To the chagrin of most Braves fans, the Atlanta front office did not spend a ton of money or make many impactful trades last offseason. The one splash that GM Alex Anthopoulos did make, which came in late January, was the signing of Jurickson Profar to a three-year, $42-million contract.
Fans were excited to see Profar come to town off a career-best season in San Diego and take a spot in what was shaping up to be a star-studded outfield as soon as Ronald Acuna Jr. returned from injury. As most are well aware, less than a week into the regular season, Profar was flagged for PEDs and hit with an 80-game suspension from MLB. On top of that, Michael Harris has struggled until recently, and Acuna landed back on the IL in late July.
Understandably, fans quickly turned on Profar, who had yet to provide really anything of merit. As the team's fortunes progressively got worse this season, Profar was the recipient of more and more deserved ire.
Jurickson Profar Making the Most of a Second Chance
Profar essentially got another opportunity to begin his 2025 season once he returned from suspension on July 2. Unfortunately, at 38-46, the Braves were already struggling to stay afloat. Profar just needed to get to work and look like the player he was expected to be when first signed.
Profar homered in each of his first two games back, but his production was pretty pedestrian overall for the month of July. He wore an 0-for-4 on August 1, but over the next six games, the 2024 Silver Slugger winner went 6 for 21 with three homers and a triple.
Jurickson Profar tank to cut the deficit to 2! 💪
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 7, 2025
📺: FS1 pic.twitter.com/aLZoUy5H3Z
The Braves faithful are having an increasingly difficult time remaining aggrieved at Profar’s past sin. His sensational, HR-robbing catch from the top half of Saturday’s doubleheader against the Marlins only served to assuage their derision even more.
CATCH OF THE SEASON!#BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/KgIyjzJkMq
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 9, 2025
All may not be completely forgiven for Profar just yet, but that day seems to be closer. If he keeps on making the highlight reel with regularity, Profar will finally be able to the page with Atlanta fans.