The Atlanta Braves are off to a disappointing start, considering the expectations this group had going into 2025. The franchise was expecting to contend for the National League East crown and make the postseason for the eighth straight year.
While those goals are technically still intact, it will be an uphill climb for the Braves, who currently sit at 25-27 and 8.5 games behind the first-place Philadelphia Phillies. So far, one of this season’s biggest disappointments for this team has been veteran outfielder Jurickson Profar. The 2024 All-Star signed with the Braves this past offseason on a three-year, $42 million deal.
Profar has only appeared in four games this season and is serving a suspension that will keep him out most of the year. In addition, the 32-year-old has not looked great in his very limited action so far, putting up a .200 batting average.
Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly, therefore, gave this signing a re-grade of F with the following explanation:
“Having your best season when you’re 31 years old is a bit strange, particularly when you posted a minus-1.6 WAR the prior season, despite playing most of your home games at Coors Field,” Kelly argues. “As it turns out, Profar was suspended 80 games for testing positive for the banned substance hCG after playing in just four games for the Braves.
He will return this regular season, but because of the failed test, Profar will be ineligible for the playoffs. Maybe Profar will get his career back on track, although considering he failed a PED test after the finest season of his career, it’s fair to be skeptical of what he’ll look like when he returns.”
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Overall, Profar still has time to live up to his contract, but he better hope the Braves are still in the playoff hunt when he returns to action. The next few months for this franchise are critical to its long-term future.
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