@AaronGleeman
Aug 31

Jorge Polanco has started 176 games at shortstop since the beginning of last season and @BaseballPro rates him as -14 runs. And that was before tonight.

He's a big plus in the lineup; hopefully better and needed at second?

I like this thought. Sign Iglesias and move Polanco to 2B. That fixes two positions up the middle as I think Polanco is a better 2nd baseman than anyone else currently on the free agent market. And then because Igelsias is so good defensively, it would help Sano as well IF Sano is still going to be the main 3rd baseman.

This is what happens when yourj manager tries to make square pegs fit round holes. I never considered Polanco a MLB SS, but I do consider him a MLB hitter. To paraphrase a different post in another thread, 'you cannot have a competitive MLB team with Jorge Polanco as your SS'!

@AaronGleeman

Aug 31

Jorge Polanco has started 176 games at shortstop since the beginning of last season and @BaseballPro rates him as -14 runs. And that was before tonight.

I feel this post has to be addressed.

As an athlete, as a potential offensive player, I am a huge proponent for Polanco. I am being honest and outgoing by stating this, even showing a certain degree of optimism and prejudice.

Except for a few guys...and I have spent the time to look up the numbers...most high quality, All Star, Gold Glove winners even, (Though I know there are debates about those awards), many ML SS experienced rather high error totals in their milb career. (Same for many 2B and 3B, FWIW). Most grew in to the job.

I hate to re-hash the past, but Polanco was signed as a glove first SS who you hoped would hit. Well, he learned to hit, and I don't believe we've seen his potential yet. He was bounced up and down in his service time early on with limited appearances at the ML, taken off AS for whatever reason(s) and then placed as the ever day SS. 176 games is only a bit over a full season at SS in the ML as a full time player. (After being practically pulled off the position in milb). I've absolutely seen him botch some plays. I've also seen range and ability that show me he can absolutely play the position with more time and experience.

Long term, I believe that the even more talented and athletic Lewis will push Polanco to 2B...eventually. Barring a trade or FA signing, IMO, Polanco is a solid SS with the potential to be pretty good with a little more time and experience.

I am so frustrated that our collection of 24-26yo players like Polanco, Sano, Buxton and Kepler aren't already ML studs and All Stars and budding All Stars. And then I review their potential, and the flashes they have shown, and I get frustrated that we are frustrated that that they aren't what we want them to be YET.

I feel this post has to be addressed. As an athlete, as a potential offensive player, I am a huge proponent for Polanco. I am being honest and outgoing by stating this, even showing a certain degree of optimism and prejudice. Except for a few guys...and I have spent the time to look up the numbers...most high quality, All Star, Gold Glove winners even, (Though I know there are debates about those awards), many ML SS experienced rather high error totals in their milb career. (Same for many 2B and 3B, FWIW). Most grew in to the job. I hate to re-hash the past, but Polanco was signed as a glove first SS who you hoped would hit. Well, he learned to hit, and I don't believe we've seen his potential yet. He was bounced up and down in his service time early on with limited appearances at the ML, taken off AS for whatever reason(s) and then placed as the ever day SS. 176 games is only a bit over a full season at SS in the ML as a full time player. (After being practically pulled off the position in milb). I've absolutely seen him botch some plays. I've also seen range and ability that show me he can absolutely play the position with more time and experience. Long term, I believe that the even more talented and athletic Lewis will push Polanco to 2B...eventually. Barring a trade or FA signing, IMO, Polanco is a solid SS with the potential to be pretty good with a little more time and experience. I am so frustrated that our collection of 24-26yo players like Polanco, Sano, Buxton and Kepler aren't already ML studs and All Stars and budding All Stars. And then I review their potential, and the flashes they have shown, and I get frustrated that we are frustrated that that they aren't what we want them to be YET.

I believe the frustration comes as we watch other teams bring up even younger players - St Louis, Nationals, Yankees, Braves are great examples this year and their players, even younger than ours come in and play well, sometimes exceedingly well.  So we have a right to expect players in their 25 - 26 year old years with 2 - 3 years of MLB experience to begin to shine.  

Polanco has digressed in the field as far as my eyes go.  I think I will write a blog about my 2B thoughts too.  The infield is a mess and that cannot take us to the championships we all crave.

Last season 3  good fielding outfielders helped our pitchers greatly. The same would be true of 4  good fielding infielders. I think too much emphasis is placed on offensive statistics  in these posts because offensive stats are more available and easier to quantify. I would like to see a ranking of the best fielding Twins, major and minor leaguers, according to fielding ability. To heck with these "sluggers" who strike out so much. I'm sick of it.

I like the idea of Jose Iglesias playing SS on a 1-year deal.  That would move Polanco to 2B or better yet the bench.

It will be Polanco as a place holder in 2019. Middle infield is arguably the strongest position in the minors. But with Gordon added to the list of minor league studs, major league duds, the middle infielders of the future are all in A ball.

So, yes, it is with great disappointment that I announce the 2019 opening day defense for our Twins:

Sano, Polanco, 30-something mediocre late-signing FA, Austin.

And an outfield of Rosario, Buxton and Cave.

Sigh.

I know Gordon had a down year, and Lewis might not stick at SS, but if things still go according to plan, what’s gonna happen to Polanco???

Polanco is a place setter.

Polanco would probably play better at second base.

But right now that leaves us with Adrianza at shortstop and nothing special at all with the bat or the base paths in the middle infield.

Nick Gordon NEEDED a look this September, just so the major league coaches could evaluate him, just so we could see his hands and movement in the field. He may not be ready, but you could learn if he would be ready at some time in 2019, rather than not.

Wander Javier is the dark horse. He is now a season behind Royce Lewis, who will play at AA...and (hey, remember Nick Gordon)...a player can advance from AA to the major leagues due to their stats in the southern league. Players do it all the time, right?

The question is: rebuilding team, which means you can give raw rookies a chance early. Or do you continue to fill holes with placesetters who...place set.