Jurickson Profar
Jurickson Barthelomeus Profar (born February 20, 1993) is a professional baseball utility player from Curaçao who plays as an outfielder and infielder for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). A switch-hitter who throws right-handed, he measures 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 184 pounds. Known by the nickname "El Patrón," Profar has been recognized for his versatility across multiple positions, including left field, second base, and shortstop, throughout his career.[1][2][1] Profar signed with the Texas Rangers as a 16-year-old international free agent in August 2009 after leaving his home in Willemstad, Curaçao. He made his MLB debut with the Rangers on September 2, 2012, becoming one of the youngest players in franchise history to do so, and spent the next seven seasons primarily with Texas, establishing himself as a top prospect before transitioning to a regular role. After being traded to the Oakland Athletics in 2019, where he hit a career-high-tying 21 home runs, Profar joined the San Diego Padres in 2020, played for the Colorado Rockies in 2023, and returned to the Padres in 2024, contributing to their playoff appearances. On January 23, 2025, he signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Braves, marking a new chapter in his career.[3][1][3][4] Profar's career breakthrough came in 2024 with the Padres, when he posted career-best numbers including a .280 batting average, 158 hits, 24 home runs, 85 RBIs, and an .839 OPS over 158 games, earning his first All-Star selection, the NL Silver Slugger Award for outfielders, and a 14th-place finish in NL MVP voting. Earlier in his tenure with Texas and Oakland, he demonstrated consistent contact skills and plate discipline but struggled with power and injuries. In 2025, however, his season was interrupted when he received an 80-game suspension on March 31 for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug, the first such violation in his career; he returned to the Braves lineup on July 2 and finished the year with a .245 average, 14 home runs, and 43 RBIs in 80 games. Through 1,199 career MLB games as of the end of 2025, Profar has compiled a .245 batting average, 125 home runs, 487 RBIs, and 66 stolen bases.[5][3][6][3]Early life
Birth and upbringing in Curaçao
Jurickson Barthelomeus Profar was born on February 20, 1993, in Willemstad, Curaçao, which was then part of the Netherlands Antilles.[1][7] Curaçao, a small Caribbean island with a population of around 150,000, has long been a global hotbed for baseball talent, producing more Major League Baseball players per capita than any other country since 2000.[8] The island's vibrant baseball culture stems from robust youth development programs, including annual events like Curaçao Baseball Week, where young players train alongside major leaguers and compete in local leagues that emphasize skill-building from an early age.[9][10] This environment profoundly influenced Profar, immersing him in a community where baseball is a central cultural pursuit, fostering discipline and passion among children through school programs and neighborhood fields.[11] Profar grew up in a baseball-oriented family with two younger brothers, Juremi (born January 30, 1996) and Jurdrick, both of whom later pursued professional careers in the sport.[12][13] The brothers shared a close bond, often playing together and representing Curaçao in the Little League World Series—Profar in 2004, Juremi in 2007 and 2008, and Jurdrick in 2019—highlighting the family's deep involvement in the island's youth baseball scene.[14][15] From a young age, Profar was exposed to baseball through local leagues and school activities in Willemstad, where he began playing organized ball around age 11.[16] His switch-hitting ability developed during these early years; as a talented right-handed hitter, he was encouraged by peers to bat left-handed to balance games, honing versatility that became a hallmark of his style.[17]Signing with the Texas Rangers and move to the United States
In 2009, at the age of 16, Jurickson Profar emerged as one of the top international amateur prospects, with his skills showcased during the lead-up to Major League Baseball's July 2 international signing period, drawing widespread attention from scouts across multiple teams.[][18] His prior successes, including leading Curaçao to the 2004 Little League World Series title, had already placed him on radars, but his performances in regional and international evaluations that year solidified his status as a high-value talent.[][19] On July 2, 2009, the Texas Rangers signed Profar as an international free agent to a contract worth a $1.55 million signing bonus, outbidding several competitors and positioning him as a shortstop rather than the pitcher some teams envisioned.[][20][21] Following the signing, Profar relocated from Willemstad, Curaçao, to the United States to begin his professional journey, marking a significant transition for the teenager far from home. At just 16, he faced the emotional challenges of leaving his family behind, adjusting to a new cultural environment, and navigating independence in an unfamiliar country.[][22] Fortunately, his fluency in English, alongside Dutch, Spanish, and Papiamentu, minimized language barriers, allowing him to communicate effectively with coaches and teammates without needing a translator.[][23] Profar's initial training with the Rangers focused on honing his abilities as a switch-hitting infielder, emphasizing physical development to build strength and refine his versatile skill set. Standing at 6 feet and 165 pounds upon signing, he participated in instructional leagues and worked at the Rangers' Dominican academy in the fall of 2009 to adapt to professional routines.[][22][24] This preparation laid the groundwork for his minor league progression, where his advanced instincts and athleticism quickly stood out.[]Professional career
Minor league career
Profar signed with the Texas Rangers as an international free agent on July 2, 2009, for a $1.55 million bonus and was assigned to the Rangers' Dominican Summer League affiliate that year, though he recorded no official statistics due to the late signing date.[25][26] In 2010, at age 17, Profar made his professional debut with the short-season Class A Spokane Indians of the Northwest League, where he batted .250 with four home runs, 19 doubles, and eight stolen bases in 63 games, showcasing his switch-hitting potential and defensive skills at shortstop.[26] The following year, 2011, he advanced to low Class A with the Hickory Crawdads of the South Atlantic League, skipping extended spring training; as the youngest player in the league at 18, he hit .286 with 12 home runs, 37 doubles, eight triples, 23 stolen bases, and a .883 OPS in 115 games, earning South Atlantic League Most Valuable Player honors and a spot on Baseball America's Minor League All-Star team as shortstop.[26][27][28] Profar's rapid ascent continued in 2012 when the Rangers promoted him directly to Double-A with the Frisco RoughRiders of the Texas League, bypassing high Class A entirely; again the youngest player in the league at 19, he posted a .281 average with 14 home runs, 26 doubles, seven triples, 16 stolen bases, and a .820 OPS over 126 games, primarily at shortstop while beginning to demonstrate positional versatility with time at second and third base.[26][24] Following the regular season, he participated in the Arizona Fall League with the Surprise Saguaros, batting .267 with two home runs and 20 RBI in 22 games, further honing his skills against advanced competition.[26] Throughout his minor league progression from 2010 to 2012, Profar avoided significant injuries and was recognized as the Rangers' No. 1 prospect by Baseball America in both 2012 and 2013, while ranking as the organization's top overall talent per MLB.com ahead of the 2013 season; his well-rounded profile—combining contact hitting, emerging power, speed, and plus defense—established him as baseball's consensus No. 1 prospect entering 2013.[24][29][30]Texas Rangers tenure (2012–2018)
Jurickson Profar made his Major League Baseball debut with the Texas Rangers on September 2, 2012, at the age of 19 years and 195 days, starting at second base in place of the injured Ian Kinsler against the Cleveland Indians. In his first at-bat, Profar hit a solo home run off starter Zach McAllister, traveling 391 feet to right field, making him one of the youngest players to homer in his debut. He finished the game 2-for-4 with the homer and a double, contributing to an 8-3 Rangers victory. Over the remainder of the season, Profar appeared in eight more games, batting .176 with one home run and two RBI in 17 at-bats, showcasing early promise as the Rangers' top prospect transitioning from shortstop to the infield.[31][3] In 2013, Profar emerged as a key contributor for the Rangers, playing 85 games primarily at second base and shortstop while batting .234 with six home runs, 26 RBI, and a .644 OPS, helping the team reach the American League Division Series. His versatility and switch-hitting ability earned him consideration as a rising star, though injuries began to surface late in the season; he appeared in four postseason games during the ALDS against the Oakland Athletics without recording a hit. Profar's early tenure highlighted his potential as a multi-position infielder, but it was cut short by persistent shoulder issues entering the next spring.[3][1] Profar's 2014–2016 seasons were severely hampered by injuries, particularly to his right shoulder, limiting him to just 90 games combined. In spring training 2014, he tore the subscapularis muscle in his shoulder, sidelining him for the entire year without surgery at the time. The injury recurred, leading to a torn labrum diagnosis and surgery in February 2015, causing him to miss all of 2015 on the 60-day disabled list. He returned in mid-June 2016 after extensive rehabilitation, including minor league assignments, and played 90 games across second base, shortstop, and left field—a positional shift to accommodate the Rangers' lineup—batting .239 with five home runs and 20 RBI. Additional setbacks, including hamstring strains, further restricted his availability during this period.[32][33][34] By 2017, lingering effects from prior injuries limited Profar to 22 games, where he batted .172 with no home runs before being optioned to Triple-A Round Rock. He showed signs of recovery in 2018, enjoying a career-best season in 146 games as a utility player across third base, left field, shortstop, and second base, hitting .254 with 20 home runs, 77 RBI, and 10 stolen bases while posting a .793 OPS. His performance came amid salary arbitration negotiations, where he signed a one-year, $3.35 million contract to avoid a hearing. Following the season, on December 21, 2018, the Rangers traded Profar to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for minor leaguer Eli White and cash considerations, clearing a spot amid roster adjustments.[3] During his six seasons with the Rangers, Profar appeared in 352 games, batting .240 with 32 home runs, 130 RBI, and 15 stolen bases, evolving from a heralded shortstop prospect to a versatile utility contributor hampered by injuries.| Year | Games | AVG | HR | RBI | Positions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 9 | .176 | 1 | 2 | 2B |
| 2013 | 85 | .234 | 6 | 26 | 2B/SS |
| 2014 | 0 | - | - | - | Injured |
| 2015 | 0 | - | - | - | Injured |
| 2016 | 90 | .239 | 5 | 20 | 2B/SS/LF |
| 2017 | 22 | .172 | 0 | 5 | 2B/3B |
| 2018 | 146 | .254 | 20 | 77 | 3B/LF/SS/2B |