Pittsburgh Pirates Super Prospect Gregory Polanco Heads to Disabled List

The Pittsburgh Pirates have had some bad luck injuries to their top level prospects this season.  Add Gregory Polanco to the list of talented players bit by the injury bug.  Polanco was placed on the DL today with an ankle injury.

The toolsy outfielder leads the West Virginia Power in average and is second to Alen Hanson in homers with fifteen.

The low-A prospect has played in 109 games, but has been out of the lineup since the injury happened on August 9th.  The outfielder is hitting .328 with 15 home runs, 81 RBIs and a .913 OPS, with a healthy .393 on-base percentage.

The 20-year old has also stolen 40 bases in 55 attempts.

Last week Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus had some particularly strong words of praise.

"There’s absolutely nothing not to like about Polanco. A lean and wiry  six-foot-four, the 20-year-old Dominican is the kind of player who  catches your eye the second he gets off the bus, and then he shows a  good approach, the potential for plus power, plenty of speed (40 stolen  bases), and good defense in center. This is a five-tool guy actualizing,  and rapidly, into an elite-level prospect."

Polanco was having a breakout season until he hit a base and rolled up his ankle putting him in a walking boot.  If we hear anything further on the extent of the injury we will be sure to get an update for you.  It was cool to see his spike in production this season after he didn’t hit with much pop last year when he played in the Gulf Coast League– .237 with three bombs, a .333OBP and a .694 OPS in 48 games.

So it goes with Pirates talent in the minors…