PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Yes, it's Spring Training. Yes, it's early Spring Training. But if the Pirates are going to do anything shocking this year, they need Gregory Polanco to have a big year. So far he's having a big spring.
"I'm strong," Polanco said Saturday after going 3 for 3 with a HR and 3 RBI. "I'm not thinking about my foot, my knee, my arm, my head. Right now I'm just focused on baseball. Just see the ball. Not thinking about injuries."
Polanco is 5 for 11 this spring with a pair of homers and 8 RBI.
"Not thinking about anything now," Polanco said. "If I do my routine, I don't have to think about anything in a game. I'm going to do the same every day and stay aggressive. I have to stay aggressive and on time. That's the biggest thing right now, stay on time. Last season, when I got in trouble it's because I was late."
"Aggressive is good and being on time," manager Derek Shelton said. "I think we saw him on time (Saturday). Two hits on the fastball, a hit on the breaking ball. Good swings, consistent. It's good. Anytime early in camp when you are starting to find your groove and barrel some balls up like him did (Saturday). It's a good sign."
The 29-year-old is coming off a horrid year. The right fielder hit .153 with 65 strikeouts to 24 hits. The previous season, Polanco hit only .242. What is tantalizing about him is 2018 with 23 HR and 81 RBI.
He's the highest paid Pirate by a mile ($11 million) and the Bucs have team options in 2022 ($12.5 million) and 2023 ($13.5 million). If he were to have a big year, or big first few months to the season; if nothing else, it might bring something back in a trade.
Until then the much-loved and oft-injured Polanco is just riding the wave of a good start to exhibition games.
"I'm just enjoying every moment," Polanco said. "Not taking anything for granted and having fun, man. Trying to stay healthy and do my best every time."
"I thank God because my body is good."
