Jurickson Profar made the most of his major league debut on Sunday, homering in his first at-bat before later adding a double to help the Texas Rangers down the host Cleveland Indians, 8-3.
Profar, a highly-touted 19-year-old prospect, became the youngest player in the major leagues when the Rangers called him up from Double-A Frisco on Saturday, the first day that rosters expanded to 40 players.
The first major league player born in 1993 didn’t disappoint, finishing 2 for 4 with an RBI.
“I guess it’s a pretty big thing,” he said afterwards. “I was just a little bit nervous, but I’m with a lot of great players, so I just went out and played.”
Profar was a late substitute to the lineup after second baseman Ian Kinsler was scratched with a stiff back. Profar opened the third inning by driving Zach McAllister’s 2-1 offering over the right field wall.
Profar, who added a double in his next at-bat, became the youngest major leaguer to hit a homer since current teammate Adrian Beltre did it in 1998 for the Los Angeles Dodgers .
“It was a special day for a special kid,” Texas manager Ron Washington said. “This kid is blessed. He’s got a bright future, but let’s not put him in the Hall of Fame yet.”
The talented switch-hitter had spent the entire season playing for Double-A Frisco, hitting .281 with 14 homers and 62 RBIs to help the RoughRiders reach the Texas League Playoffs. He scored 76 runs in 126 games mostly at shortstop, although he did appear in 25 games as second base, five as the designated hitter and one at third base.
As a youth, Profar participated in both the 2004 and 2005 Little League World Series, helping his team from Willemstad, Curacao claim the 2004 championship and reach the 2005 title game.
Texas signed Profar as a non-drafted free agent on July 2, 2009.
