The Texas Rangers have arguably the top prospect in all of baseball in Jurickson Profar.  The super talented shortstop/second baseman is consistently found at the top of all prospect lists and for good reason.  He is a five tool player who at such a young age has shown the plate discipline of a ten year veteran, and he is just about to turn twenty years old.  Here are his numbers at AA compared to Orioles stud Manny Machado, who made an impact at the major league level late in 2012.

Even when I averaged Machado’s pace to match Profar’s 480 at bats, Profar still beats him in every category except XBH (by only three).

Although he doesn’t light up the back of the baseball card in one particular category, Profar will provide future fantasy owners with numbers in all necessary categories.  The Rangers aren’t shy to bring up young players and throw them into the fire, so expect him to be called up full time at some point this season.

The only snag going into 2013 is where to put Profar.  Elvis Andrus and Ian Kinsler are the starting shortstop and second baseman respectively.  Additionally, Profar has yet to spend any time at the AAA level, and the Rangers probably wouldn’t mind hitting pause on starting his arbitration clock either.  All of these signs point to Profar starting 2013 in the minor leagues, but Profar will definitely be called up during the regular season to help the Rangers, especially if they decide to shift Kinsler to first base or outfield. Or if they make a bold move and decide to trade Andrus as they have flirted with several times over the past year.

I am not the biggest proponent for drafting rookies clouded in uncertainty.  Dee Gordon owners from last year understand that point all too well.  However, there is no doubt Profar is a phenomenal talent, and he will contribute at the major league level this season.  If the Rangers do trade Andrus, Profar’s value will sky rocket as he will no doubt be slotted in as the Rangers full time shortstop.

If you want to grab Profar late, go for it, just plan on sitting on him for a while until his inevitable call up.  Some eager owner in your league will draft him if you don’t, so don’t expect to sneakily grab him on the waiver wire post-draft. Profar will be a high impact fantasy shortstop for 2014 without question, but he might not be a significant fantasy player in 2013.

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