In MLB breaking news, after testing the free-agent market for around three months this offseason, Jurickson Profar has decided to stay with the exciting San Diego Padres for the upcoming 2021 season, agreeing to a three-year, $21 million deal with the Padres on Wednesday.
MLB Breaking News: Profar Staying Put in San Diego
Jurickson Profar, who turns 28 next month, is a versatile switch-hitting utility player who was extremely valuable to the Padres, who made a playoff run to the National League Divisional Series in 2020. Profar dropped a career-best .278 batting average adding seven home runs and 25 RBI while playing in 56 games, out of 60, in the shortened 2020 season. The Padres have beefed up their infield in the offseason by signing Ha-Seong Kim out of Korea, who can move around infield positions much like Profar.
Looking back on Jurickson Profar’s Career
For more perspective, Profar is a career .238 hitter. Playing in 85 games with the Texas Rangers in 2013, he only hit six home runs and batted a modest .234. Moreover, after three years in the minors, Profar was back with the Rangers in 2016, hitting five home runs in 90 games. With a full season looming in 2021, Profar should be able to reach 20 home runs and a ballpark of 75 RBI as a role player with the Padres. Those numbers mirror his career highs from 2018 and 2019 with the Rangers.
Final Thoughts
Profar looked like a player out of place on the Padres roster after many free-agent signings in the offseason but the Padres were able to keep him on the team and in a role he is absolutely suited for. With Jake Cronenworth most likely the starter at second base, Profar will look to fill in for the infielders on rest days and be an outstanding option off the bench for manager Jayce Tingler in pinch-hitting situations. Look for Profar to improve on a great season in 2021 as a role-player on a stacked San Diego Padres squad.
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