Pirates Top 30 Prospects No. 23: Speedy Shalin Polanco

This is one in a series of stories breaking down PBN’s Top 30 Pittsburgh Pirates prospects.

A speedy outfielder with the potential for some sneaky pop, 19-year-old outfielder Shalin Polanco has seen his offensive numbers improve in each season he’s played in the Pirates’ system in spite of successive promotions.

Polanco posted a .622 OPS in the Dominican Summer League as a 17-year-old in 2021. Playing in rookie ball in 2022, that number climbed to .695, before he boosted it to .762 this past season. Polanco tallied 12 home runs in 70 games in 2023, missing the final two months with an injury.

Considered the No. 10 prospect in the 2021 international signing period, the Pirates might’ve rated him even higher than that, as they gave him a $2.35 million signing bonus, more than one-third of their total allotment.

A lefty bat, Polanco strikes out a hair under 30 percent of the time: with that said, he’s starting to tone down an aggressive approach at the plate. In his first two seasons, Polanco saw an average of less than two pitches per at bat, taking hacks with gusto. That margin nearly doubled in 2023, and his offensive numbers benefitted alongside the patient approach.

Speedy Defender

Polanco’s defense is the trait that really makes him shine. His speed gives him a 55-grade as a runner, burst that helps him as he patrols the outfield—or wreaks havoc on the base paths, as he notched 17 steals last season. He’s far from a one trick pony, too, sporting a powerful arm that allows him to play all three outfield positions.

Throughout his career, Polanco has spent the most time in center field, followed by right, a versatile toolbox that could help him stick around should he make it to Pittsburgh someday. Polanco has a long way to go before becoming an everyday starter in the big leagues, but his continued improvement and projectable traits make him a tantalizing addition to this list.