Has Jorge Polanco Returned to Form?

It's too early to say he's back to his All-Star form, but he's showing progress, and seeing more pop from his bat is a good sign. 

With Simmons ankle he may be back at SS - so lets hope his bat is ready to make up for any poor plays in the field. 

Other than 2020, he's been one of the most consistent hitters on the team in recent years (for contact, I'm still suspicious of the HR rise in '19). 

Let's not forget that it also takes a mental toll on many players when they change positions.

Encouraging that he is working back to what he was.  Along with Buxton, Arraez and maybe Kepler, they could be the foundation on which the Twins can rebuild.  

I am not sure. He is what he is. He is not a clutch player. That would typically mean he seldom does his job in crucial situation.

6 hours ago, jun said:

I am not sure. He is what he is. He is not a clutch player. That would typically mean he seldom does his job in crucial situation.

Runners in scoring position this season

.296 batting average and .382 on base%  11 RBI

If Polanco has his wheels beneath him, he will be a good player. Bad ankles led to some habits which changed his swing and lately we have seen him return to a healthy base in his at bats. Jorge is the least of the Twins problems; he looks to be back to form.

Let us forget, for a moment, what Polanco has been in the past. Not completely, we just don't need to repeat poor usage of options, or dredge up the death of his grandfather or his suspension.  When Polanco has been healthy, he's been damn good. 

It's been well documented that his first ankle surgery didn't work. Period. He struggled throughout 2020 just being a "gamer". He has been very open that...while the second surgery seems to have been successful...he learned a lot of bad habits while being injured. And he is only now starting to overcome those habits and starting to feel comfortable again from the left side. 

He is the least of the Twins problems right now. And he may or may not replicate his 2019 HR power production.  But even still, yes or no, his value as a quality hitter and producer isn't and shouldn't be based simply on HR numbers. He's just too good of a productive hitter, potentially and based on what we've seen before, to not be encouraged by what we've seen recently as he gets comfortable again.

But, even still, he's the least of the current problem. Still, jts encouraging to see him looking like his old self again.

I think people have been wanting Polonco to be more than he is.  Other than last year, and the start of this year he has been a good player.  We have been wanting him to be a great to MVP level player.  He is not that, but who should he be replaced with?  I bet you will be hard pressed to find too many second basemen to say you would want playing over him on both sides of the ball.  He has improved the overall defense being at 2nd and has been doing find on offense.  

If you do not look for him to be more than he is you will not be too disappointed.