The Atlanta Braves made a big move this offseason by signing outfielder Jurickson Profar to a three-year, $42 million deal. But just four games into the season, Profar was hit with an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. The suspension came on the heels of a career-best year in WAR for the former top prospect—once ranked No. 1 overall by MLB Pipeline back in 2013.
Profar is set to return to the Braves’ lineup on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels. Manager Brian Snitker now faces the task of figuring out how to best utilize Profar’s skill set. Since his suspension, Atlanta has cycled through five different left fielders, none of whom have been able to lock down the position. Profar’s return should bring some much-needed stability to the lineup.
Now, the pressure is on. Profar must show that last season’s breakout wasn’t fueled by PEDs and that he can contribute meaningfully over the remainder of his contract. He recently completed a 12-game rehab stint with Triple-A Gwinnett, where he posted a strong .326 batting average and a .991 OPS—an encouraging sign, even if the competition isn’t Major League level.
While Profar could help the Braves climb back into playoff contention, his suspension makes him ineligible for the postseason. That said, he now has the chance to prove to both the team and the fans that he can succeed without any outside help—and truly earn the contract Atlanta gave him.
Leave a Reply