Sickels on Jorge Polanco

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

.739 OPS in AA and .661 OPS in AAA in 2015.  The foul here is calling Polanco a major league ready bat. He may be close, and may be there this year, but that bat is hardly a sure thing to succeed, and his defense certainly isn't warranting a trial over Escobar and Dozier.

 

The foul is also calling Santana a major league bat, though. If the Twins suddenly need full time middle infielder besides Esco or Dozier this season, I hope Polanco gets the call.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

The foul is also calling Santana a major league bat, though. If the Twins suddenly need full time middle infielder besides Esco or Dozier this season, I hope Polanco gets the call.

I can agree with this take. I'd like to see Santana permanently slot into a super utility role unless his bat goes nuts. If someone goes down for a prolonged period of time, I'd like to see Jorge get a shot at starting duties.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

I can agree with this take. I'd like to see Santana permanently slot into a super utility role unless his bat goes nuts. If someone goes down for a prolonged period of time, I'd like to see Jorge get a shot at starting duties.

And it might. It did in 2014 when he was called up. But after last year I feel there are better options. 

[Shane Wahl]

I like having Polanco there for any injury in that infield. The addition of third base is very nice for now. The only question is defense at SS, right?

[cmoss84]

 

Yep. Dozier has an OPS+ of 108 over the past two seasons. It's hard to find season-by-season data but second basemen historically average an OPS+ between 85 and the low 90s. That means Dozier is 15-20% better than the average second baseman.

Not to mention he is one of the main leaders in the clubhouse. Seems to have a Torii type personality.

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

 

Good to see Polanco is playing 3B often now for the AAA squad and he's looked good showing off plus range and strong arm.  Talked to him after the game  and he said whatever it takes to get to the big leagues

 

Is this something they are considering full-time with him? On one hand it would be nice to have an elite defensive 3B, but seems like he'd be pretty offensively average to below average there. 

[Bob Sacamento]

 

Is this something they are considering full-time with him? On one hand it would be nice to have an elite defensive 3B, but seems like he'd be pretty offensively average to below average there. 

Right now on the depth chart the 3B for AAA is Buck Britton and Steve Wickens.  Polanco will likely see the bulk of 2B time as the rest of the middle infielders for AAA are Tovar (SS), Beresford (2B/SS), and Menses (UT). 

[Mike Sixel]

That's not exactly an inspiring list of infielders.......

[DaveW]

I think best case scenario is that Polanco continues to play well and Escobar has another solid but not great season. Allowing the Twins to trade off Escobar as an "average" MLB SS and thus give Polanco the SS position. Escobar should be able to bring back a solid return in that scenario.

 

3-4 years down the road Dozier is most likely gone, you move Polanco to 2B and Gordon is your SS.