Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

Polanco was in the top 10 of MLB Pipeline’s international prospects list when the 2021 international signing period opened that January, and he got paid accordingly, receiving a $2.35 million bonus from the Pirates. He’s made moderate progress each summer since, struggling in the Dominican Summer League after signing, showing some glimpses of his tools in the Florida Complex League in 2022 and then making a more substantial step forward, at least in the underlying metrics, with his first taste of full-season ball in 2023.

The biggest positive signs Polanco showed came in terms of impact at the plate. The left-handed hitter has added considerable strength, and it started to show up in stretches in Single-A Bradenton, even though he missed a considerable amount of time with a quad strain. He started registering much higher exit velocities, and there should be more to come as he continues to mature. He’s not afraid to draw a walk, though he could improve that area of his game, and he will need to cut the swing-and-miss down after striking out in 28.7 percent of his plate appearances last year. Even with the whiffs, though, he started showing the ability to get to his power.

Polanco still runs well, and there’s no expectation of the injury lingering moving forward. He’s seen time at all three outfield spots, although he’s looking more like a corner guy now in terms of his defensive acumen, strong arm and potential power profile. If things keep heading in the right direction, he could be an athletic run-producing right fielder in the big leagues. 

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

When the 2021 international signing period opened on Jan. 15 of that year, Polanco was heralded as one of the top outfield prospects in the class. His all-around tool set was the reason why the Pirates were willing to give him $2.35 million, one of the largest international bonuses the organization has ever given out. His production in the Dominican Summer and Florida Complex Leagues over the past two summers has been modest, but the raw tools have been apparent enough to have the Pirates excited for what’s to come. 

Polanco has added some strength to his projectable frame, and that, along with good bat speed and loose hands from the left side of the plate, have enabled him to hit the ball hard frequently. He still needs to work on his overall approach and is too aggressive, but he has some feel for the strike zone and the Pirates feel his underlying metrics all improved in 2022, even if it wasn’t reflected in his stat line. He’s been more of a line-drive hitter to date, but there’s power for him to tap into.

An above-average runner with a strong arm, Polanco has seen time at all three outfield positions, but he has the chance to stick in center with solid reads and routes. More reps should help Polanco refine his considerable tools and he’s a good candidate to be a breakout prospect in 2023.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

Polanco was one of the most highly-regarded international free agents when the 2020-21 signing period opened in January 2021, coming in at No. 11 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 when the period opened. The Pirates swooped in and signed the talented Dominican outfielder for $2.35 million, the second-highest international bonus the Pirates have ever handed out. He made his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League that summer and came stateside to play in the Florida Complex League in 2022.

Most of the excitement around Polanco is obviously about projection, as he’s just 18 years old. He is long and lanky with a very projectable build, and the Pirates have been encouraged by jumps he’s already made in terms of his physicality. He has good bat speed with loose hands from the left side of the plate, showing off a balanced swing with some snap. Like many young hitters, he can be overly aggressive, but he has a solid sense of the strike zone and impresses with relatively simple swing mechanics. He makes hard contact, with line drives to all fields, and there is power potential for him to grow into.

In the outfield, Polanco has a solid arm with good carry and is learning to be more accurate with his throws. His speed will play on the basepaths and in the outfield, and he has the chance to stick in center field with good reads and routes that will only improve with pro reps. 

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55

Lanky and lean, Polanco is a well-built teenage outfielder with a projectable body. He shows good bat speed with loose and free hands, and it results in a balanced swing with some snap. He has an aggressive approach, but he still remains calm in the batter’s box without any unnecessary movements. He consistently shows a good feel for the strike zone and makes hard contact when he swings. Polanco hits line drives to all fields with some power potential in the future, especially to his pull side.

On defense, the ball jumps out of Polanco’s hand with carry. He already shows average arm strength and it could be a plus tool in the future. Like most prospects his age, the teen’s accuracy is expected to improve once he signs with a club and receives daily instruction in a team’s academy. Add his ability to make the proper reads and take good routes and his entire defensive package has above-average potential at center field. He’s a solid-to-average runner now with plus potential and a chance to be a base stealer in the future.

Polanco trains with Sandis Nin, a member of MLB’s Trainer Partnership Program, in the Dominican Republic. The Pirates are the favorite to sign him.

Awards

FSL Player of the Week

Week	Team
06/18/2023

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/07/2024	Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects activated OF Shalin Polanco.
	02/29/2024	OF Shalin Polanco assigned to Pittsburgh Pirates.
	09/30/2023	Bradenton Marauders activated OF Shalin Polanco from the 7-day injured list.
	07/20/2023	Bradenton Marauders placed OF Shalin Polanco on the 7-day injured list.
	07/20/2023	Bradenton Marauders placed OF Shalin Polanco on the 7-day injured list.
	04/13/2023	Bradenton Marauders activated OF Shalin Polanco from the 7-day injured list.
	04/07/2023	Bradenton Marauders placed OF Shalin Polanco on the 7-day injured list.
	04/02/2023	OF Shalin Polanco assigned to Bradenton Marauders from FCL Pirates.
	03/02/2023	OF Shalin Polanco and assigned to Pittsburgh Pirates.
	03/02/2023	OF Shalin Polanco roster status changed by Pittsburgh Pirates.
	06/05/2022	OF Shalin Polanco assigned to FCL Pirates.
	03/30/2022	OF Shalin Polanco and assigned to Pittsburgh Pirates.
	01/15/2021	OF Shalin Polanco and assigned to DSL PIT Black.
	01/15/2021	Pittsburgh Pirates signed free agent OF Shalin Polanco to a minor league contract.