Polanco's push; Pirates RF ready to shake injury bug in 2020

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The tools are there. They have been from the moment Gregory Polanco crashed into the big leagues six years ago as a raw mix of power and potential.

The looping swing that can occasionally send baseballs to the banks of the Allegheny River that flows beyond the right-field stands at PNC Park. The long stride that makes it seem like he can get from first to second in a handful of steps. For six seasons the 28-year-old right fielder has tantalized, to the point where the Pirates signed him to a contract extension in 2016 that could be worth $35 million through 2023 if the club chooses to hold on to him.

An “if” Polanco is well aware of. He's the last remaining regular from the core that led the Pirates to three straight playoff appearances from 2013-15 after the team traded center fielder Starling Marté to Arizona in the offseason. Polanco wants to be a part of the next wave designed to get the team back into contention. Or he could be a trade chip designed to help a team in transition stock up on younger and cheaper talent.

Either scenario requires Polanco to start delivering with consistency.

“I feel like I need to show.,” Polanco said. "That’s me personally. I need to do better than I did in the past. That’s me, personally. I want to prove me. I can do better every year. That’s the time that I need to step up and, OK, let’s do it now.”

He seemed to be on his way in 2018 when he hit 23 homers and drove in 81 runs before a comically exaggerated slide into second base in September against Cincinnati. Polanco's long legs went airborne as he tried to extend toward the base and when they landed he ended up tumbling forward, dislocating his left shoulder and tearing the labrum in the process. He endured a lengthy rehab and returned for 42 games in 2019, but his throwing arm was never...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Polanco-s-push-Pirates-RF-ready-to-shake-injury-15398627.php