Curacao represented well by Gregorius, Rangers' Profar

ARLINGTON -- The small Caribbean island of Curacao was represented in a big way Thursday as both the D-backs' and Rangers' starting shortstops hailed from the semi-autonomous part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Arizona's Didi Gregorius, 23, and Texas' Jurickson Profar, 20, have at times this season represented two-thirds of Curacao's entire Major League contingent, though there are nearly three dozen players from the island in the Minors.

"We're trying to put our island on the map," said Gregorius. "We've got a lot of potential down there, a lot of guys trying to come up here and play."

Both players are making an impact this season, but the D-backs' Gregorius has the edge: he entered Thursday hitting .277 in 72 games while Profar is hitting .243 in 46 games.

Gregorius hit .304 (7-for-23) with a double, a homer and two RBIs in eight games prior to Thursday's contest against the Rangers.