The Texas Rangers have not made any firm decisions on whether Jurickson Profar starts the 2013 season in the big leagues. That call has to come once the club has made other offseason moves.

“It’s all connected,” general manager Jon Daniels said.

But there’s no doubt that Profar, who will start Winter Ball soon, made a positive impression with his season at Double-A Frisco and his limited playing time with the Rangers in September.

“He’s talented,” Daniels said. “He’s a switch-hitter in the middle of the diamond and has the ability to do a variety of things. Then there’s the makeup. He’s got that intangible that kind of makes the age a non-issue.”

The 19-year-old Profar (turns 20 in February) was 3-for-17 in the big leagues in September, but his first two hits were certainly memorable. He homered in his first at-bat in the majors on the fourth pitch he saw from Cleveland starter Zach McAllister on Sept. 2. He also doubled in the game. Profar became just the third teenager to hit a home run in his first career big-league at-bat and the youngest player to hit a homer and a double in a game since Andruw Jones in 1996 for the Atlanta Braves.

Profar was in Double-A Frisco for most of the season, batting .281 with 14 homers and 62 RBIs. He had 16 stolen bases and 66 walks to go along with 79 strikeouts.

It sure appears, if given the chance, that he could improve and become a critical component. It's similar to what Elvis Andrus did in 2009, starting at shortstop and making his mistakes and learning on the job despite never playing Triple-A baseball.

"He’s a winning player," Daniels said. "He doesn’t have a lot of experience, but he adds something to the team even outside of his ability.
He plays with energy, which is often overlooked."

Daniels believes even the limited experience Profar got at the end of this past season will help him in the future.

"The experience of being there, seeing things first hand is important," . How guys prepare. When you experience something, even if you’re on the sldeines, you get an understanding of how you may approach things when you get yor chance and you may see some things you don’t want to replicate. Every experience is an opportunity to learn and improve yourself."

Is it time for Profar to get that experience every day in the big leagues, even if that means moving some players around? What do you think the club will do in the infield in 2013?