Position: OF B/T: S/R
Age: 31 (2/20/1993)
2024 Traditional Stats: .280/.380/.459/.839, 24 HR, 85 RBI, 10 SB, 668 PA
2024 Advanced Stats: 3.6 bWAR, 4.3 fWAR, 139 wRC+, 15.1 SO%, 11.4 BB%, .302 BABIP, .364 xwOBA, -6 OAA (LF)
Jurickson Profar had the best season of his 11-year career in 2024, setting personal bests in batting average, home runs, OPS, bWAR and fWAR. He made the All-Star team for the first time, won a Silver Slugger and even riled up Los Angeles Dodgers fans in the playoffs.
It was a long time coming for the Curaçao native who helped his country to a Little League World Series title at 11-years-old, was drafted at 16 and debuted with the Texas Rangers at 19 as one of the hottest prospects in baseball, but didn’t live up to the hype.
Oddly enough, his best year came right after one of his worst. He produced -1.6 fWAR in 2023 over 125 games with the Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres, hitting nine home runs and posting a .689 OPS. He was poor in the outfield as well, with -13 Outs Above Average.
Still, the Padres, in search of outfield help last winter after trading Juan Soto and Trent Grisham to the New York Yankees, signed him to a one-year, $1 million deal and installed him as their everyday left fielder. Years ago, Profar could play multiple positions in the infield and outfield, but those days appear gone. He hasn’t started more than 10 games at first base since 2021 or at second since 2020. Profar also hasn’t played shortstop or third base since 2018.
The switch hitter produced from both sides of the plate in 2024, posting an .885 OPS vs. lefties and an .823 mark against right-handers. His OPS is incredibly consistent regardless of which side he hits from for his career – .725 vs. southpaws in 1,185 plate appearances and .726 vs. righties in 3,106 PAs.
In Game 2 of the NLDS, he reached over the left field fence at Dodger Stadium to rob Mookie Betts of a home run, but waited to reveal that the ball was in his glove. Later in the contest, unruly fans threw objects on the field, some directed at Profar, and the action was delayed.
“Bro, he’s an idiot,” Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill said. “That was hilarious, though. He’s having fun. He’s playing like a little kid, and I love that.”
He was a steal this year coming off the rough 2023 campaign. MLB Trade Rumors projects a three-year, $45 million deal while The Athletic sees three years at $48 million.
Profar could DH and spell Brandon Nimmo in left, but I look at him as a fallback option if other players don’t come to New York. Even then, I would be reluctant to commit three years to a player over 30 with limited defensive versatility who was inconsistent throughout his 20s.
The post Free Agent Profile: Jurickson Profar, OF appeared first on Metsmerized Online.
