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, making his major league debut in 2014. Polanco was recognized as an MLB All-Star in 2019, showcasing his skill and contribution to the sport.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2009: Signed with Minnesota Twins

In 2009, Jorge Polanco signed with the Minnesota Twins as an international free agent, receiving 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. He was roommates with Max Kepler in Florida.

2012: Elizabethton Twins Performance

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

2013: Cedar Rapids Kernels & Dominican League

In 2013, Jorge 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. After the season, he played for the Leones del Escogido of the Dominican Professional Baseball League. In November, he was added to the Twins 40-man roster.

2014: MLB Debut

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

2014: MLB Debut and Minor League Season

In 2014, Jorge Polanco started the season with the Class-A Advanced Fort Myers Miracle. He was called up to the majors for the first time on June 26 and made his MLB debut that day, drawing a walk as a pinch hitter. He played a few games for the Twins before being sent back down to Fort Myers, and later to the Double-A New Britain Rock Cats. He hit .288/.353/.395 in 88 minor league games.

2015: Double-A, Triple-A, and MLB Appearances

In 2015, Jorge Polanco started back in Double-A with the Chattanooga Lookouts and was called up to the Twins, making his second career MLB start on June 10. He was named a Southern League All-Star. On July 4, he was promoted to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. He returned briefly to the Twins in late July. MLB.com and Baseball America ranked Polanco near the bottom of their top 100 prospects lists.

2016: Extensive MLB Playing Time

In 2016, Jorge Polanco received his first extensive playing time in the majors, participating in 69 games. He began the season in Rochester before being promoted to the Twins, then demoted back to Triple-A for two months before returning to the Twins on July 30. He was a minor league All-Star for the third time, hitting .282 with 4 home runs and 27 RBIs for Minnesota.

2017: Primary Shortstop and Postseason Debut

In 2017, Jorge Polanco became the primary shortstop for the Twins, hitting .256 with 13 home runs, 74 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases in 133 games. On August 29, he hit home runs as both a right-handed and left-handed batter in the same game. He made his postseason debut, batting 1-for-4 in the Wild Card Game loss to the New York Yankees.

2018: Drug Suspension

Jorge Polanco's drug suspension occurred in 2018, causing him to play his fewest games since then in 2023.

2019: Contract Extension and Hitting for the Cycle

During spring training in 2019, Jorge Polanco signed a five-year contract extension worth $25.75 million with club options for 2024 and 2025. On April 5, Polanco hit for the cycle against the Philadelphia Phillies, going 5-for-5 with one RBI in a 10–4 loss.

2020: 2020 Season and Ankle Surgery

In 2020, Jorge Polanco hit .258 with 4 home runs and 19 RBI in 55 games. He batted 1-for-7 as the Twins lost to the Houston Astros in the Wild Card Series and underwent offseason ankle surgery for the second consecutive year.

2021: Shift to Second Base and Career Highs

In 2021, due to the Twins signing Andrelton Simmons, Jorge Polanco shifted to second base. He set career highs with 33 home runs and 98 RBIs, batting .269/.323/.503. He was named the Twins' MVP and most improved player for 2021.

2022: Lowest Career Average

In 2022, Jorge Polanco hit .235, the lowest average of his career thus far, but walked in 14.4 percent of plate appearances. He hit 16 home runs in 104 games. Manager Rocco Baldelli later said Polanco could barely walk or swing a bat in 2022.

April 28, 2023: 100th Career Home Run

On April 28, 2023, Jorge Polanco hit his 100th career home run. He began 2023 playing second base but moved to third base after returning from the injured list.

2023: Performance and Postseason

In 2023, Jorge Polanco hit .255/.335/.454 in 80 games, his fewest since his drug suspension in 2018. While the Twins won their first postseason series in 21 years, Polanco hit poorly, going 4-for-21 in the playoffs.

January 29, 2024: Traded to Seattle Mariners

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