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Pirates Preview: Angels in the Outfield

By Mark Powell

Oct 4, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates outfielders Starling Marte (6) and Andrew McCutchen (center) and Gregory Polanco (right) celebrate in the outfield after defeating the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park. The Pirates won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates outfielders Starling Marte (6) and Andrew McCutchen (center) and Gregory Polanco (right) celebrate in the outfield after defeating the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park. The Pirates won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 4, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Gregory Polanco (25) reacts at second base after hitting a double against the Cincinnati Reds during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Gregory Polanco (25) reacts at second base after hitting a double against the Cincinnati Reds during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Gregory Polanco

I’m expecting a big year out of this guy. Polanco’s body is 65% legs, 35% torso. He strides like a race-horse, yet he can be frustrating at times on the base-paths, similar to Marte.

Much of that has to do with where these guys learned to play the game. In many Caribbean countries, speed is emphasized, but learning how to control that speed is honed in the minors. In this case, it’s just taking a bit longer.

Fangraphs predicts a slight increase in Polanco’s offensive numbers, but they’re being modest. I expect Polanco to hit around .268, and his strikeout rate to increase by at least a percentage point.

Will he still struggle against lefties? Sure, but as we saw last year, he has a knack for working counts in clutch situations. Despite his slight power decrease in 2015, expect Polanco to hit double digit home runs this season.

Next: Pirates: Will the Catching lead the Bucs?

It’s unknown if he’ll ever be the 20+ home run hitter he was once predicted to be, but I’d be surprised if he didn’t improve on his meager nine long-balls from last season.