Since the Atlanta Braves moved from Milwaukee in 1966, they've had over 1,000 players suit up and don the A. In the 60 years, they've had plenty of players underperform expectations, antagonize the fan base, and infuriate the organization, with their names etched in history in the book of hated Braves players.
However, in a span of just over 400 days, Jurickson Profar has quickly, and deservedly gone from exciting free agent addition to enemy number one among the fan base. Once Profar's three-year deal is mercifully over, there's a high chance he'll go down as the most hated Braves player in history.
Jurickson Profar will go down in Braves infamy
In 2025, Profar played 80 games for the Braves. In those 80 games, he slashed a solid .245/.353/.434 with a 122 wRC+ and 1.3 fWAR. When the Braves signed him, this was exactly what they'd hope he would be.
If his tenure as a Brave could only be judged by his performance on the field, it would be impossible to rank Profar anywhere among the most hated Braves of all-time. Players like Melky Cabrera, or B.J. Upton had you wondering whether or not they even cared about the game when they were on the team.
However, in their tenures with the Braves, they at least played. While Melky Cabrera was eventually popped for PEDs when he was on the Giants, he did play 147 games with the Braves, 67 games more than Profar will likely ever play for Atlanta. Meanwhile, Upton played 267 games. Unlike those players, Profar's doom came not in the form of not caring enough, but perhaps caring a little too much and forgoing his morals.
Other Braves became hated for their actions in the clubhouse. Yunel Escobar became so hated in the clubhouse, his replacement was given a standing ovation. Robert Fick slapped an opponent's wrist during a playoff game and criticized management, and management made sure he was off the team before the playoffs were even over.
Despite their unfavorability within the organization, they, again, played when they were on the team, and were easy enough to remove. Escobar was traded for a shortstop who replaced him in the lineup, while Fick was released without requiring any consideration to the luxury tax. Profar, who will almost certainly never find himself in a Braves clubhouse whose trust he failed once again. He will still be a costly cut, as he's owed $15 million in 2027.
Lastly, there players whose off-the-field actions were inexhusible. Both Marcell Ozuna and Hector Olivera were arrested for domestic violence. They served hefty suspensions for their actions, and at the time of their arrests, they were still owed a significant amount of money.
Ozuna came back and played, eventually somewhat rehabbing his image with the Braves. Although his tenure was rocky, when he signed with the Pirates this offseason, it's hard to imagine many fans were still harboring animosity towards the designated hitter.
Meanwhile, while Olivera never played again, Atlanta was able to trade Olivera for Matt Kemp, who then was eventually traded for fan favorite Charlie Culberson. Olivera's tenure was so short, some Braves fans might not remember know of his existence, and his anonymity when he was acquired didn't carry the same weight that Profar's All-Star season had when he signed with Atlanta.
Jurickson Profar's tenure's end won't get the benefit of being seamless. His selfishness fooled fans twice, and it's hard to see a world where fans forgive him a third time.