Jurickson Profar has a new home this winter. On September 27, the Tiburones de La Guaira officially announced the signing of the 33-year-old outfielder for the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (LVBP) 2026-27 season. Profar comes straight from the big leagues — he was part of the Los Angeles Dodgers roster that won the 2024 World Series — and immediately becomes La Guaira’s most high-profile addition heading into the new campaign.
Who Is Profar and Why Does He Matter for La Guaira?
This isn’t your average big leaguer showing up to winter ball just to stay loose. Profar is a utility outfielder with more than a decade in MLB, comfortable at second base, left field, and right field. That kind of positional flexibility is gold for any LVBP manager who needs lineup options without sacrificing quality.
The numbers back up his value: a career batting average of .240 and a career OBP near .340 — meaning he gets on base even when he’s not hitting. For La Guaira’s offense, that translates to a batter who doesn’t give away outs and knows how to work a pitcher. Slot him near the top of the order and that OBP becomes a problem for opposing pitchers before the power hitters even step in.
Caribbean Roots, No Adjustment Period Required
Profar was born in Willemstad, Curaçao — the same island that produced Andruw Jones, Didi Gregorius, and Kenley Jansen. He grew up with Caribbean baseball in his blood, so he’s not arriving in Venezuela to adapt. He’s arriving to play in a setting he already understands. In a league as competitive as the LVBP, that’s no small thing.
The Tiburones are one of the most decorated franchises in Venezuelan baseball history, and the pressure to compete every season is real. Adding a bat with postseason MLB experience gives the team something money doesn’t always buy: a reference point when the game is on the line.
For the LVBP as a whole, the move is a good sign. When players of Profar’s caliber choose Venezuela for their winter ball, the league’s overall level rises — and fans across all teams should appreciate that.
What to Expect at Parque Universitario
At 33, Profar isn’t winding down. He’s maintained a regular spot on MLB rosters in recent years and arrives in La Guaira fresh off a full season. His game is built on solid contact — more line drives and doubles than home runs, more walks than strikeouts. He’s a grinder, not a slugger.
The key questions for the coaching staff are where he lines up defensively and which spot in the batting order suits him best. One thing is clear: if he hits near the top, that career .340 OBP will be on full display, setting the table for La Guaira’s power hitters night after night.
The LVBP 2026-27 season is right around the corner. The Tiburones just raised the stakes.
