Jurickson Profar's Journey: From Injury to a New Role
A Tough Start and a Comeback
Jurickson Profar, a player for the Atlanta Braves, had a challenging start to his career with the team. He missed most of the first half of the season due to a suspension. Instead of taking time off to recover from an injury, he pushed through the pain during the second half of the season. It wasn't until November that he decided to have surgery for a sports hernia.
After six weeks of recovery, Profar was back to his usual offseason routine. He arrived at spring training feeling much better and ready to go. He's even preparing to play for the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic, managed by his childhood hero, Andruw Jones.
The Designated Hitter Role
However, Profar isn't too happy about the idea of being the team's designated hitter (DH) for the upcoming season.
"When asked about his feelings on being the DH, Profar laughed and said he's just there to help the team."
The numbers show that Profar is a better hitter than a fielder. Last year, he ranked near the bottom among left fielders in defensive metrics. The Braves signed Mike Yastrzemski this offseason, who is a better defensive option than Profar. Yastrzemski will play left field against right-handed pitchers, but against left-handed pitchers, either Eli White or Profar might take his place.
The Defensive Dynamics
White is the better defensive player, so it makes sense for him to play left field while Profar stays as the DH. With Sean Murphy out due to injury, Drake Baldwin will be the primary catcher. Baldwin might also serve as the DH on some days, but once Murphy returns, Profar will likely take on the DH role more often.
A Year of Struggles and Hope
Profar's first year with the Braves was cut short by an 80-game suspension for a performance-enhancing drug violation. After returning, he had a decent start but struggled in the final month of the season. The late-season struggles might have been due to the injury he had surgery for in November. Now, Profar is hopeful that his second year with the Braves will be better than his first.
"Profar admitted that last year wasn't great for him or the team, but he's ready to help the Braves make a postseason run this year. He's focused on contributing to the team's success, whatever role he's given."
