The #1 prospect in baseball has opted out of the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Jurikson Profar has decided against playing for the Netherlands in the WBC and will concentrate on making the Texas Rangers 25 man roster.
Profar, a native of Curacao, was named to the Netherlands’ provisional roster. He will be in a tough battle to make the Rangers as a middle infielder. He will be competing with the likes of Elvis Andrus at shortstop and Ian Kinsler at second base.
The Rangers have said they would rather Profar playing everyday at AAA Round Rock over having him play a limited role at the big league level.
During big league camp Profar should get a lot of playing time since Andrus has committed to playing in the WBC for Venezuela.
Profar, who will turn 20 at the end of February, spent the 2012 season with AA Frisco. In 126 games, Profar hit 14 home runs, batted .281, and stole 16 bases. He was called up in September and went 3-for-17 with a home run in 9 games.
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Eric Bynum is Managing Editor here at Baseball de World and an ESL teacher in South Korea. He has played and/or written about baseball for the past 30 years and is an avid Atlanta Braves fan. Eric also writes for Braves Baseball World and for Call to the Pen.
