Rangers rookie Jurickson Profar delivered what turned out to be a game-winning double against the Rays on Saturday night, but he claims he acted like a savvy veteran in the process. In the top of the 10th, Tampa Bay reliever Kyle Farnsworth threw a pitch way inside on the 19-year-old in a moment that could have been interpreted as Farnsworth welcoming him to the big leagues. Profar says he acted accordingly.
The rookie fell to the ground to get out of the way of the pitch and then took a long walk outside the batter’s box. He says he was trying to make it seem like he was shaken up.
“I was acting like I was scared so he could throw the same pitch,” Profar told ESPN Dallas 103.3’s Eric Nadel and Matt Hicks when asked about the at-bat. “He did, and I got a good swing on it.”
Farnsworth did indeed come inside with the next pitch, and Profar turned on it and ripped ripped it down the line. The hit scored Geovany Soto from second. If that truly was Profar’s intention and his plan worked to perfection, kudos to him for contributing to the win both physically and psychologically.
Fist pound to Big League Stew
