There’s a lot of buzz around the newest Atlanta Braves outfielder, Jurickson Profar. There’s a mix of excitement and skepticism about what he will bring to the table in 2025.
If you ask the Braves front office, they see a solid veteran bat adding depth to an already potent lineup.
But if you ask MLB pundits, let’s just say they’re a little more cautious.
Is Profar’s 2024 Season a One-Time Breakout?
Take Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly, for example. He just put Profar on a list of potential free-agent busts for 2025 and didn’t hold back. The concern?
Profar’s breakout 2024 season may have been a one-off rather than a sign of sustained success. Before last year, he was a career .245 hitter with a .726 OPS—not exactly All-Star material.
Let’s not forget his defensive metrics. Over the past two seasons, he’s posted minus-19 defensive runs saved. In simple terms, that means he’s not exactly a Gold Glove-caliber outfielder.
To be fair, Profar was excellent in 2024. He slashed .280/.380/.459 with career highs in home runs (24), RBI (85), and runs scored (94).
That’s the kind of production that gets you paid—like, say, a three-year, $42 million deal from the Braves. But was that a true breakout or just a career year? That’s the million-dollar question.
The Braves Don’t Need Profar to Be an All-Star
And look, the skepticism isn’t baseless. Before last season, Profar had nearly a decade of mediocrity, hitting just .238 with a .706 OPS across 961 games. Those aren’t numbers that scream “impact bat.”
So, expecting him to replicate 2024 might be a bit optimistic. But here’s the thing—he doesn’t need to be an All-Star to make a difference for Atlanta.
If the Braves stay healthy, Profar is likely a bottom-third-of-the-order hitter, not someone they rely on to carry the offense.
And if he splits the difference between his 2024 production and his career averages—let’s say an OPS around .775—then he’s a solid addition.
Sure, it’s a step down from last year, but it’s still a net positive for a team with championship aspirations.
The Braves Avoided Bigger Risks
Interestingly, while Profar has drawn some “bust” talk, the Braves dodged a couple of other names on Kelly’s list.
Atlanta was linked to starters Nathan Eovaldi and Nick Pivetta this offseason, who landed on Kelly’s “biggest potential busts” list.
So, while the Profar deal has risk, Atlanta wasn’t doubling down on multiple questionable contracts.
Profar doesn’t have to be a superstar for the Braves—he just has to be a competent, steady contributor.
If he can do that, he’ll prove the doubters wrong. If not, Kelly and the rest of the skeptics might have a point. We’ll see how it all plays out.
