Jurickson Profar Bio
Jurickson Barthelomeus Profar (born February 20, 1993) is a Curaçaoan professional baseball outfielder for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, and Colorado Rockies. Profar has also represented the Netherlands national baseball team in international competition, including multiple editions of the World Baseball Classic.
Once regarded as one of the top prospects in baseball, Profar endured significant injuries early in his career before reinventing himself as an everyday outfielder. He earned his first All-Star selection and Silver Slugger Award in 2024, capping a long road back from a serious shoulder problem that cost him two full seasons.
Early Life and Background
Jurickson Profar was born on February 20, 1993, in Willemstad, Curaçao, the capital of the Dutch Caribbean island. He grew up in a baseball family and was introduced to organized baseball at a young age. Curaçao has long produced elite baseball talent, and Profar quickly emerged as one of the island’s most promising young players.
Profar represented Curaçao at the Little League World Series in both 2004 and 2005. In 2004, he helped the Pabao Little League team from Willemstad defeat Conejo Valley East Little League from Thousand Oaks, California, to win the championship. He returned to the championship game in 2005 with the same squad, where the team lost to West Oahu Little League from ʻEwa Beach, Hawaii.
Two of his younger brothers also pursued professional baseball careers. Juremi Profar signed with the Texas Rangers in 2012, while their younger brother Jurdrick signed with the Chicago White Sox in January 2024. All three brothers have represented Curaçao at the Little League World Series. Profar became a father in 2017 when his son was born.
Path to Professional Baseball
On July 2, 2009, Profar signed with the Texas Rangers as an international free agent at the age of 16. Several clubs were interested in signing him as a pitcher, but the Rangers scouted and signed him as a shortstop, his preferred position. The organization viewed him as a long-term building block in the middle of the infield.
Profar spent his first professional season in 2010 with the Spokane Indians, batting .250 with four home runs and 23 runs batted in (RBI) in 63 games. The following year, he played for the Hickory Crawdads and was named to the 2011 All-Star Futures Game. He was recognized as the South Atlantic League’s Most Valuable Player and earned a spot on Baseball America’s 2011 Minor League All-Star team at shortstop, cementing his status as one of baseball’s elite prospects.
Jurickson Profar Career
Early Career with the Texas Rangers (2012-2015)
On August 31, 2012, Profar was called up to the Rangers as major league rosters expanded, becoming the first player born in 1993 to appear in the majors and the youngest active player in the big leagues. He homered off Zach McAllister in his first major league at-bat and finished 2-for-4 in his debut, giving an early glimpse of his offensive potential.
After the 2013 season, Texas traded Ian Kinsler, anticipating that Profar would become the team’s everyday second baseman. That plan unraveled when Profar suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery on February 23, 2015. He missed the entire 2014 and 2015 seasons, a setback that forced him to reinvent his career trajectory.
Texas Rangers Return and Oakland Athletics (2016-2019)
Profar returned to the Rangers on May 27, 2016, replacing Rougned Odor during a suspension and going 1-for-5 in his comeback against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He bounced between the majors and Triple-A Round Rock before playing five defensive positions during the 2017 season. In 2018, his first full season at the major league level, Profar hit .254/.335/.458 with 20 home runs and was named the Richard Durrett Hardest Working Man Award winner by the DFW chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
On December 21, 2018, Texas traded Profar to the Oakland Athletics in a three-team deal that sent Brock Burke, Kyle Bird, and others to the Rangers. Oakland used him almost exclusively at second base to replace the departed Jed Lowrie, but he struggled defensively and offensively, finishing 2019 with a minus-10 Defensive Runs Saved rating, the lowest among major league second basemen.
San Diego Padres First Stint (2020-2022)
On December 2, 2019, the Athletics traded Profar to the San Diego Padres. The Padres transitioned him from a utility infielder into a full-time outfielder, primarily in left field. In the shortened 2020 season, Profar slashed .278/.343/.428 with seven home runs and 25 RBI across 56 games, showing the offensive upside that had once made him a top prospect.
On January 27, 2021, Profar signed a three-year, $21 million contract to remain with San Diego, but he batted just .227/.329/.320 in his second season with the club. He rebounded in 2022, setting career highs in plate appearances and hits, highlighted by a diving ninth-inning catch against the San Francisco Giants on August 9 that preserved a tie before Manny Machado’s walk-off home run. Following that season, Profar opted out of his contract and became a free agent on November 7, 2022.
Colorado Rockies and Padres Return (2023-2024)
On March 21, 2023, Profar signed a one-year, $7.75 million contract with the Colorado Rockies. He hit .236/.316/.364 with eight home runs and 39 RBI in 111 games before being released on August 27 following the promotion of Hunter Goodman. Days later, on September 1, he signed a minor league deal to return to the Padres organization and was added to the major league roster on September 8.
On February 12, 2024, Profar re-signed with San Diego on a one-year deal guaranteeing $1 million plus incentives. He delivered the best season of his career, posting a career-high .839 OPS and earning his first All-Star selection along with a Silver Slugger Award. The performance marked his full arrival as an everyday offensive contributor.
Atlanta Braves Era (2025-Present)
On January 23, 2025, Profar signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Atlanta Braves, joining one of the National League’s flagship franchises. Just three days before Opening Day, on March 31, he was suspended for 80 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, making him ineligible for the postseason that year.
Profar returned from suspension on July 2, 2025, going 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI against the Los Angeles Angels. His comeback provided the Braves with a veteran presence in left field as they worked to remain in the National League playoff picture during the second half of the season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Profar is a switch-hitting outfielder whose best attributes are plate discipline, contact ability, and on-base skills. He has consistently posted strong walk rates throughout his career and provides lineup flexibility as a left fielder who can also handle first base and second base in a pinch. His pitch recognition and willingness to work counts make him a valuable table-setter in the middle of a batting order.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Profar’s most memorable moments are his 2004 Little League World Series championship with Curaçao, his debut home run on August 31, 2012, and his game-saving diving catch against the Giants in August 2022. His 2024 All-Star selection and Silver Slugger Award validated a long road back from shoulder injuries that had once threatened his career.
Jurickson Profar Career Wins
Jurickson Profar’s professional resume features steady production rather than headline-grabbing win totals, with his most celebrated milestones coming in prospect rankings, All-Star honors, and Silver Slugger recognition.
MLB Highlights
Profar earned his first career All-Star selection in 2024, capping a season in which he set a new career high with a .839 OPS. That same year, he captured the Silver Slugger Award, becoming one of the top-hitting outfielders in the National League. He hit a career-best 20 home runs during the 2018 season with Texas, his first full year at the major league level.
Other Wins and Performances
Profar was honored as the 2011 South Atlantic League Most Valuable Player while in the Rangers’ minor league system and was named to Baseball America’s 2011 Minor League All-Star team. In 2018, the DFW chapter of the BBWAA recognized him with the Richard Durrett Hardest Working Man Award.
Jurickson Profar Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
Baseball runs deep in the Profar family. Both of Jurickson’s younger brothers, Juremi and Jurdrick, signed professional contracts, with Juremi playing for the Karachi Monarchs in Baseball United and Jurdrick signing with the Chicago White Sox in January 2024. All three brothers have represented Curaçao at the Little League World Series, continuing the island’s strong baseball tradition.
Personal Life
Profar’s son was born in 2017. He grew up in Willemstad, Curaçao, and continues to maintain close ties to his home island while playing in the major leagues. In 2025, indie-folk artist Cousin Wolf released a song titled “Jurickson Profar” as part of an album called “Nine Innings,” reflecting the player’s broader cultural footprint.
2025 Season Performance
Jurickson Profar’s 2025 season with the Atlanta Braves began under difficult circumstances. After signing a three-year, $42 million deal on January 23, 2025, he was suspended for 80 games on March 31 for a performance-enhancing drug violation, ruling him out of postseason contention for the year.
Profar returned from suspension on July 2 and made an immediate impact, going 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI against the Los Angeles Angels. His second-half contributions gave the Braves a veteran switch-hitter in left field as they pushed for a National League playoff spot.
Heading into the final stretch of the 2025 campaign, Profar is working to re-establish his All-Star form from 2024 while regaining the trust of teammates and fans. With two more seasons remaining on his Atlanta contract, the Braves view him as a key building block for their long-term outfield plans beyond this year’s postseason absence.