From Little League prodigy to MLB suspension, the turbulent career of Jurickson Profar.
In short: Born in Curaçao, Jurickson Profar emerged as a highly touted baseball prospect who debuted in the major leagues at age 19. Despite early promise and a career-best All-Star season in 2024, his trajectory shifted dramatically following multiple suspensions for performance-enhancing substances that derailed his time with the Atlanta Braves.
Jurickson Profar’s journey began in Willemstad, Curaçao, where he gained early recognition by representing his home country in the Little League World Series in 2004 and 2005. His talent led him to sign with the Texas Rangers as an international free agent in 2009 at age 16. By 2012, he had become the first player born in 1993 to reach the major leagues, marking his arrival with a home run in his very first at-bat. However, his early development was hampered by significant shoulder injuries that forced him to miss the entire 2014 and 2015 seasons.
After returning to the field, Profar spent years as a versatile utility player, moving through organizations including the Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, and Colorado Rockies. He eventually found stability in San Diego, where he transitioned from the infield to the outfield. His 2024 season proved to be the pinnacle of his professional life, as he earned his first All-Star selection and a Silver Slugger Award. This success paved the way for a lucrative three-year, $42 million contract with the Atlanta Braves in early 2025.
The momentum of his career collapsed shortly after joining Atlanta. In March 2025, Profar received an 80-game suspension for testing positive for human chorionic gonadotropin. The situation worsened in March 2026 when he was suspended for the entire 162-game season following a second positive test for performance-enhancing substances. This second violation resulted in the forfeiture of his $15 million annual salary and rendered him ineligible for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Despite an appeal filed by the MLB Players Association, the league upheld the suspension, making him the seventh player to receive a full-season ban for a second offense.
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