ARLINGTON -- On a day when Adrian Beltre talked about saying goodbye without going all the way, it seemed like a reasonable time to check in on his replacement (temporary for now, permanent before too long) at third base.
How does delivering a home run and igniting an historic triple play in an 8-6 win over the Angels sound? And does the name Jurickson Profar ring a bell?
With my full set of paleontologist brushes and geologist's hammer, like someone separating the Permian from the Jurassic period, I located and dusted off the old report. Hard to read at first, finally I could make it out.
"Few prospects represent a safer bet to develop into a first division regular and All-Star than Jurickson Profar.''
The cover of the ancient tome featured a smiling Profar, listed as the sport's No. 1 prospect. It was the Baseball America Prospect Handbook (2013 edition), but today it feels like something from a bygone era. Keep in mind some of those ranked below Profar who beat him to the MLB All-Star Game, and in some cases did it several times.
A partial list includes Colorado's Nolan Arenado, Cleveland's Francisco Lindor, Houston's Carlos Correa and George Springer and the Mets' Noah Syndergaard.
Tampa Bay's top prospects that year were pitcher Chris Archer and outfielder Wil Myers. How long ago does that seem for the current Pirate and Padre?
But here's the good news for Rangers fans.
While Profar didn't make it to the All-Star Game this season, he did arrive as a big leaguer. Still forced to play all over the field -- Profar has started games at first, second, short, third and left -- the team's No. 5 hitter on manager Jeff Banister's lineup card is second on the team only to Joey Gallo in runs batted in with 65.
The most recent came on his 14th home run of the season Thursday night, a sixth-inning shot that drew the Rangers within two runs of the Angels.
That's 11 more RBIs than Profar had in his major league career (633 at-bats) entering this season. A switch-hitter who was mostly a disaster at the plate against left-handed pitching, he has improved immeasurably this season, lifting his overall totals. After owning a career OPS of .638 through last year, Profar had an OPS of .785 entering Thursday's game against Los Angeles.
"From Day One of spring training, we've seen little increments of growth weekly,'' Banister said. "There's a maturity to how he's approaching the game now. Little things don't seem to distract him much any more. He's staying engaged.
"Plus he's staying healthy."
The last statement was the critical one. Profar had more at-bats for the Rangers in 2013 when he was 20 years old than in any season since prior to this one. In 2014 and 2015, almost exclusively for injury reasons, he never played in a major league game.
He made a partial comeback in 2016 but was an afterthought last year (batting .172 in 58 at-bats), leaving all to wonder if the former No. 1 prospect in baseball had a future here or anywhere else in the majors.
His value always seemed to dip to its lowest whenever there might have been an opportunity for GM Jon Daniels to see what he could bring on the open market. In fact, Profar was benched for a day at Triple-A Round Rock last season because he was upset at not being dealt at the trade deadline.
Now, in a lost season for the team, Profar has locked in as a dependable regular, even if he has to keep adjusting gloves. He has a better OPS than Beltre, Ronald Guzman, Nomar Mazara or Elvis Andrus. And just to remind folks it's not strictly about the bat, Profar kept a 6-3 game close in the fourth inning by turning the rare 5-4 triple play. With the bases loaded, Profar fielded David Fletcher's ground ball and stepped on third, then tagged the runner who had just started to leave third before flipping the ball to Rougned Odor for a force out at second.
It was only the second triple play of the major league season and the second ever in Globe Life Park. The stadium's being put out to pasture -- a sign in left field reminds us only 98 Rangers games remaining here before the club moves across the street -- but Profar is just settling into his job. But according to Elias, it was the first triple play since 1912 -- yes, 1912 -- in which the batter was not retired.
"I was just thinking double play. Step on the base, tag the runner," Profar said. "I didn't know the runner from first hadn't moved so I just threw the ball to second."
A victory with a slice of history.
And with Beltre hinting at the recognition that he cannot battle these hamstring injuries forever, third base is likely to be the province of another Ranger soon enough. Igniting a triple play in one inning and punching a home run in another, Profar suggested the spot shall remain in capable hands.