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All Aboard the Gregory Polanco Hype Train in 2020
By Marty Leap
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco is back, happy, and healthy. Now, it is time for fans to cram onto his hype train for the 2020 season.
The 2019 season was a lost season for Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco. After injuring his shoulder in September of 2018 Polanco underwent off-season surgery. He worked hard to be ready for Opening Day 2019, but, looking back, he probably pushed the envelop too much.
Polanco would still start the 2019 season on the injured list, and this was just the beginning for the 28-year-old outfielder. In May, Polanco would return to the lineup. However, this return would last for just 42 games.
After slashing .242/.301/.425 with a wRC+ of 87 in 42 games, Polanco returned to the injured list. Eventually, this led to him being shutdown and his 2019 season coming to an end. Ultimately, the 2019 season was a lost one for Polanco.
In 2018 the former top-10 overall prospect appeared to be turning a corner and putting it all together. The Pirate right fielder had a career season slashing .254/.340/.499 with a 123 wRC+, .245 ISO, 23 home runs, an 11.4% walk rate, and a 2.5 fWAR. His slugging percentage, wRC+, ISO, home runs, walk rate, and fWAR were all career highs.
While Polanco helped the Pirates put together their fourth winning season in six years in 2018, as was mentioned above, his season also ended prematurely. So, his numbers could have been even better. While 2019 was a lost season, Polanco is currently in what should be the prime of his career and is a prime bounce back candidate for 2020.
Prior to his injury, Polanco appeared to be putting his early career inconsistencies behind him. From the start of the 2016 season through the end of his 2018 campaign Polanco slashed .255/.324/.455 with a 105 wRC+ and a .200 ISO in 1,553 plate appearances. This, as we have covered, was capped off by his career best 2019 season.
Now, Polanco is healthy and happy again. He is also ready to make his presence felt once again in 2020.
On Saturday, Polanco met with the media at Pirate City and was asked how he felt. What did he have to say? Well…
"“Oh, way better. Way better. Last year, it was like, ‘Um, I don’t really know.’ It was my first-ever surgery. Going through that, I didn’t know how to adjust to that. But now, I’m healthy. Now, I can tell you, I’m healthy.”"
That sounds like a healthy, confident hitter. And when he’s healthy and confident, Polanco can be one of the most dangerous hitters in the National League Central division.
Next. Were the Pirates Victimized by the Astros Cheating?. dark
Polanco remains under team control through the 2023 season. So, he remains a big part of the Pirates’ future. There is reason to believe he will bounce back in 2020 and get back into the groove he was starting to find in 2018 before shoulder issues got in the way. If this does indeed happen, that will be a great sign for the future of the Pirates and their newly developing core. So… all aboard the Polanco hype train in 2020.