Rangers Jurickson Profar: Waiver Wire Add

By Bill Pivetz | Jun 6, 2016

May 28, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers second baseman Jurickson Profar (19) hits a foul ball in the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Since being recalled on May 27, Jurickson Profar is lighting up the stat sheets. With the struggles in the Rangers lineup, he will get more playing time.

The Texas Rangers are currently leading the American League West, holding a three-game lead over the Seattle Mariners. Even with the recent decline in the offense, the team is doing just fine. One reason is the success from recent call-up Jurickson Profar. If he’s available in your league, and he’s out there, pick him up.

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Profar made his debut during the 2012 season, but took on a bigger role in 2013. He played in 85 games, hitting six home runs, 26 RBI, and .234 with 63 strikeouts. He missed the entire 2014 season with a shoulder injury. He came back in 2015 and worked his way through the minors.

He started the 2016 season in Triple-A and was recalled when Rougned Odor began his suspension. Profar wasted little time making an impact. He has hit safely in all nine games with two home runs, three RBI, 10 runs, and a .390 average.

These numbers are a big surprise considering what Jurickson Profar has done in the past. But, I think that spending the extra time in the minors helped Profar with his plate discipline. He had a 19.4 strikeout rate in 2013. This season, he has a 14.3 strikeouts rate.

While the walk rate has declined too, he is making good contact with the ball to counteract that. His 2.4 walk rate is one of the worst, but 88.4 contact rate is the best of his career.

While his promotion was looked at as a short-term thing, his success raised a lot of questions. With Odor’s return, where would Profar play? Elvis Andrus is occupying shortstop and Adrian Beltre isn’t going anywhere. He does have experience in the outfield, but it’s very limited.

Luckily, management has found a spot for him. Both Mitch Moreland and Prince Fielder are struggling at the plate. Moreland has six homers, 22 RBI and a .206 average while Fielder is hitting .187 with three home runs and 28 RBI.

Jurickson Profar has played his last two games as the designated hitter as Fielder took the weekend off. Considering the amount of money the Rangers have invested in Fielder, I expect him to get his spot back sooner rather than later. Fielder could also go back to first and Profar remain as the DH.

Nomar Mazara and Ian Desmond have two of the outfield spots locked up, left field is up for grabs. Jared Hoyer and Ryan Rua have been splitting time. If Profar continues to hit, why not stick him in left field just to keep his bat in the lineup?

Next: Sell High on Ian Desmond?

Jurickson Profar has been added in 16 percent of ESPN leagues, bringing his ownership percentage up to 23.2 percent. With the lack of middle infield depth on the waiver wire, Profar is someone who should be added in all leagues. While the playing time may be a question, he is playing well enough to warrant being added.

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