Fansided

Gregory Polanco headed back to Pirates

By Ted Schwerzler

Aug 12, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Gregory Polanco (25) singles against the Detroit Tigers during the seventh inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Gregory Polanco (25) singles against the Detroit Tigers during the seventh inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Pittsburgh Pirates have had a rather interesting season when it comes to their uber-prospect Gregory Polanco.  The talented outfielder tore up the minor leagues early in the season, but was left down on the farm in an effort to not expedite his service time clock.  He was eventually demoted back to Triple-A, but with the rosters expanding in September, he’s headed back.

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Out of the gate for the Pirates, Polanco tore the cover off the ball.  Through his first 16 games, Polanco hit .338/.416./441.  Over that span he crushed two home runs, drove in ten runs and only struck out nine times.  However, he then started to slide.

Before his demotion at the end of August, Polanco was hitting .241/.308/.349 with six home runs and 30 runs batted in.  While the numbers aren’t terrible, they aren’t anywhere close to what the Pirates expected out of the young outfielder.

No, Pirates beat writer Rob Biertempfel is reporting that Pittsburgh is set to recall the young prospect for the September stretch run.  However, in his demotion, Polanco only went 4-26 with a .412 OPS across seven games.

Pittsburgh likely would have been more pleased seeing Gregory Polanco get back to his baseball dominating ways at the plate, however the funk didn’t end.  With all young players, bumps in the road are to be expected.  For the Pirates, bringing him back up, they have to be hoping he is ready to immediately contribute.

Considering the Pirates find themselves three games out of the NL Central behind the division leading St. Louis Cardinals, and two games back in the wild card, they need a strong push over the month of September.  Here’s to hoping Gregory Polanco can provide that.

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