Article: TD Top Prospects: #7 Jorge Polanco

[Cody Christie]

Jorge Polanco has seen limited action with the Twins in each of the last two seasons. Minnesota's use of Polanco in 2015 was unique as he was brought up for one game last June, sent back to Double-A, promoted to Triple-A less than a month later, brought back to the majors for three games, and demoted to Chattanooga where he finished the season. He's in his final option year and the Twins need to figure out where he fits into their long-term puzzle.Age: 22 (DOB: 7/5/1993)

2015 Stats (Chattanooga/Rochester): .288/.339/.386 (.725) with 23-2B, 3-3B, 6-HR

ETA: 2016

2014 Ranking: 8; 2015 Ranking: 7

 

National Top 100 Rankings

BA: 99, MLB: 97, BP: NA

 

What's To Like

 

Polanco's bat has been close to major league-ready for a couple of seasons and he's only entering his age-22 season. There were some struggles during his early taste of professional baseball where he hit under .250 in 275 GCL at-bats. He has developed into a .288/.348/.404 hitter through his minor league career. Polanco has even started to be recognized on the national level this year as Baseball America (99), ESPN's Keith Law (66), and MLB.com (97) all have him in their top 100.

 

Even though Minnesota has moved Polanco around a lot over the last two seasons, they wouldn't have done that if they didn't know the player could handle it. Many scouting reports peg him as a very smart player and he shows a lot of maturity even though he has been younger than the competition at every stop in his career. He's added some muscle to his frame over the last two seasons while continuing to be a good base runner.

 

What's Left To Work On

 

The Twins organization continues to play Polanco at shortstop even though he might not have all the skills for the position. Over the last two seasons, he has been charged with 65 errors at shortstop and he has a .932 fielding percentage for his minor league career. He's made some strides at the position but he projects to fit better at second base or even third base. Both of the Twins current players at those positions, Brian Dozier and Trevor Plouffe, started their careers as shortstops.

 

Offensively, the switch-hitter has hit only one right-handed home run during the last two seasons. However, last season he did post identical .341 OBP marks versus righties and lefties. As he has advanced through the system, his OBP has dropped in each season since posting a career high mark of .388 in 2012. As he continues to mature into his body, it would be nice to see a rise in his some of his power numbers, turning into a double-digit home run hitter with some doubles added in.

 

What's Next

 

At this point, there's no spot for Polanco in Minnesota. Brian Dozier is entrenched at second base and the Twins have Trevor Plouffe and Miguel Sano to play at third. Polanco's best shot at the majors would be to slide into the starting shortstop role but Eduardo Escobar will likely start the year at that position.

 

Unless an injury happens this spring, Polanco will start the year at Rochester and continue to play shortstop and second base. It seems like another year where Polanco could be moved back and forth between the minor leagues and the majors but he will be out of options for next season. This means Minnesota will have to trade one of their other starters or find a utility spot to keep Polanco on the roster.

 

TD Top Prospect #10: Nick Burdi

TD Top Prospect #9: Kohl Stewart

TD Top Prospect #8: Alex Meyer

TD Top Prospect #7: Jorge Polanco

TD Top Prospect #6-#1: COMING SOON

 

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[tobi0040]

 

It seems like he is too good to keep at AAA much longer. With plouffe at 3b and Dozier at 2b, under contract for at least the next two years it would seem he is either a SS or he or someone else is moving.

[Seth Stohs]

 

It seems like he is too good to keep at AAA much longer. With plouffe at 3b and Dozier at 2b, under contract for at least the next two years it would seem he is either a SS or he or someone else is moving.

 

Depth is good. Plus, he's only played in 22 AAA games, so it isn't hurting him to spend time there. There are sometimes injuries and other things. He'll get more opportunities. 

[tobi0040]

Depth is definitely a great problem. But with Plouffe under control another two years and Dozier I believe another three, if he is not a SS then something has to change (unless you have a major injury to either guy).

[Seth Stohs]

Polanco is out of options after the 2016 season, so they have to make a decision on him by the start of next season... they'll need to make a decision on Plouffe in July and at the end of the year and, and... Vielma will be at AA, and Gordon at High-A... So, it will be very interesting to see how it plays out.

[drjim]

He could be a high level utility guy if not traded.

 

Just don't think he'll be an everyday SS.

[mudcat14]

My personal belief is that he is the best 2B in the system.  Including Dozier.  Trade Dozier now and slide Polanco into the #2 hole at 2B and the Twins will be better for it in short order.

[Dantes929]

 

My personal belief is that he is the best 2B in the system.  Including Dozier.  Trade Dozier now and slide Polanco into the #2 hole at 2B and the Twins will be better for it in short order.

Dozier contract is probably friendly and I don't think he will replicate his power numbers.    If we can sell high we should.  Or Plouffe.     If Dozier happens to have a great first half again then we sell high at that point.    I don't care if Polanco hits for power if he can get on base a little better.   I can easily imagine  Buxton and Polanco doing well in the first two spots.  

[Monkeypaws]

 

My personal belief is that he is the best 2B in the system.  Including Dozier.  Trade Dozier now and slide Polanco into the #2 hole at 2B and the Twins will be better for it in short order.

My very thought - like Dozier, but I believe he has peaked. It would be a classic trade high scenario. 

Edited February 27, 2016 by Monkeypaws

[jimmer]

Dozier is the new Cuddyer.  A perfectly, ever so slightly, above average player.  But a leader type, a fan favorite and a guy comfortable talking to the camera.  I doubt he's going anywhere any time soon.  I'm fine with that, cause I like him and he's still a valuable player.

[jimbo92107]

Polanco makes the team as a utility infielder, then takes over if/when SS or 2B moves on or gets hurt. Right now I'd rather have Polanco's bat in the lineup than Santana's. He's also a better base runner than Santana.

[Brock Beauchamp]

"Sell high" shouldn't be uttered by a team that is attempting to compete for a postseason berth and has no viable replacement at the position.

 

Sheesh, you guys. This isn't a video game. There's no way Polanco even comes close to replacing Dozier's production in 2016. Are the Twins trying to win baseball games or an award for the best farm system in baseball?

[spinowner]

 

Sheesh, you guys. This isn't a video game.

It's easy to forget that you can't just make a favorable trade whenever you want. You have to get another GM to agree, and that simply doesn't happen all that often.

[The Wise One]

Sell high on Dozer. Walker brought back a middle to late rotation pitcher in a trade. That there War number says Dozier is better than Walker. The bat numbers say Walker is better. The Twins need better than a mid rotation starter. Dozier is not going to get a number 2 without a package deal. He could fetch a B+ prospect or two. that does nothing for the short termm

Polanco? OBP machine perhaps. More of a potential leadoff hitter. That has value. If production=HR, no Polanco can't replace Dozier. If production = 101 WRC+ then it is possible for Polanco to exceed Dozier.

[Paul Pleiss]

 

My personal belief is that he is the best 2B in the system.  Including Dozier.  Trade Dozier now and slide Polanco into the #2 hole at 2B and the Twins will be better for it in short order.

Play second, bat second. Are you, by any chance, Ron Gardenhire?

[big dog]

I would rather have Polanco on the team than Nunez, and if Buxton shows he's ready I'd rather have Polanco than D Santana.

[DJL44]

I thought Polanco got a 4th option for signing as a 16 year old just like Kepler.

[Steve Penz]

 

"Sell high" shouldn't be uttered by a team that is attempting to compete for a postseason berth and has no viable replacement at the position.

Sheesh, you guys. This isn't a video game. There's no way Polanco even comes close to replacing Dozier's production in 2016. Are the Twins trying to win baseball games or an award for the best farm system in baseball?

It has been said that Polanco has been moved up quickly and is playing with older players.  Maybe at AAA this year he starts to show more #s like those of 2013 because his body will start to catch up.  At that point then maybe the "sell high" discussion is more valid especially if Dozier continues to slide defensively and if his OBP does not rise.  To Brock's point, Polanco needs to produce more for this to make sense.  

[Steve Penz]

Also, how are people saying that Polanco can be a Utility guy?  If his arm is questionable at SS right now then it can't work at 3rd.  

[Seth Stohs]

 

"Sell high" shouldn't be uttered by a team that is attempting to compete for a postseason berth and has no viable replacement at the position.

Sheesh, you guys. This isn't a video game. There's no way Polanco even comes close to replacing Dozier's production in 2016. Are the Twins trying to win baseball games or an award for the best farm system in baseball?

 

Completely agree. Very well said. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

I thought Polanco got a 4th option for signing as a 16 year old just like Kepler.

 

According to the Twins Prospect Handbook, had Polanco not not spent time in the DSL before joining the GCL in 2010, he could have had a fourth option. So, he's got just 2016 remaining.

[roger]

Won't Nunez start to get expensive in 2017?  Sure looks like a spot opens up for Polanco as his replacement on the 25-man roster.  Then let them work out who is playing when and where.

[jimmer]

 

. Are the Twins trying to win baseball games or an award for the best farm system in baseball?

Well, if actions speak louder than words, I'd say the latter.

[bluechipper]

 

I would rather have Polanco on the team than Nunez, and if Buxton shows he's ready I'd rather have Polanco than D Santana.

I'd rather have Polanco down in Triple-A getting better instead of sitting on the bench for the Twins. He'll be up as soon as regular playing time opens up.

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

 

I'd rather have Polanco down in Triple-A getting better instead of sitting on the bench for the Twins. He'll be up as soon as regular playing time opens up.

Yes, Polanco needs work especially on his defense before he gets handed a starting job.  A year at Rochester playing SS can not hurt--bring him up only as injury cover.

[ScrapTheNickname]

We know Nunez's ceiling is pretty low, so I would hope, sooner rather than later, the Twins go with youth (Polanco) over the old guy with known limitations.

[bluechipper]

 

We know Nunez's ceiling is pretty low, so I would hope, sooner rather than later, the Twins go with youth (Polanco) over the old guy with known limitations.

If he's going to play once or twice every two weeks like Nunez will, then Polanco needs to be in Triple-A until a regular spot opens up.

[mudcat14]

 

Sheesh, you guys. This isn't a video game. There's no way Polanco even comes close to replacing Dozier's production in 2016. Are the Twins trying to win baseball games or an award for the best farm system in baseball?

 

I don't doubt that you're right about Polanco's production vs. Dozier in 2016.  I do however believe that if we look back in 5 years or so, that Jorge's numbers from 2016-2020 will markedly outshine Brian's.  As much as I'd love for the Twins to shine this summer, I think most of us will agree that this team is still a couple of years from it's peak with the influx of young talent we are seeing right now. 

 

I believe whatever return Dozier would bring in a deal would be much greater than any short term production loss Polanco would create at 2B.  The Yankees gave up Adam Warren for Starlin Castro and the $40mil remaining on his contract.  Dozier is much more productive and affordable.  I'll bet he and Hicks could have nabbed Warren and Garry Sanchez.   

Edited February 27, 2016 by mudcat14

[Thrylos]

 

Depth is definitely a great problem. But with Plouffe under control another two years and Dozier I believe another three, if he is not a SS then something has to change (unless you have a major injury to either guy).

 

Both of those are sell high guys, if Ryan has the guts to do it.

And Polanco is not a third baseman.  Not sure where that silliness came about.  He played zero games at third.  Never played the position.  And he is 5'11" with cleats.  Not your prototypical third baseman.  That suburban legend has to burn

 

One thing that is not mentioned is that Baseball America had Polanco as the best fielding Twins' SS 4 years ago or so.  Guess their eyeballs were different that the eyeballs of his detractors.  I think that Polanco will thrive as a SS with consistency, like most middle infielders do, when the SS and the 2B pair is the same for 90% of the games.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

I don't doubt that you're right about Polanco's production vs. Dozier in 2016.  I do however believe that if we look back in 5 years or so, that Jorge's numbers from 2016-2020 will markedly outshine Brian's.  As much as I'd love for the Twins to shine this summer, I think most of us will agree that this team is still a couple of years from it's peak with the influx of young talent we are seeing right now. 

Maybe 2018-2020. Maybe.

 

But what you're arguing right now is that a guy whose MiLB career OPS is .752 will  perform better than a guy whose 2015 MLB OPS was .751.

 

That's... Unlikely, to be generous. Outlandish, to be more realistic.