Video: Watch Gregory Polanco’s First MLB HR
By Matt Shetler
You knew that it wouldn’t be long before Pittsburgh Pirates prized prospect Gregory Polanco had his coming out party.
Little did anyone know that it would only take him four games to do so.
However Polanco did exactly that when he collected five hits and hit his first MLB home run in the 13th inning Friday night to lift the Pirates to an 8-6 victory over the Miami Marlins, pulling the Pirates to within one game of .500 in the process.
In just four games Polanco has shown everyone that he was indeed worth the hype.
Polanco became the only player in the modern era to have five hits and a home run in one of his first four MLB games, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
He also is the first Pirates player with four or more hits in a game within his first four career games since Brock Holt on Sept. 4, 2012. Polanco is also the first Bucs player to have at least eight hits in the first four games of his career since Jack Merson in 1951.
To start his big league career, Polanco is off to an 8-for-21 start at the plate with five runs scored, a homer and three RBI.
He will get the opportunity to add to that impressive start on Saturday when the Pirates face the Marlins in the second game of a three-game set. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 pm EST. Charlie Morton (3-7, 4.15 ERA) will get the ball for the Bucs and will be opposed by left-hander Randy Wolf (1-2, 4.18).
Take a look at Polanco’s big blast, which just promises to be the first of many.