Gregory Polanco Will Break Out During 2016 MLB Season

Gregory Polanco broke into MLB with the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 10, 2014 and got off to a pretty quick start.

He recorded his first hit in his debut, his first RBI the following night and a few days later he hit his first career home run, which was a game-winner in the 13th inning as part of a five-hit game. He became the first Pirates player to start his career with an eight-game hit streak.

Polanco cooled off and was eventually optioned back to Triple-A Indianapolis before resurfacing with the team when rosters expanded in September. He finished the campaign hitting a modest .235 in 89 games.

He got off to a slow start in 2015 before heating up in August. He finished the season as one of the most productive right fielders in baseball, pulling his average up to .256 after 153 games. He became the Bucs’ premier right fielder and is molding into one of the best at his position.

Pittsburgh’s outfield has been anointed by many as the best in the league. Led by former National League MVP Andrew McCutchen, the trio which also includes left fielder Starling Marte all have the potential and ability to be five-tool players.

Polanco is young, talented and finished his first full season as one of the league’s hottest hitters. He’s part of a Pirates team that has been to the postseason three years in a row following a 20-year drought. They’re poised to get back again in 2016 but they’ll need a breakout season from Polanco because of the heavy competition in the National League Central.