Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The Texas Rangers have their future star in second baseman Jurickson Profar. He was called up on May 20 and filled in for Ian Kinsler. After a decent rookie season, the Rangers traded Kinsler away to make Profar the everyday second baseman. However, with recent news of a torn shoulder muscle, the Rangers will be without Profar for 10-12 weeks.
In 2013, Profar played in 85 games. He had 67 hits with a .234 batting average and .308 on-base percentage. While those numbers aren’t eye-popping, he provides a great bat to get on base, which will allow Adrian Beltre and Prince Fielder to drive in the runs.
Lucky for Profar and the Rangers, surgery is not required to repair the muscle. Reports say that Profar will be out from mid-May to early June. The Rangers will be promoting someone in house and not sign a free agent or make a trade. Adam Rosales is the only backup infielder on the Rangers roster.
As far as the second basemen rankings are concerned, Profar drops a little. He was being drafted in the middle rounds (12-15). With the news that he will be missing about two months, he should be drafted anywhere from rounds 18-20. He was ranked ahead of Brian Dozier and Omar Infante as the 16th-best second baseman. The injury drops him to No. 22 on the charts.
If Profar remains undrafted or is dropped in your league, pick him up right away. He will be a top-15 second baseman at the end of the season. Profar will be a fine pick-up once the injury heels.
Bill Pivetz is a fantasy sports writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @Mr_Piv1127.
