Jorge Polanco Bio
Jorge Luis Pacheco Polanco (born July 5, 1993) is a Dominican professional baseball infielder and designated hitter for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Minnesota Twins and Seattle Mariners. Polanco made his MLB debut in 2014 and was an MLB All-Star in 2019.
Early Life and Background
Jorge Polanco was born in the Dominican Republic. He grew up in a family environment that fostered his love for baseball. His early exposure to the sport came from playing with local teams and participating in community games. Polanco signed with the Minnesota Twins as an international free agent in 2009, receiving a $725,000 bonus. He made his debut in 2010 for the Dominican Summer League Twins, where he began to showcase his talent.
Path to Baseball
Polanco played for the Gulf Coast League Twins in 2010, hitting .233/.303/.294. He continued to develop in the minor leagues, showing significant improvement in his batting average and overall performance. In 2012, while playing for the Elizabethton Twins, he hit .318/.388/.514 with five home runs in 51 games. His success in the minors led to his promotion to the Cedar Rapids Kernels in 2013, where he hit .308/.362/.452 and was named a mid-season All-Star. This trajectory set the stage for his eventual debut in the major leagues.
Jorge Polanco Career
Early Career (2014-2016)
Jorge Polanco made his MLB debut on June 26, 2014, as a pinch hitter for the Minnesota Twins. He played four games that season, batting 2-for-5 with two walks. In 2015, he was named a Southern League All-Star while playing for the Chattanooga Lookouts. Polanco got his first extensive playing time in the majors in 2016, participating in 69 games and hitting .282 with four home runs and 27 runs batted in.
Breakthrough (2017-2019)
Polanco became the primary shortstop for the Twins in 2017, hitting .256 with 13 home runs and 74 RBIs. His breakout season came in 2019 when he was named an All-Star, batting .295 with 22 home runs and 79 RBIs. He hit for the cycle against the Philadelphia Phillies on April 5, 2019, and was recognized as the American League starting shortstop in the All-Star Game.
Notable Works and Milestones
Jorge Polanco’s signature work includes his All-Star selection in 2019 and his impressive performance during the 2019 season, where he hit .295 with 22 home runs.
Jorge Polanco Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Jorge Polanco has received recognition for his performances, including his selection as an All-Star in 2019.
Jorge Polanco Awards Won
Jorge Polanco has won the All-Star award in 2019, marking a significant achievement in his career.
Jorge Polanco Family
Jorge Polanco is married and has four children. He has shared that his family has been a significant support system throughout his career.
Personal Life
Jorge Polanco signed with the Twins in 2009 at the home of his grandparents, where he was raised for many years. He grew up playing baseball with future Twins teammate Miguel Sanó, which helped shape his early career. Polanco’s personal life remains relatively private, focusing on his family and professional commitments.