Jurickson Profar is about to make his Atlanta Braves debut.
After signing a three-year, $42 million deal in January, the Braves’ biggest offseason acquisition will officially suit up and take the field on Wednesday.
He is starting in left field and hitting at the top of the lineup.
Braves Temporary Leadoff Batter
And here’s the kicker—he might just be Atlanta’s leadoff man while Ronald Acuña Jr. works his way back from that devastating ACL tear. That’s according to The Athletic’s David O’Brien; honestly, it makes a lot of sense.
Profar brings a strong on-base skillset, and if he carries over last year’s production, the Braves might have stumbled upon the perfect temporary table-setter.
A Legitimate Offensive Threat
Let’s talk numbers because Profar’s 2024 season was no fluke. He put up a .280/.380/.459 slash line, smashed 24 home runs and drove in 85 RBIs—good for a 134 OPS+.
That’s well above league average and, more importantly, shows he can get on base and do damage when he does.
But here’s where things get really interesting—he’s clutch. Profar turned it up a notch with runners in scoring position, hitting .321/.446/.509 with five home runs and 54 RBIs.
That’s exactly the kind of bat Atlanta needs after an injury-riddled and underwhelming offensive showing last year.
A Swing That Changed Everything
What flipped the switch for Profar? A mechanical adjustment. He introduced a higher leg kick into his swing, creating more power and better timing at the plate.
And here’s the thing—when a swing change leads to a career-best season, it’s much harder to call it a fluke. This wasn’t just a hot streak. It was an evolution.
If he keeps this up in 2025, the Braves may have quietly landed one of the best under-the-radar pickups of the offseason.
With Acuña out and a lineup looking to rebound, Profar’s bat could be exactly what Atlanta needs to start the year strong. Wednesday is just the beginning.
