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Could Texas Rangers use Jurickson Profar to solve their starting pitching needs?

By Benjamin Chase

Apr 12, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Jurickson Profar (19) dives back after over running first base in the fifth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Jurickson Profar (19) dives back after over running first base in the fifth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

With no place to play Jurickson Profar and a need in their rotation,
where would be the best fits for the Texas Rangers to shop Profar?

When former elite prospect Jurickson Profar was recently sent down to the minor leagues, many began to piece together that his future in Texas could be limited. In the same week, the Texas Rangers placed rotation leader Cole Hamels on the disabled list with what looks like an extended injury. Could Profar help to heal the pitching needs of the Rangers?

A Quick Look at Profar

Many would wonder why Profar would even be a valued piece. With a .135/.289/.135 slash line this season and not a single extra base hit or stolen base, it’s a worthy question.

However, when you dig deeper into this season’s numbers, you’ll see more there. Profar had an 8/8 BB/K ratio over 46 plate appearances, good for a 17.4 percent rate in both categories. That’s a more than acceptable strikeout rate, and a near-elite walk rate.

Profar was also posting a .172 BABIP on the season when he was sent down. His hit profile was absolutely in line for his normal distribution in both his line drive, ground ball, and fly ball rate, and also in his distribution around the field. He also had an excellent rate of 83.3% of his contact being graded as either medium or hard contact, which definitely would portend to better offense coming.

The main issue has been finding a defensive home for Profar. While he was a top prospect (top 10 consensus prospect before 2012 and the #1 consensus prospect before 2013), Profar looked certain to take over a middle infield spot, but now the Rangers are set for a number of years in both positions with Elvis Andrus and Rougned Odor.

After multiple seasons missed with arm issues, a move to third base seemed risky, but he did handle the position well last season. Of course, the Rangers have future Hall of Famer Adrian Beltre there once healthy.

In the outfield, the team has found a number of players to fill those spots as well. While the Rangers could find a position certainly in the outfield over guys like Delino DeShields or Ryan Rua.

That said, Profar is already in arbitration, and he has two more seasons of arbitration left. In a similar situation, Chris Davis was just entering arbitration when the Rangers traded him, not having seen what they had in him, and they’ve since regretted not getting better value in that deal. Waiting beyond this year could lead to a similar situation with Profar.

Let’s take a look at who the Rangers could target in exchange for Profar in the market…

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