The Twins Most Underrated Player?

[Cody Christie]

Every MLB team has underappreciated players during their tenure with the club. One Twins player is nearing the end of his time with the club, and fans may not have fully appreciated what he has accomplished in recent years.

Image courtesy of Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

 

MLB teams need players to fit different roles on the roster, from the big bat off the bench to a fireman reliever out of the bullpen. Jorge Polanco is entering his tenth big-league season, and he has quietly become one of Minnesota’s most consistent presences in the line-up. Multiple traits make Polanco underrated as he has developed into one of baseball’s best second basemen before entering his age-29 season. 

Minnesota originally signed Polanco as a teenager out of the Dominican Republic in a strong signing class that included Max Kepler and Miguel Sano. Kepler and Polanco agreed to contract extensions leading into the 2019 season to add to their years of team control. He signed what turned out to be a very team-friendly deal for five years and $25.75 million. There is a vesting option for 2024 ($10.5 million) if he reaches 550 PA in 2023. Minnesota also holds a $12 million team option for 2025, with escalators based on All-Star Games, Silver Sluggers, and Gold Gloves. He’s earned over $18.3 million in his career, but his value to the Twins has been much higher than his earnings. 

Polanco has outperformed his contract nearly every season since becoming a big-league regular. He was limited to 104 games last season, and FanGraphs pegs his value at $14.6 million. His best season was the 2021 campaign when he provided 4.2 WAR, which equals $33.4 million in value. In 2019, he was the AL’s starting shortstop in the All-Star Game, and he was worth $26.2 million. Overall, he has been worth 13.9 WAR and $111.3 million. 

Every winter, MLB Network ranks the top players at each position. Polanco improved by one spot in the rankings, moving from seventh to sixth overall. Fans did not think as highly of Polanco as he didn’t make the top-10 fan list from MLB Network, with players like Ozzie Albies and Jazz Chisholm Jr. jumping over him into the list. Polanco isn’t a household name, so it’s easy to see why he might be forgotten about in fan voting. 

Among AL second basemen, Polanco has the third-highest WAR over the last two seasons behind Jose Altuve and Marcus Semien. He ranks sixth among all second basemen in the same period. Altuve is the only second baseman with a higher wRC+ over the last two years. Last season, he ranked in the 70th percentile or higher in xwOBA, Barrel %, xSLG, Chase Rate, and Sprint Speed. His best category was BB%, as he ranked in the 98th percentile after drawing a career-high 64 walks. He is clearly among baseball’s best second basemen in many offensive categories. 

Defensively, Polanco struggled in 2022, but a knee injury might have impacted his defensive value. Only three AL second basemen ranked lower than Polanco according to SABR’s Defensive Index. Baseball Savant ranked him in the 14th percentile for Outs Above Average and in the 25th percentile for Arm Strength. It will also be interesting to see how MLB’s shift rules impact his defensive value. Defensive metrics have been hard to trust the past couple of seasons, with the second baseman regularly standing in shallow right field. His ankle and knee issues may have slowed him down, which might impact his defensive value without being able to play on the grass. 

Polanco missed the last month of the season after a knee injury, but the team is reporting that he should be ready for spring training later this month. Minnesota also has multiple top prospects behind Polanco on the second base depth chart. Royce Lewis, Brooks Lee, Edouard Julien , and Austin Martin look to impact the roster in 2023, and second base might be their path to playing time. If Polanco’s injuries reemerge, the Twins might turn the position over to a younger player. 

Since the start of 2019, only Byron Buxton has provided more value to the Twins than Jorge Polanco. Some fans might have yet to fully appreciate that value, which is one of the biggest reasons he is underrated. Do you feel Polanco is an underrated player? Is he the most underrated player on the Twins roster? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. 

 

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[Fire Dan Gladden]

I truly hope he is not coming to the end of his Twins career.  Polanco is along the same lines as Cuddyer:  good to very good, but not great.  He should still have a few good years in the tank.  It would be nice to see him finish his career here, but he will probably be priced out of the Twins range in the future.

[The Mad King]

Underrated? Not by true fans. Underpaid? Sadly yes. 

[Ricky Vaughn]

I would like to to see him play out his career here too. Keeps his head down and shows up every day. Never wants a day off. Who would of thought between him and Sano that he would be the better player. Sadly I think he will be gone soon. to may good young infielders coming up and the hot prospect always looks shiny and new.

[Major League Ready]

I like Polanco well enough but my dream scenario is that Lee or Lewis or Julien or Martin or some combination of them replace Polanco with equal or better production and they get a big haul for Polanco.

[Brandon]

Polanco has enough team options that he will be around for a minute.  While he could be traded, I think it's also important to have veterans on the roster too and at 12.5 million he is a bargain.  

[Muppet]

2 hours ago, Ricky Vaughn said:

I would like to to see him play out his career here too. Keeps his head down and shows up every day. Never wants a day off. Who would have thought between him and Sano that he would be the better player. Sadly I think he will be gone soon. to may good young infielders coming up and the hot prospect always looks shiny and new.

Totally true. We expect all prospects to turn into Aaron Judge. We should be happy if they all play as well and consistently as Polanco. Probably only half will… and those that do will be dismissed as failures …. Like the truly most underrated player on the Twins — Nick Gordon. 

[Dman]

He is pretty under rated.  I know I don't always appreciate him as much as I should.  Gonna be an interesting year this year to see how the players behind him do.  Twins might need Polo one more year after this one but will have to wait and see.  The Guardian's playbook would have him traded while he can return something of value.  Have to wait and see how the Twins play it.

[sun]

Polanco & Buxton appear to be last 2 remaining Twins players to pass through the Eastern League's AA Twins affiliate New Britain Rock Cats. The last year of the team's 20 year affiliation with the Twins ended after the 2014 season when the Twins established their new AA affiliation with Chattanooga, which was before the current AA affiliate Wichita. 

I don't know if that is significant or not. However Wichita plays in the Texas League against teams that have different MLB affiliations then the Eastern League. The Texas League has 10 teams while the Eastern League has 12 teams. It's the largest AA league and has been in existence for 11 decades.  You can see it's affiliates on the page below. 

https://www.milb.com/news/eastern-league-overview

 

 

 

 

 

[JD-TWINS]

His 2022 was down in performance & he was hurt for a big stretch. So he’s a .270 career BA & 20 plus HR guy. He hits from both sides and has previously been an average or better defender. He’s declined on D and now that the Shift is behind us we’ll see where he’s at now. If he hits .270 in the middle of our line up, which he seems to be capable of if healthy, and hits his 20 HR, it’s a success!! If he plays “OK” defense, and hits, I can’t see us worrying about his potential $10 million in 2024. Need that veteran presence with Vazquez - Correa - Buxton up the middle.

I think either Gordon or Duran would be the most underrated coming off 2022.

Duran was at the Top of the League for relievers in ‘22! Not much more to say about his performance……..how he’s perceived by outside Twins nation, he’s way underrated! Easy to take him for granted if one is a local fan as well!

Gordon played wherever needed - with nearly everyone around him getting hurt for big stretches he played 4 different positions.

65 games in LF and 33 games in CF in his first year ever playing OF. Got a handful of games at SS and a couple dozen at 2B……..I think he has now cemented himself in the OF. He gained 25 lbs in 2022 and is healthy (intestinal issue) for the first time as a professional. 113 OPS+ ……. .272BA………28 doubles in 405 AB’s. I think with playing time he gets 40 doubles in 550 AB’s. Best answer in CF v. RH pitching when Buxton is DH or resting.

[Doctor Gast]

Being a very good switch hitter, IMO the Twins over depends on Polanco. You can plug him in with any pitcher & you can always expect a very good AB that's great in the clutch. That plus willing to play hurt has plagued Polanco. Polanco isn't injury prone, he just gets hurt like everyone but unlike everyone else he's trotted out to play out the season hurt. Everyone knows he's hurt because he's far from 100% but they still play him. Playing hurt drastically  effects his stats that people go crazy over. If given the adequate time to recuperate  his #s would be much better.

I'm a fan of Polanco and he's still needed here. But I'm sad that his days are numbered here because it's more practical to see the Twins future to take over. Polanco has been underrated & under appreciated. Hope he has a great season that he's capable of & help the Twins win their 1st post season game for a very long time.

[Beast]

Hard to argue with that.  That would be my choice also.

I knew I’d see people in here calling Nick Gordon and his career defensive deficit and average bat (at best) the most underrated player.  Despite 80% of fans clamoring to hand him a starting spot at a corner OF spot.  He’s arguably the most overrated player at this point.

This FO would squeeze water out of a stone if it was there be had with with their beefed up analytics department.  After running the numbers, they were so confident in Gordon that they signed  Gallo, traded for Taylor, and are keeping Kepler.

[DocBauer]

Crazy how he was signed as a defense first SS with a questionable bat ended up as a #2 or #3 hitter for most of his milb teams.

Injuries may have played a part in slowing his range somewhat, but I think he's still a pretty good 2B. The bat isn't a question at all. Even with the dead ball in 2022 he was producing until his injuries slowed him and eventually shelved him. He might be underrated, but not by me. He's an absolute "gamer" each and every day. Healthy, he's one of the Twins best players, producers, and amongst the best in MLB. When he's had his legs healthy, he's hit, hit for power, been one of the hardest players to SO, and has been clutch. While he's one of my favorite players to watch, and been a player I can't wait to see come up with opportunity, I sadly admit he may not be a Twin longer than 2024. Not yet 30yo, and not expensive, I think the reality is guys like Lewis, Lee, and Julien are going to be less expensive, and probably as talented and productive in the near future.

In the meantime, I'm hoping for a healthy 2023 where I just know he will be productive and maybe a 4 WAR player again if he stays healthy.

[Nashvilletwin]

2 hours ago, Beast said:

He’s arguably the most overrated player at this point.

Agree, he’s overrated (italics sarcasm font) - I have him about 18th on my list of most overrated Twins. I only have (not in any order) Duran, Ryan, Vasquez, Correa (overrated - not overpaid), Farmer, Polanco and probably Jax and Gray behind him - everybody else is more overrated than Gordon. 
 

Seriously, give the guy a chance.  He finally got his opportunity and did very well - offensively, defensively, with flexibility, dependability, and as a spark plug teammate.

 

[Nashvilletwin]

We should all enjoy Polanco while we can - look what happened to the two previous most underrated Twins (Urshela and Arraez)…lol

[Karbo]

Polo is one of the few Twins I feel will come thru in the clutch. He's proved himself for years now, I don't think of him being under rated and I don't think many true fans do.

[tony&rodney]

This article is right on. Last year was tough for Jorge Polanco. I believe it was his first stint on the IL. He has had a bit of a every other year performance flow, which bodes well for 2023. While Polanco was not a top shortstop and had his weaknesses playing there, he was pretty consistent. I felt he was not given his due when he was selected to be the starting shortstop for the All Star game. The selection is both fan and MLB player based. Polanco has been a steady presence for the Twins, providing power, good base running, solid defense, and clutch hitting.

[GeorgiaBaller]

What is Polanco's barrel rate? His bat has always had a good sound and pop from early on. His swing trajectory looks like middle to top half (like Mauer's was) for line drives.  It seems like many outs he makes he has hit solidly and he is 5ft away from being a doubles machine. 

[mikelink45]

I find it hard to think of him as underrated by the Twins - I think he might be underrated by other teams or we should be trading him while he has value - I know that is counter to the article and comments, but trade a player when he has value if you have replacements ready and then you build the prospect list.  

I don't underrate him, but I think he is replaceable and I hope we do not keep him too long or like Kepler we will not find a good trade partner. 

[farmerguychris]

He's fine.  I appreciate that for most of his career he was very dependable, injured or not, has some power, plays where he's asked to play. However - a time comes when you need to bring up the next wave of younger guys (when you have them - and we do) who could play this role and trade him while still has positive trade value.  I envision that being the direction we go.  

Unfortunately when someone is underrated, you need to find a trade partner who also thinks the same thing to get a good return.

[Cris E]

He's got something else that few others on this roster have: legitimate, displayed, non-2019 power.  Until we see someone other than Buxton hit 25 HR he's the man. Polanco was the only other one on the roster last winter when they went out to find more: Gallo usually does, Correa should, the kids might someday. But Polonco shows up, plays hard, and hits well. He's an important person in this roster not as a 2b but as a #3-4 hitter.  I could see him sliding to first if the Lewis/Lee/Martin infield crew arrives before the Larnach/Kirilloff/Wallner corner crew.

[Cody Christie]

3 hours ago, GeorgiaBaller said:

What is Polanco's barrel rate? His bat has always had a good sound and pop from early on. His swing trajectory looks like middle to top half (like Mauer's was) for line drives.  It seems like many outs he makes he has hit solidly and he is 5ft away from being a doubles machine. 

His 10.2 barrel% ranked in the 70th percentile last season, which was a career high. 

[sun]

This 2019 video with "El Capitan" and Justin Morneau shows Jorge's pregame workout which he does off of a hitting tee before games. It's amazing how much work that Jorge puts into his hitting which is why he's one of the best. He started switch hitting when he was 12 years old! He's given the Twins fans so much to be proud of, He's a true pro!

 

[Cody Christie]

1 hour ago, sun said:

This 2019 video with "El Capitan" and Justin Morneau shows Jorge's pregame workout which he does off of a hitting tee before games. It's amazing how much work that Jorge puts into his hitting which is why he's one of the best. He started switch hitting when he was 12 years old! He's given the Twins fans so much to be proud of, He's a true pro!

 

I had forgotten about this segment. Thanks for sharing. His Barrel% has increased in recent years. One has to wonder if these pre-game changes helped him to have more power. 

[sun]

17 minutes ago, Cody Christie said:

I had forgotten about this segment. Thanks for sharing. His Barrel% has increased in recent years. One has to wonder if these pre-game changes helped him to have more power. 

He must have an eagle's eye to hit the ball on the 3 spot. The best hitters in history are said to have their dominant eye on the opposite side or across of their batting side. When a switch hitter is as good as Jorge, you know he must be benefitting by having cross eye dominance. It helps to have the eye closest to the pitcher be the dominant eye. Then it's a matter of execution with his bat speed & a great swing & focus due to training.

[m-i-e-n-t-k-i-e-w-i-c-z]

21 hours ago, Muppet said:

Like the truly most underrated player on the Twins — Nick Gordon. 

Absolutely. Gordon's ability to be a utility player coupled with his improving skills, both offensively and defensively, make me so excited to see where he'll go this season.

[Cody Christie]

Who else do readers feel like is underrated on the Twins? I'd love to hear responses.

[Bigfork Twins Guy]

23 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

Being a very good switch hitter, IMO the Twins over depends on Polanco. You can plug him in with any pitcher & you can always expect a very good AB that's great in the clutch. That plus willing to play hurt has plagued Polanco. Polanco isn't injury prone, he just gets hurt like everyone but unlike everyone else he's trotted out to play out the season hurt. Everyone knows he's hurt because he's far from 100% but they still play him. Playing hurt drastically  effects his stats that people go crazy over. If given the adequate time to recuperate  his #s would be much better.

I'm a fan of Polanco and he's still needed here. But I'm sad that his days are numbered here because it's more practical to see the Twins future to take over. Polanco has been underrated & under appreciated. Hope he has a great season that he's capable of & help the Twins win their 1st post season game for a very long time.

I wonder why the team treats Polanco different?  Seems every other player is told to sit out until healthy even when they only get a hang nail.  If they had sit him until healthy, I'm sure fans appreciation of his talents would improve.

[Cody Christie]

1 hour ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

I wonder why the team treats Polanco different?  Seems every other player is told to sit out until healthy even when they only get a hang nail.  If they had sit him until healthy, I'm sure fans appreciation of his talents would improve.

This is an interesting thought. I can see both sides of the argument. On one side, he plays injured and underperforms. Some fans are happy that he "fought through" the injury and stayed on the field. Others are upset that his numbers dropped at the plate. If he sits out when injuried, some fans are going to treat him like Buxton. They won't be happy even when he is on the field and performing well. 

[Doctor Gast]

10 hours ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

I wonder why the team treats Polanco different?  Seems every other player is told to sit out until healthy even when they only get a hang nail.  If they had sit him until healthy, I'm sure fans appreciation of his talents would improve.

On paper Polanco always looks good in the line up. That's all they look at.