Profar's son campaigning for dad's ASG bid

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SAN DIEGO -- Jurickson Profar insists this is not about him. Not at all.

Sure, there's a fairytale aspect to Profar's push to become an All-Star for the first time in his 11-year career. Once counted among sport's top prospects, Profar never ascended to All-Star status in seven seasons in the Rangers' organization following his callup as a 19-year-old prodigy. Now a Padre, beloved by teammates and fans alike, Profar is perhaps on the verge of reaching his first All-Star Game. And it'll be played -- where else? -- in Texas. Feels scripted, doesn't it?

But none of that, Profar says, is why he'd like to play in the Midsummer Classic next month, amid the best season of his career at age 31.

"I don't care about the individual stuff," said Profar. "I really don’t. But for my son? It would just mean everything."

Khairy Profar was born in Dallas in 2017. He's a constant presence at Padres games. He's your standard baseball-obsessed 6-year-old, according to Profar. Except that Khairy's dad is currently one of the top hitters in the sport -- the National League leader in on-base percentage (.417) and second-ranked hitter by batting average (.323).

"One of my dreams since he was born was to be at an All-Star Game," Profar said. "He loves baseball so much. He's always watching the Home Run Derby while I'm like, 'Nah, I don't want to watch baseball during the All-Star break.' But he wants to watch it. He's always talking about baseball. So that's why it would mean a lot."

Profar might just be approaching that goal. Major League Baseball unveiled its All-Star ballots on Wednesday, with Profar among the nine Padres listed. Voting has opened, and -- based solely on performance – he should be a favorite to start in the NL outfield.

A bargain-bin signing in February, Profar was essentially asked to replace Juan Soto in left field in San Diego. And you know what? He's actually done it. Out of nowhere, Profar has been the best outfielder in the NL, judging by his 2.3 WAR entering play Thursday, according to FanGraphs. Teammate Fernando Tatis Jr. ranks second at 2.0 fWAR.

In Padres history, only Tony Gwynn (nine times) and Dave Winfield (one time) have started an All-Star Game in the outfield. Tatis, whose season has been up and down, could certainly make his own case in the coming weeks. He has the superstar clout to appear on plenty of ballots, and -- as evidenced by his four-hit night on Wednesday -- he’s heating up.

But in Tatis’ eyes, it’s Profar who has earned the honor first and foremost.

"He totally deserves it, as simple as that," Tatis said. "The guy's been one of the best players in the game this year. He has been the best player for the Padres so far.

"He definitely deserves to be an All-Star. The man has put the work in, and I'm just happy for him."

There was a time when this all felt inevitable. Many believed Profar would've been an All-Star long before his age-31 season. In the Rangers' system, he was considered one of the best prospects in the entire sport.

But Profar was hit hard by a right shoulder injury that cost him his entire 2014 campaign. With a crowded Texas infield, Profar struggled to break through in the ensuing seasons. He finally put it all together with his 35-double, 20-homer season in 2018 -- then he was traded to Oakland that offseason.

"In 2018, it was the first year I ever played a full season," Profar said. "I got a chance to play, I hit 20 homers ... and then I got traded. So the fans there, they really didn't get to see the best of me."

Come July 16, they might. Profar may not have lived up to the immense hype in Texas. But he still carved himself an important role as a utility player. Earlier this season, he reached 10 years of big league service time.

Now comfortable in San Diego, Profar is in the midst of his best season to date. With a patient all-fields approach, he’s been a force in the middle of the Padres’ lineup. And next month, he might be rewarded with a homecoming of sorts.

For himself, yes. But more so, for Khairy.