OAKLAND – Jurickson Profar has only played four regular season games with the A's, but he already feels at home in Oakland.
"We have good guys here and also great baseball players," Profar told NBC Sports California. "It's been a lot of fun for me to join this team."
Early in his career, Profar was a highly-touted prospect with the Rangers, but he struggled with injuries for multiple years. Last season, at the age of 25, he finally broke out with a .254/.335/.458 slash line and a career-high 20 home runs, 35 doubles, and 77 RBI.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
A's manager Bob Melvin is optimistic Profar can build on last year's performance and put up even better numbers this season in Oakland.
"We knew he'd be a hitter," Melvin said. "Based on the year he had last year, the first time he was healthy, the first time he was really productive and had the opportunity to play a lot, we think that's just the starting point for him."
Profar believes 2018 was just the beginning of an offensive outburst for himself.
"That's what I'm working on every day. I'm trying to be better than last year," Profar said. "That's what I want to do."
Oakland Athletics
After a slow start to spring training, Profar has swung the bat much better the last few weeks, showing an impressive combination of athleticism and power. He has reached base safely in all four regular-season games, recording a double and a triple. He also homered last Sunday in Oakland's preseason game against the Giants.
"My swing is getting there, where I want it to be," Profar said. "I was working a lot this spring and it's finally starting to feel good."
Profar was already familiar with the A's before coming to Oakland, having played in the same division with the Rangers. He recalls being impressed by the A's grit, echoing the sentiments of Oakland's other newcomers.
[RELATED: Ryan Buchter upset with umpire after missed call in A's loss to Angels]
"Playing against them, they always seemed like guys who played hard," Profar said. "They always wanted to win. For me, it was fun getting traded here. When I joined these guys, it's been even better. I've gotten to know them and it's even more fun."