What's Going On With Jorge Polanco?

It's really hard to say about any player because offensive stats are significantly down across both leagues.  I have to believe the ball is the biggest reason.  Personally, I wish MLB would stop tinkering and let the players play.  Let the players adjust to the game instead of adjusting the game.

I'd guess he's injured again.  When he's injured, these are about his numbers.  When he's not, he's an all star.  Jorge will never say he's too hurt to play.  He's a gamer, good stats or bad.   

Have to admit, (and this isn't usually the case with your articles), I'm seeing more of your personal bias than meat to Polanco's "problems". Yep, a slower than expected start, but most of the underlying stats show Jorge is striking the ball as well as last year. And hitting slightly better than the league, and leading the team in RBI, but you personally "don't care" about those two items, and refer to his line as "trash".

I see Jorge finding his way in a radically different hitting environment; one that isn't announced, and literally has to be felt through inning by inning. Are multiple versions of balls in play? Are balls being 'humidored' unevenly? Who the hell knows? Like many, he is fighting through this while still producing as many (actually more) run scoring hits than any of his team-mates. I'm okay with that, happy to see him in the lineup, expect him to get better, and consider him one of the least of my concerns for the Twins.

Polanco is perhaps THE Twins player in recent years who remains on the field, quietly playing through injuries.  It would not be surprising to learn after the fact that he is trying to stay on the job with a bad ankle.  He has made some sparkling defensive plays at second and earlier in the season he had some clutch hits.  I respect Polanco and I think this article underestimates him and his value to the team.       

Polo is the Twins leader despite the high profile of Buxton and Correa. Several days ago he seemed to be back in a mode of favoring his ankles with his swing. I hope he is ok because the team needs a healthy Jorge Polanco.

I don't like the fact that Polanco is increasing his launch angle, together with his ankles are bothering him a little. I agree with Baul that Polanco is gamer and will play thru any injury. You can't trust him to let you know when he's hurting so you have to give him a planned rest thru out the season. He's always on the field much more than anyone, even when he's hurt.

Maybe it's my imagination, but it seems like they are shifting him more this year. And he seems to hit into it consistently.

Polanco's been beating the shift this year pretty handily as a LH hitter, but he's been eaten up by it as a RH hitter. 

• 2021 - .267 xBA .488 xSLG .348 xwOBA 
• 2021 - .269 AVG .503 SLG .349 wOBA
• 2022 - .272 xBA .426 xSLG, .369 xwOBA
• 2022 -  .223 AVG .346 SLG, .300 wOBA

Basically, Polanco has been super unlucky so far this year. Last year his xwOBA and wOBA were a dead match, and historically, they've generally been within 10-20 pts across his full season. He's 70pts under expected this year. He's walking far more than he ever has so his actual OBP is almost identical to last year, but the power numbers aren't there, largely out of sheer luck. For example, Polanco's 5 HRs this season would have been 12 HRs if he was playing in Cincinnati's park the entire time, though he'd only have 4 at Yankee Stadium or Kaufmann. At the average MLB stadium, Polanco would have 7 HRs. Aside from that, his exit velocities, barrel rates and hard hit rates are all right about the same as last year.

What's wrong with Polanco? Nothing.

What's wrong with Polanco?

What's wrong with pretty much all of the Minnesota Twins? ?

Looking at Baseball savant Jorge’s hart hit % is 40.8% which is the highest of his career.  The mlb hard hit average % is 35.6%.  Issue is Jorge is not making as much contact.  His strike out % is 23.2% which is the highest in his career.  I see Jorge’s issues as the same issue the vast majority of hitters are having.  The pitching is elite and hitters are making as much contact.  Jorge has had some bad luck so I can see his batting average creeping up to the .250-.260 range and his OPS ending up in the low 800s

What's wrong with Polanco?  Nothing much that I can see.  Unlike some players on the team Jorge plays.  He doesn't sit out with a hang nail.  And for some reason he isn't babied by Baldelli by giving him a couple of days off per week.  I like Polanco.  To me he's the heart and sould of the team so far since many days we can't even find Buxton.  Keep hanging in there Jorge.  You are doing great and we need you!

The fact he missed games because of ankle issue is an issue.  That has been his biggest issue as it goes to output.  The fact that we have so many other guys missing games around our infield he has not got as many games off as I think the Twins would have liked. 

I think it’s far less complicated than all that. I think it’s likely his ankle is bothering him again. I thought I heard that mentioned from at least one credible Twins person.

I think Polanco is playing hurt with a bad ankle. He doesn't complain but you can see him favoring the ankle when he gets fooled on a swing. I could easily see him going on the 10 day IL either when Correa comes back with Arraez moving to 2B and Miranda the full time 1B, or when Lewis comes back. It would probably be the best thing for him,