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Jurickson Profar 2021 Player Outlook: Solid Contributor Coming Off the Bench
4 years agoSan Diego Padres utility player Jurickson Profar returns to sunny Southern California after signing a three-year deal this offseason. In his first year with San Diego Profar put up one of the best performances of his career, including career bests in batting average (.278), on-base percentage (.343), and strikeout rate (13.9%). And with seven home runs over 56 games, Profar was on pace for 21 homers over a full season, which would have been his third consecutive 20-homer campaign. But amidst all that, there were some signs of concern for Profar, as his launch angle (11.0 degrees), barrel rate (3.2%), hard-hit rate (27.7%) and contact rate (81.1%) were all down from 2019, and his 8.8 percent swinging strike rate was his highest since 2012. And if all of that wasn't enough, the Padres are suggesting that they plan to use Profar primarily off the bench as a utility infielder/outfielder. Until a starting role opens up for Profar (ADP 239) he should be considered an above-average fantasy bench player to pop into the lineup whenever he gets a start.
