Rangers: What happened to Jurickson Profar?

Rangers former prospect Jurickson Profar has disappointed so far in his career. Is a rebound possible if he were to be traded?

The Texas Rangers were thought to have signed one of the best free-agent rookies back in 2009. After just a couple of years, Jurickson Profar was labeled as the best prospect in baseball. He made his debut in 2012 as a 19-year old. Things went downhill from there. Can he revive his name outside of Texas?

Profar played in just 22 games this season, last playing on July 7. He hit .172 with five RBI, eight runs and a 14:9 K:BB ratio. Profar has a career .229/.309/.329 line with 12 homers, 53 RBI and 75 runs.

Not only was it the poor performance, the Rangers just don’t have room for him anymore. The team has veterans Adrian Beltre and Elvis Andrus at third base and shortstop, respectively. They then committed to second baseman Rougned Odor long-term as he signed a $49.5 million extension last offseason.

More from FanSided

• MLB Rumors: White Sox offer ‘small opening’ in Dylan Cease, Luis Robert trade talks
• LAST CHANCE: $250 Guaranteed Bonus for Your Week 1 College Football Bet at DraftKings and FanDuel!
• MLB Rumors: Justin Verlander has a clear suitor, but it comes with a catch
• MLB Rumors: Braves trade grade, Cardinals trade bait, Red Sox selling
• USMNT news: Turner to Forest, Trusty to Sheffield, Reynolds to Westerlo

Beltre is signed through 2018 but Andrus has an opt-out clause next offseason. Unless something drastic happens, I expect him to re-sign with the Rangers for a couple more years. This leaves Profar without a spot in the starting lineup.

The other negative is that Profar is out of minor-league options. So, if a team were to trade for him, he would have to be on that team’s main roster. Would a team risk some of their young prospects hoping for Profar to return to his former self? I don’t see why they would, but teams are asking.

MLB Trade Rumors reported that the New York Yankees, surprisingly are interested in Profar. With Didi Gregorius and Starlin Castro manning the middle infield, Chase Headley at third base, Ronald Torreyes as a utility option and Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar close to making their MLB debut, this seems odd. Though, as a switch hitter, he could easily rebound in Yankee Stadium.

Dallas Morning News writer Evan Grant tweeted that there are a few more teams checking in on Profar’s availability. Some teams that I think could use Profar’s help are the San Diego Padres as a second baseman or the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago White Sox as a shortstop.

Those teams don’t have the best outlook for 2018 but that does give them a reason to trade for Profar. With little expectations to live up to, he could bounce back to his 2012-2013 minor-league days.

In that span, Profar hit 18 home runs, 81 RBI and .280 with 103 runs scored. He had a 142:131 K:BB ratio. This is what gave him the title of the league’s best prospect. Then he missed all of the 2014 and most of the 2015 seasons.

Next: Jean Segura is an underrated shortstop

It’s been a rough time for Profar. With his debut at 19 years old to his lack of playing time just five years later, many people have forgotten about Profar. Though, if the Rangers are looking to trade him, he could be that player you want to keep an eye on for 2018 and beyond. Again, he is just 24 years old. Profar’s prime is still ahead of him.