He wasn’t the National League Comeback Player of the Year, but no hitter did more for his stock in 2024 than Jurickson Profar.
The veteran left fielder realized that gain Thursday, agreeing to a contract with the Atlanta Braves after delivering a career season at age 31, a source confirmed to The Athletic. The terms were not yet disclosed. Profar, 2023’s least valuable player by fWAR, settled for a $1 million base salary with the San Diego Padres last spring. Then, he earned his first All-Star selection, hit .280/.380/.459 and slugged 24 home runs, often fueling the Padres’ return to October.
Whether he can sustain such production remains to be seen. Profar will be 32 on Opening Day. He hit only .196 in August and rebounded in September, only to fade in the postseason. A lack of speed and defensive range means he will have to continue hitting to remain relevant.
But there were signs that Profar, once considered baseball’s No. 1 prospect after being signed by the Texas Rangers in 2009, finally delivered on his potential. His average exit velocity shot up to a career-best 91.1 mph, a reflection of a more aggressive mindset, even as he retained familiar plate discipline. His hard-hit percentage also soared, from 31.8 percent the previous season to 44.4 percent. The consistent quality contact produced a .364 expected weighted on-base average that was virtually identical to his actual wOBA (.365).
Profar, The Athletic’s No. 17 ranked free agent entering this offseason, now represents an interesting gamble. Will he keep up his suddenly torrid pace? Will he fall back to earth or settle somewhere in between? For now, he remains baseball’s most resurgent hitter.
(Photo: Orlando Ramirez / Getty Images)
