Happy birthday Jurickson Profar!

The kid from Curacao with the infectious smile was at one time the number one prospect in all of baseball. The sky was the limit for him. Ranger fans eagerly watched his progress through the minors. He simply could not miss.

Then, like Ruben Mateo before him, he suffered a devastating injury. A torn labrum in his throwing shoulder cost him almost 2 years off the field. He is still working to recover full range of motion to this day.

When he did make it back he was without a regular position to play. He was used in a utility role for a while before eventually being traded to the Athletics.

It's been a struggle to say the least. But hope abounds! He has now been acquired by the Padres and reunited with new Padre manager Jayce Tingler, the former ranger coach who has known him since he was 15 years old. He turns 26 today, and will be given every chance to play second base every day for the Padres. 

He may no longer have superstar potential, but I wish him every success in San Diego.

Jurickson Profar's first Major League At-Bat