Gregory Polanco must be picked up now
By Matt Shetler
Coming from Pittsburgh and covering the Pittsburgh Pirates and doing fantasy work as well, the question I have been asked the most this season is “When should I pick up Gregory Polanco?”
Ladies and gentelmen, I have your answer and that time is now.
According to a report from SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo, Polanco could the call sometime during the Pirates next home stand, which begins June 6 with a three-game set against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Source close to situation says to expect Polanco callup during Pirates homestand 6/6-6/12. "I dont see them promoting him while on the road"
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) June 2, 2014
When Polanco does arrive in Pittsburgh he will be batting in the leadoff spot, something he has done the past two games in Indianapolis, where all he did was go 4 for 10, score four runs and steal three bases before Monday.
On the season Polanco has posted an insane .350/.411/.548 line to go along with six homers, 46 RBI and 14 steals in 55 games played.
olanco has had as much hype surrounding him than any other prospect in the past decade-plus. Polanco was ranked as the No. 3 prospect in baseball, according to ESPN’s Keith Law.
The Pirates called up Gerrit Cole last year on June 10 and by the time next season ends will have two years and 111 days of service time, which in all likelihood keeps him safe from Super 2 status. Since the Super 2 cutoff date has never been lower than two years, 122 days in recent memory, which happened in both the 2010 and 2013 seasons, you have to think that Cole is safe from Super 2 as well.
Judging by that and Polanco should already be safe from reaching the dreaded Super 2. The Pirates also aren’t going to call the kid up on the road, so if a move is going to happen, I would expect to see it this upcoming home stand.
If his call doesn’t this weekend it won’t be long. Therefore it makes sense to grab him now even if he has to sit on your bench for a week or two. If you wait too much longer, you may be too late.
If you held onto Polanco all year like I have in a couple of leagues, then good for you.
But if you are in a league where he is still available, go out and get him now.
He has the chance to be special and can be a difference maker on your fantasy team the rest of the season.