegram. Retrieved March 21, 2016.
  21. ↑ "Riding Through the Farm: June 10". October 27, 2016.
  22. ↑ "Jurickson Profar 2016 Fielding Game Logs".
  23. ↑ "UPDATE: Jon Daniels on why Rangers demoted Jurickson Profar to Triple-A". April 30, 2017.
  24. ↑ "Jurickson Profar in concussion protocol after hard slide". MLB. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  25. ↑ "Jurickson Profar is the recipient of the 2018 Richard Durrett Hardest Working Man Award". twitter.com. December 19, 2018. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Rangers deal Profar to A's in 3-team trade". Texas Rangers. December 21, 2018. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Major League Leaderboards » 2019 » Second Basemen » Fielding Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball". Fangraphs.com. January 1, 2019. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  28. ↑ "Padres Acquire INF Jurickson Profar From Oakland Athletics In Exchange For C Austin Allen". MLB.com. December 2, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Jurickson Profar 2020 Fielding Game Logs".
  30. ↑ "Padres free agent profiles: Jurickson Profar". October 30, 2020.
  31. ↑ "Padres Re-Sign Jurickson Profar". January 27, 2021.
  32. ↑ https://www.mlb.com/padres/player/jurickson-profar-595777
  33. ↑ "Padres' Jurickson Profar a different player in 2022/Padres". June 18, 2022.
  34. ↑ "Padres' Jurickson Profar on IL after concussion from scary collision". July 9, 2022.
  35. ↑ "Padres beat Giants on Manny Machado's walk-off HR". Reuters. August 10, 2022.
  36. ↑ "Profar, Suarez Opt Out of Padres Contracts to Become Free Agents". nbcsandiego.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  37. ↑ "Profar agrees to 1-year deal with Rockies". MLB.com. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Rockies call up Hunter Goodman, release Jurickson Profar". purplerow.com. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Padres sign Jurickson Profar to minor league deal". espn.com. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  40. ↑ "Padres' Jurickson Profar: Officially back with Padres". cbssports.com. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  41. ↑ Jason Coskrey (March 18, 2013). "Dutch prospect Profar aiming to prolong WBC fairy tale". The Japan Times. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  42. ↑ Associated, The (March 8, 2017). "Netherlands, Israel advance at World Baseball Classic after dramatic Dutch win". The Star. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  43. ↑ "Grote namen in voorselectie Koninkrijksteam voor World Baseball Classic – HonkbalSoftbal.nl". HonkbalSoftbal.nl (in Dutch). January 10, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  44. ↑ "Rangers sign 16-year-old brother of top prospect Jurickson Profar". Dallas Morning News. September 6, 2012. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  45. ↑ "Bravos: Nuevo refuerzo arriba a la Fortaleza".
  46. ↑ ESPN: Jurickson, Juremi and now Judrick -- There's another Profar ready to rock Williamsport
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