ATLANTA — Jurickson Profar, who recently transformed his playing style with a new leg kick, has made his mark as a first-time All-Star at the age of 31 with the San Diego Padres. This vital adjustment to his swing not only elevated his performance but also paved the way for his move to the Atlanta Braves.
Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos is confident that Profar’s exceptional statistics from last year are a reflection of the player he has become. During a press conference on Friday, Profar expressed that the trust placed in him by Anthopoulos and the Braves organization played a crucial role in his decision to sign a three-year contract worth $42 million, which was officially announced on Thursday. “They show a lot of confidence in me from the beginning,” said Profar. “That means a lot. I’m ready to give it all for the Braves.”
Profar made significant changes to his batting technique by raising his front leg higher before his swing, a method encouraged by advice from former major leaguers Fernando Tatis and his work with San Diego outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. during the previous offseason. This adjustment resulted in a noticeable increase in the power of his swing. “I love talking hitting and getting better, so I put in a lot of work in the offseason last year and then brought it to spring training, continuing to work until it clicked,” Profar explained.
His efforts were rewarded last season when he posted an impressive batting average of .280 and connected for 24 home runs. Profar also scored 94 runs, batted in 85, and stole 10 bases. Anthopoulos emphasized his belief in Profar’s potential, stating, “We believe what he did last year is who he is going forward.”
In addition to setting personal records in average, home runs, and RBIs, Profar achieved a total of 158 hits for the season. He was selected as the starting left fielder for the National League in the All-Star Game and also received his first Silver Slugger Award.
Anthopoulos rated Profar as the second-best bat available in free agency, coming in just behind Juan Soto, who signed with the New York Mets. The Braves had a relatively quiet offseason prior to finalizing this deal to strengthen their outfield.
Looking forward to the upcoming season, Anthopoulos mentioned that 2023 NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. is not likely to be ready to start the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn left ACL last June. While the exact timeline for Acuña’s return remains uncertain, Anthopoulos noted that he is showing positive progress.
In addition to Profar, the Braves added depth to their outfield by signing Bryan De La Cruz to a one-year deal back in December. Profar will be joining Michael Harris, Jarred Kelenic, De La Cruz, and Eli White in the outfield while awaiting Acuña’s potential return, which could be as soon as May.
Profar will take the left field position, with Harris covering center. Kelenic and De La Cruz are expected to split time in right field until Acuña is back on the field. A native of Curaçao, Profar fondly recalls watching the Braves on TV during his youth, especially to see fellow Curaçaoan Andruw Jones play. “Every Wednesday at 7 o’clock, I was in front of the TV to watch Andruw Jones and the Braves,” he shared.
Eager to demonstrate that his breakout season with the Padres in 2024 was not merely a one-time event, Profar seeks to validate his capabilities after an inconsistent career. With an overall batting average of .245 across 11 seasons and 111 home runs, he remains hopeful as he prepares for the upcoming season. “I’m always confident,” Profar stated. “I’m always working to get better. I’m preparing myself this year to be like last year or better.”
