A’s Beat: Jurickson Profar is eager to contribute.
MESA, Ariz. — As a member of the Rangers the past three seasons, Jurickson Profar has seen more than enough of the A’s. He knows exactly what kind of team he’s joining.
“I’m feeling great about this organization,” Profar said Thursday after arriving at Hohokam Stadium, saying Oakland always gave Texas a hard time. “They have a great team and last year, they always battled. I love that.”
Profar, who turns 26 Wednesday, came to Oakland as part of a three-team trade with Texas and Tampa Bay on Dec. 21. He’s assuming the starting second-base job left open when Jed Lowrie signed with the Mets.
“I’ll try to do my best to fit in and help along the way,” said Profar, who also played for Texas in parts of 2012 and ’13.
Profar was once one of baseball’s top prospects, but injuries took their toll his first few years in the big leagues. Last year was the first time he was able to play in more than 90 games, and he hit .254 with 20 homers, 77 RBIs and 82 runs. He drew 54 walks, and played both second and third base.
“I worked hard to get past the injuries,” he said. “Last year was the first chance I got to play, and I think I did good. I’m looking forward to this year, too.”
Playing just one position should help Profar, manager Bob Melvin said, and the fact that Profar is a switch-hitter, like Lowrie, is also valuable.
“Two years in a row he was the top prospect in the minor leagues and kind of had to get through some injuries,” Melvin said. “The timing is right to have him on our side.”
A’s position players officially report Saturday, with the first full-squad workout Sunday. Briefly: Third baseman Matt Chapman, coming back from shoulder surgery, took 10 swings during batting practice for the first time Thursday, along with doing tee work and hitting flips . ... Melvin thought highly of starter Daniel Mengden’s bullpen session Thursday. “I think he’s got something to prove this year,” Melvin said. “He’s a guy we really like. He’s had some injuries, not consistent starting and so forth. I think he’s come to camp trying to prove that he deserves a spot. You can see the look in his eye right now — he’s competing out there. He looks like he’s on it, throwing all his pitches for strikes. He looks really good.”