Finally Healthy, Jorge Polanco Is Poised for Resurgent 2021

[Nash Walker]

Jorge Polanco, after his second ankle surgery in as many offseasons, is finally healthy and ready to do damage with the 2021 season approaching.Rocco Baldelli spoke with relief and optimism Monday regarding Polanco’s status.

 

“It’s fantastic to see him be able to take the field on a regular basis and not be hampered with things,” he said, “man it’s great to see him out there.”

 

Polanco struggled mightily to plant his right foot during the shortened 2020 season. His left-handed swing was noticeably weak and baseless.

 

He hit just .227/.287/.318 as a lefty in 169 plate appearances.

 

The right-handed heavy Twins lineup is in need of a boost from another lefty. Polanco’s 121 wRC+ versus righties from 2017 to 2019 ranked in the top-20 among American League players with at least 1,000 plate appearances. He tied for sixth among lefties.

 

 

“We really saw it [the ankle issue] in his left-handed swing,” Baldelli said of Polanco’s injury-related plummet in 2020.

 

Baldelli said Polanco’s health is a big part of why things are going so well for him this spring. The 27-year-old is hitting .310/.429/.448 (.877 OPS) with a home run and a double in 35 plate appearances.

 

The process matches the results. Polanco looks strong, especially from the left side. His spring swing looks grounded and forceful, as it did in 2019.

 

 

ZiPS projects Polanco to slash .279/.333/.440 this year. That’s a valuable line for a second baseman, a position that’s produced just a .720 OPS since 2018. That’s well below the .752 OPS provided by shortstops. ZiPS thinks Polanco will be 15% better offensively than second basemen of the last three seasons. If Polanco was still at short, he’d project as only 8% better.

 

Polanco has made some dazzling plays at second base so far this spring, instilling confidence that he’ll adjust well to his “new” position.

 

 

Polanco hit third for the Twins last Opening Day, splitting up Josh Donaldson and Nelson Cruz in an explosive lineup. The offense didn’t play out that way and Polanco started to see his name slip down the order.

 

This spring, he’s primarily hitting cleanup when playing alongside the regulars. He primarily hit second for the record-setting Twins in 2019, a catalyst and the team’s leader in bWAR (4.8).

 

“Polo is a really good player,” Baldelli said, “he does so many different things to help you win a ballgame but a lot of those things were taken away from him at different points.”

 

Finally healthy, Polanco is poised for a resurgent 2021.

 

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[Doctor Gast]

Expect great things from him, which will translate into wins for the Twins.

[big dog]

Dare we say...he's in the best shape of his life? Haven't heard that too much this spring.

[yeahyabetcha]

Important year for Jorge. If he provides average to above average defense at 2b and can slash .290/.350/.475 a return to the all star game could be in his future.

[Linus]

I think Jorge will be one of the best all around second baseman in the AL. He’s a proven hitter and I think after an adjustment period will be a top notch defender at second base.

[DocBauer]

Yes, I'm an optomist in general, but Polanco has been one of those "special" prospects to me since signed as a glove-first SS with a questionable bat. (My how things change over time).

 

When the bat started to come on while in milb, he was often one of the best hitters on his team. By the 2nd half of the season, he was often slid in to the 3 spot, or similar, to provide an offensive spark even if be didn't have big power numbers. Right or wrong, the former FO decided be could never be a viable ML SS and began to move him. Then, short of available talent, he basically burns an option year by being promoted and barely used too early. Molitor likes what he sees and puts him back at SS and even hit him 3rd quite often.

 

His initial introduction to MLB wasn't exactly handled with great care but he's worked hard, always been a gamer, and never complained. Forgive my memory, but there was one season, '16 or '17, when we began to see what the bat could become but he also struggled after the death of his grandfather, IIRC. In 2019 he made the All Star team before his ankle issues basically ruined the 2nd half of the year. We all know now the repair to his ankle didn't work and he played on one good leg all of 2020. No need to re-hash all of that. And we can debate forever about how good/decent or bad he is at SS WHEN HEALTHY. Personally, I think a healthy Polanco is OK at SS and I'm fine with him as the occasional backup. I do like him better at 2B, however.

 

What I don't think can be debated is just how good his offense has been and can be with 2 healthy wheels under him. It sure sounds like his 2nd surgery has gone very well. He has more than enough athleticism and talent to be an excellent 2B. And his bat is "complete" as a healthy hitter and even dangerous, though he is stronger from the more important left side.

 

I absolutely agree he will be an All Star at 2B, whether it's this season or beyond. But what's much more important is him just being healthy and doing what he is capable of doing. And I think he's primed and ready to do that in 2021. And beyond.

[denarded]

I hope Polanco rebounds. Don't want to fail on both Kepler and Polanco re-signings. I know we got them on team friendly deals, but this won't look good in a couple years. Kepler looks absolutely lost at the plate. I hope everything 'clicks' somehow April 1. I hated watching him bat last year and was glad it was only 60 games.