Jorge Polanco Stats & Scouting Report

AB	417
AVG	.213
OBP	.296
SLG	.355
HR	16

Full name Jorge Luis Polanco
Born 07/05/1993 in San Pedro De Macoris, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 208 / Bats: S / Throws: R
Debut 06/26/2014

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Polanco has been called to the majors four times in 2014 and 2015, though he has totaled just nine games. Having added 20 pounds since signing for $775,000, the switch-hitting Polanco grew up in San Pedro de Macoris, D.R., with Miguel Sano, his teammate at various times since they were 12 years old. While Polanco plays mostly second base each winter in the Dominican League, the Twins have given him a long look at shortstop, where a revolving door has been in place in the majors for years. Some Twins people see a young Tony Fernandez at the plate, where Polanco gets the most from his lightning-quick hands. Others see more pop in Polanco's bat as he uses the whole field and has learned to punish pitches on the inner half while maintaining solid contact and walk rates. Clocked at 3.95 seconds to first from the left side and 4.05 seconds from the right, Polanco has above-average speed but still lacks basestealing instincts. He has averaged 34 errors the past two seasons since moving to shortstop, showing fairly soft hands but an average arm that strains at times to match the added burden of the position. His range is only average and his play clock gets sped up, leading to unforced errors. Quiet and intelligent with a grinder's mentality, his makeup is strong. With all-star second baseman Brian Dozier locked up through 2018, Polanco is blocked at his best projected position. His bat is potent enough that he could finally get a chance to remake himself into a super-utility type, but for now the Twins seem content to let him keep progressing at shortstop. He should open 2016 at Triple-A Rochester.
A switch-hitter who has added 20 pounds since signing for $775,000, Polanco reached the majors briefly in 2014 and handled himself well in a five-game midseason cameo. He has shown the ability to play both middleinfield spots, and while he dominated the high Class A Florida State League, he struggled at times after making the jump to Double-A New Britain. Reminding some of a young Tony Fernandez at the plate, Polanco uses the whole field and has already learned to turn on pitches on the inner half. Polanco has at least average speed but has a long way to go with his baserunning acumen. In particular, he struggles to read pickoff moves, as shown by his career success rate of just 55 percent on stolen-base attempts. Limited mostly to second base in the low minors, Polanco made 35 errors this season at shortstop, though he has soft hands, an average arm and range that could improve to above-average as he learns to get better reads off the bat. Now 21, Polanco figures to return to Double-A in 2015. It remains to be seen whether he will stay at shortstop or move back to second. Some of that could be dictated by shortstop Danny Santana's future in Minnesota.
Just two years after batting ninth most nights in the Rookie-level Appalachian League, Polanco's star is on the rise. A switch-hitter who has added 20 pounds since signing for $775,000, Polanco has the best plate discipline in the Twins system. He has struck out just 32 more times than he's walked through four pro seasons. Reminding some of a young Tony Fernandez, the switch-hitter uses the whole field, shows excellent gap power and could develop into a 15-homer threat down the road. Splitting time again at both middle-infield spots, Polanco seems more comfortable at second base, where he shows soft hands and a plus arm. Managers voted him the low Class A Midwest League's best defensive second baseman. He has slowed as he's matured physically and is just an average runner. Bothered by a groin problem for his final six weeks at low Class A Cedar Rapids, Polanco suffered the injury while rounding a base but initially tried to play through it. Quiet and intelligent, he has a strong work ethic, a grinder's mentality and is quite coachable. Selected third overall in the Dominican League's draft, he played second base for Escogido in 2013 and should do the same in 2014 at high Class A Fort Myers.
Polanco finally may be ready to make his full-season debut in his fourth pro season. Despite his slow path, he made major strides in 2012 and added much-needed strength. He made the jump to Elizabethton and had his best season after sliding to second base, in part so the Twins could evaluate Niko Goodrum at shortstop. He's a more reliable defender than Goodrum, with good actions and hands, sound footwork and impressive consistency for a teenager. Polanco has put on 20 pounds since signing, giving him the strength to drive the ball and break out offensively. He finished sixth in the Appalachian League in batting (.318), fifth in on-base percentage (.388) and even fourth in slugging (.514). He has a solid swing from both sides of the plate and makes solid contact. With his physical maturation, Polanco got too tight and lost a step. He's now a fringy runner and his range is just adequate at shortstop--where he made four errors in 14 starts--leaving him better suited for second base. Minnesota likes his grinder attitude and makeup. After batting ninth most of the year for Elizabethton, Polanco has raised expectations. With a good spring, he should earn the everyday second-base job at Cedar Rapids for 2013.
When Minnesota signed Dominicans Polanco and Miguel Sano as part of the same international class in 2009, it probably hoped to keep them moving in tandem. They broke into pro ball together in the Dominican Summer League, and arrived in the United States together on July 4, 2010. But Polanco, who's significantly less physical than Sano, hasn't hit enough to keep pace. He has baseball skills and flashes the tools to be a potential everyday shortstop, with good hands, infield actions and instincts. He also has an average arm that could get better as he gets stronger. He played six positions in 2011: shortstop, third base, second base and all three outfield spots. Polanco lacks the strength to repeat his swing or defensive actions over the grind of everyday play. His swing mechanics are good enough for him to make consistent contact, but he doesn't project to hit for much power. He's an above-average runner once he gets going, but his lack of blazing speed further limits his offensive upside. The Twins think they'll have a player if Polanco gains strength. He's headed back to Rookie ball in 2012.
The Twins have linked Polanco and Miguel Sano, signing them as part of their 2009 international class and sending them to the Dominican Summer League to start 2010. They came to the U.S. together on July 4, debuted the next day (Polanco's 17th birthday) and spent the rest of the season in the Gulf Coast League. Polanco split time at shortstop and second base there with 2010 second-round pick Niko Goodrum. Polanco has topshelf defensive tools at shortstop, with his actions, range, hands and arm strength all rating above average. His bat isn't as advanced as his glove, and he realizes he'll have to play small ball to contribute offensively. A switch-hitter, he focuses on making contact and has the makings of good plate discipline. He needs to add strength but won't ever provide much power. Polanco is more quick than fast and won't be a big basestealing threat, though he has plus speed under way. He has impressed Minnesota with his work ethic and leadership qualities. Polanco's bat will dictate whether he's a future regular or a utility player, but his glove and makeup should get him to the majors. He's slated to join Sano at Elizabethton in 2011.

Minor League Top Prospects

Polanco began and finished the 2015 season at Chattanooga, intermingled with two brief callups to Minnesota and a month-long run at Triple-A Rochester in July. Scouts see him as an offensive-minded second baseman--his .289 average ranked ninth in the SL--who can key a lineup batting either first or second in the order. The switch-hitter uses lighting-quick hands to whip the bat through the zone from both sides of the plate, rifling the ball all over the field. His strong plate discipline will allow him to work walks and hit for high averages, though his power output will be modest. Pitchers with good changeups can disrupt his timing, but Polanco can drives fastballs and stays on breaking balls well. At least a solid-average runner, he remains a low-percentage basestealer who might not get many green lights in the majors. Polanco has played more than 100 games at shortstop in each of the past two seasons, yet he hasn't cleaned up his fundamental play or improved his focus enough to improve his fielding average, which held steady at a below-average .935 at two minor league stops in 2015. The Twins haven't closed the book on his shortstop career, but most rival scouts project him to the keystone.
The Twins thought enough of Polanco to call him up for an emergency five-game stretch in late June, due in part to the fact he already was on the 40-man roster. It was also due to his defensive strides and fairly mature offensive game for his age. Polanco may not have the pop (he has well below-average power) or basestealing chops (despite plus speed) to project as an impact regular. However, he has a contact approach, draws walks, handles the bat and can leg out extra-base hits. Having played more at second base than at shortstop prior to this season, he played exclusively the latter prior to his big league callup. Polanco has the tools to be an above-average defender at short, having improved his footwork, particularly to get his feet headed in the right direction to improve the carry and accuracy on his throws. He still needs to make fewer mistakes (he had 26 errors), so he's not clearly a shortstop yet.
For a middle infielder who was once hampered by his lack of strength, Polanco has blossomed as the natural maturation process kicked in. He posted the fourth-best OPS in the MWL among qualifying middle infielders, trailing only Correa, Seager and West Michigan?s Devon Travis. Polanco has a sweet swing from both sides of the plate with a solid understanding of the strike zone and more than enough pop for a middle infielder. When both he and Niko Goodrum were healthy, Polanco played more second base than shortstop. But Goodrum was banged up enough that Polanco ended up splitting his time almost evenly between the two positions. He lacks the plus range evaluators like to see from a shortstop, but he is reliable with good hands and an average, accurate arm. He projects as a potential everyday second baseman who could slide over to shortstop in a pinch.

Top 100 Rankings

Best Tools List

Rated Best Defensive SS in the Florida State League in 2014
Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the Minnesota Twins in 2014
Rated Best Defensive Infielder in the Minnesota Twins in 2011
Rated Best Defensive Infielder in the Minnesota Twins in 2010

Career Transactions

Seattle Mariners activated SS Jorge Polanco from the 10-day injured list.
Seattle Mariners sent SS Jorge Polanco on a rehab assignment to Tacoma Rainiers.
Seattle Mariners sent SS Jorge Polanco on a rehab assignment to Tacoma Rainiers.
Seattle Mariners sent SS Jorge Polanco on a rehab assignment to Everett AquaSox.
Seattle Mariners sent SS Jorge Polanco on a rehab assignment to Everett AquaSox.
Seattle Mariners placed SS Jorge Polanco on the 10-day injured list. Right hamstring strain.
Minnesota Twins activated SS Jorge Polanco from the 10-day injured list.
Minnesota Twins sent SS Jorge Polanco on a rehab assignment to St. Paul Saints.
Minnesota Twins sent SS Jorge Polanco on a rehab assignment to St. Paul Saints.
Minnesota Twins sent SS Jorge Polanco on a rehab assignment to St. Paul Saints.
Minnesota Twins placed SS Jorge Polanco on the 10-day injured list retroactive to June 9, 2023. Left hamstring train.
Minnesota Twins activated SS Jorge Polanco from the 10-day injured list.
Minnesota Twins placed SS Jorge Polanco on the 10-day injured list retroactive to May 18, 2023. Left hamstring strain.
Minnesota Twins activated SS Jorge Polanco from the 10-day injured list.
Minnesota Twins sent SS Jorge Polanco on a rehab assignment to St. Paul Saints.
Minnesota Twins sent SS Jorge Polanco on a rehab assignment to Fort Myers Mighty Mussels.
Minnesota Twins sent SS Jorge Polanco on a rehab assignment to Fort Myers Mighty Mussels.
Minnesota Twins placed SS Jorge Polanco on the 10-day injured list retroactive to March 27, 2023. Left knee inflammation.