Pittsburgh Pirates Send Top Position Prospect Gregory Polanco To Minor-League Camp
By Matt Gajtka
Feb 27, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Gregory Polanco (62) smiles after he hit a solo home run during the first inning against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Just a couple days after the Pittsburgh Pirates sent their top pitching prospect to minor-league camp, they did the same with their best position player yet to make the majors.
Outfielder Gregory Polanco, considered by many to be the most prodigious everyday talent the Bucs have developed since Andrew McCutchen, was assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday morning along with right-handed reliever Duke Welker.
Polanco, 22, went 6 for 22 in 10 Grapefruit League games, slamming two doubles and a homer in the process. Conventional wisdom dictates that both he and promising righty starter Jameson Taillon, who was demoted Monday, will make their Pirates debuts around midseason.
In the meantime, the combination of Jose Tabata and Travis Snider will hold down right field, likely in a platoon-like situation.
Polanco first started attracting attention after posting a .910 OPS (on-base plus slugging) at Low-A West Virginia in 2012. The Dominican Republic native followed that up with a combined .791 OPS in 2013 across three minor-league levels.
Polanco played just a pair of games for Indianapolis last summer, so making the Pirates’ Opening Day roster was a longshot.
The Bucs host Philadelphia at Bradenton’s McKechnie Field today as exhibition play continues. First pitch from Brandon Cumpton is set for 1 p.m. Visit the Pirates’ website for an exclusive broadcast of the game.