Puckett's Pond
Fansided

Minnesota Twins: The case for each potential MLB All-Star Game starter

By Chris Schad

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - MAY 31: Jorge Polanco #11 of the Minnesota Twins is congratulated on scoring by Eddie Rosario #20 in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on May 31, 2019 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - MAY 31: Jorge Polanco #11 of the Minnesota Twins is congratulated on scoring by Eddie Rosario #20 in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on May 31, 2019 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MAY 20: Jorge Polanco #11 of the Minnesota Twins reacts to flying out during the fifth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheimat Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 20, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MAY 20: Jorge Polanco #11 of the Minnesota Twins reacts to flying out during the fifth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheimat Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 20, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Jorge Polanco – SS

If there is one Twin that should be voted in as an All-Star starter, it should be Jorge Polanco. Questions were raised when the Twins gave Polanco a five-year extension prior to spring training (along with another Twin that should be in this vote) coming off a season in which he picked up an 80-game PED suspension, but he has answered those questions with a breakout season.

Entering Tuesday, the shortstop ranked second in batting average (.326) behind New York’s D.J. LeMahieu (.331) and has also added 11 HR and 38 RBI. On top of that, Polanco has been an all-around factor for the Twins, ranking fifth in the American League and first among AL shortstops with 3.8 wins above replacement.

Polanco’s impact on the Twins can’t be understated as he’s become a catalyst for a team that ranks first in runs per game. While he doesn’t have the star power of his opponents (Carlos Correa of Houston and Gleyber Torres of New York), the 25-year old is on his way to becoming one of the top shortstops in all of baseball which in itself deserves a nod to start the All-Star game.

Home/Minnesota Twins News