Breaking; Just Now Braves Secured Deal With MLB’s Most Resurgent Hitter And Fans Fav.
In 2009, Jurickson Profar finally lived up to his potential with the Texas Rangers, showcasing a remarkable transformation at the plate. His average exit velocity surged to a career-high 91.1 mph, signaling a more aggressive approach while maintaining his well-known plate discipline. This shift in mindset paid off, as his hard-hit percentage jumped from 31.8% in the previous season to an impressive 44.4%. The consistent, high-quality contact led to a .364 expected weighted on-base average (xwOBA), nearly identical to his actual wOBA of .365—demonstrating the legitimacy of his offensive breakout.
Profar’s 2009 season was a milestone in many aspects. He set career highs in Baseball-Reference Wins Above Replacement (bWAR) with 3.6, played a career-best 158 games, and logged 668 plate appearances. His versatility in the field remained a significant asset, with 148 starts in left field and two at first base. Throughout his career, Profar has proven his adaptability, starting 514 games in the outfield—468 in left, 26 in right, and 20 in center. Additionally, he has made 192 starts at second base and 93 at shortstop earlier in his career. His infield experience also includes 74 starts at third base and 52 at first base, alongside his 20 starts in center field. This unique versatility gives Profar the rare distinction of having started at every position in Major League Baseball except for pitcher and catcher.
Despite being considered 2023’s least valuable player by FanGraphs Wins Above Replacement (fWAR), Profar turned things around dramatically. He accepted a modest $1 million base salary with the San Diego Padres last spring. From there, he became a key contributor to the Padres’ postseason push, earning his first All-Star selection along the way.
However, questions remain about whether Profar can maintain his newfound success. He will be 32 years old on Opening Day, and while he showed resilience by bouncing back from a rough .196 average in August with a stronger September, his performance dipped again in the postseason. His lack of speed and limited defensive range mean his value moving forward will largely hinge on his ability to keep hitting at a high level.
