Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jorge Polanco

How Jorge Polanco built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Jorge Polanco is a professional baseball infielder from the Dominican Republic currently playing for the Seattle Mariners in MLB. He previously played for the Minnesota Twins. Polanco made his Major League debut in 2014 and was selected as an MLB All-Star in 2019, marking a significant achievement in his career.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2009: Signed with Minnesota Twins

In 2009, Jorge Polanco signed with the Minnesota Twins as an international free agent and received a $725,000 bonus.

2010: Professional Debut

In 2010, Jorge Polanco debuted for the Dominican Summer League Twins and also played for the Gulf Coast League Twins, hitting .233/.303/.294 with both teams.

2011: Plays for GCL Twins

In 2011, Polanco remained with the GCL Twins, hitting .250/.319/.349 in 51 games.

2012: Plays for Elizabethton Twins

In 2012, playing for the Elizabethton Twins, Polanco hit .318/.388/.514 with five home runs in 51 games.

2013: Plays for Cedar Rapids Kernels

In 2013, Polanco played for the Cedar Rapids Kernels, hitting .308/.362/.452 with five home runs in 115 games and was named a mid-season All-Star. He also played for Leones del Escogido after the season.

2014: MLB Debut

In 2014, Jorge Polanco made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut.

2014: MLB Debut with the Twins

In 2014, Polanco started the season with the Class-A Advanced Fort Myers Miracle and was called up to the majors on June 26, making his MLB debut that day. He played 4 games for the Twins, batting 2-for-5, before being sent back down to Fort Myers, later playing for the New Britain Rock Cats.

2015: Promotions and All-Star Selection

In 2015, Polanco started in Double-A with the Chattanooga Lookouts, was called up to the Twins on June 10, named a Southern League All-Star, and promoted to Triple-A Rochester Red Wings on July 4. He briefly returned to the Twins in late July.

2016: Extensive Playing Time in MLB

In 2016, Polanco received extensive playing time in the majors, playing in 69 games for the Twins. He was promoted to the Twins after 10 games in Rochester, demoted back to Triple-A for two months starting in late May, and returned to the Twins on July 30. He was also a minor league All-Star for the third time.

2017: Primary Shortstop for the Twins

In 2017, Polanco was the primary shortstop for the Twins, hitting .256 with 13 home runs and 74 RBIs. On August 29, he hit home runs as both a right-handed and left-handed batter in the same game. He also made his postseason debut.

2018: Drug Suspension

In 2023, Polanco hit .255/.335/.454 in 80 games, his fewest since his drug suspension in 2018.

2019: Contract Extension and Hitting for the Cycle

During spring training in 2019, Polanco signed a five-year contract extension worth $25.75 million with club options for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. On April 5, Polanco hit for the cycle against the Philadelphia Phillies.

2019: MLB All-Star

In 2019, Jorge Polanco was selected as an MLB All-Star.

2020: Performance and Postseason in 2020

In 2020, Polanco hit .258 with 4 home runs and 19 RBI in 55 games. He underwent offseason ankle surgery for the second consecutive year.

2021: Position Change and Career Highs

In 2021, Polanco transitioned to second base after the Twins signed Andrelton Simmons. He set career highs with 33 home runs and 98 RBIs and was named the Twins' MVP and most improved player.

2022: Lowest Career Average

In 2022, Polanco hit .235, the lowest average of his career thus far, but had 64 walks and 16 home runs in 104 games.

April 28, 2023: 100th Career Home Run

On April 28, 2023, Polanco hit his 100th career home run. After two trips to the injured list, Polanco moved to third base.

2023: 2023 Season Performance

In 2023, Polanco hit .255/.335/.454 in 80 games, his fewest since his drug suspension in 2018. He hit poorly in the playoffs, going 4-for-21.

January 29, 2024: Traded to Seattle Mariners

On January 29, 2024, the Twins traded Polanco to the Seattle Mariners for Anthony DeSclafani, Justin Topa, Gabriel González, Darren Bowen, and cash.

2024: Contract Option Year

2019, During spring training in 2019, Polanco signed a five-year contract extension worth $25.75 million with club options for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

2024: Twins Exercise Option

After the 2023 season, the Twins exercised their $10.5 million option on Polanco for the 2024 season.

February 3, 2025: Re-signed by Mariners

On February 3, 2025, the Mariners re-signed Polanco to a one-year, $7 million contract.

2025: Contract Option Year

2019, During spring training in 2019, Polanco signed a five-year contract extension worth $25.75 million with club options for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.