There is no question that Gregory Polanco is the Pirates answer in right field. The 22-year-old was signed as an international free agent in 2009 and placed in the organization's Dominican academy with hopes of making it to the big leagues. What came next surpassed any expectations that most had about Polanco's abilities. He quickly began a climb through the minor league system which culminated with a jump in 2013 from High-A Bradenton to AAA Indianapolis in one season turning heads in the ... Read More
Jose Tabata sacrifice fly proves winner in Pirates scrimmage
The Pittsburgh Pirates played its annual Black-Gold scrimmage with Team Black defeating Team Gold 2-1 Monday at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, FL. This game was the first time fans got the opportunity to see Jung-ho Kang. Kang played in three innings registering a first inning ground out to short in his lone at-bat. "That's when I realized, 'Game on.' It helped a lot to get to play [before facing other teams], to get a feel for it," Kang said to the assembled media. Fans cheered loudest ... Read More
Snider trade opens Pirates outfield logjam
The Pittsburgh Pirates traded OF Travis Snider to the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday in exchange for a minor league prospect and a PTBNL. Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington told Rob Biertempfel of the Trib that the trade opens up some "payroll flexibility". #Pirates GM: "We have depth to sustain the loss. We've gained two quality players, created roster flexibility and some payroll flexibity." — Rob Biertempfel (@BiertempfelTrib) January 28, 2015 Biertempfel also reports HERE that it ... Read More
Pirates fully confident in Polanco after Snider deal
As sprint training neared, it looked as if the Pirates had their 13 position players cemented in stone. Starling Marte Andrew McCutchen Gregory Polanco Travis Snider Neil Walker Pedro Alvarez Josh Harrison Francisco Cervelli Jordy Mercer Jung-Ho Kang Corey Hart Chris Stewart Sean Rodriguez It was as simple as that. A spring training with very little questions. But, that changed on Tuesday night, as the Pirates traded Snider to the Orioles for 21-year-old ... Read More
Pirates make more call-ups
The Pirates made more September call-ups with the end of the AAA season coming last night. The next group includes pitchers Jeff Locke, Casey Sadler, John Holdzkom and Bobby LaFromboise along with outfielder Gregory Polanco. The team has also selected the contract of Chase d'Arnaud from Indianapolis. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, the Pirates DFA'd IF Michael Martinez. Locke will make his scheduled start tonight in St. Louis after being sent down during the Cincinnati series ... Read More
Pirates Gameday 8/25: Hurdle discusses Polanco demotion, Barmes activated from DL
Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (67-63) look to build off of their series victory in Milwaukee as they begin a three-game set against the NL Wild Card-leading Cardinals (70-59). Francisco Liriano (3-10, 4.18 ERA) will take the hill and oppose newly acquired John Lackey (1-1, 5.40 ERA). Roster Moves -- The Pirates made a roster move this afternoon sending OF Gregory Polanco to AAA Indianapolis and recalling OF Jose Tabata. Polanco will be back with the team after the rosters ... Read More
Polanco to be optioned to AAA, Tabata to be recalled
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has reported that the Pirates will option Gregory Polanco to AAA for a short time until the rosters expand to 40 men on Monday. Source: #Pirates send Polanco to AAA. No word yet on corresponding move. Figures to be short-term demotion; rosters expand Monday. — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 25, 2014 The rookie played in 64 games with the Pirates, Polanco posted a slash line of .241/.349/.657 with nine doubles, six home runs and 30 RBI while striking out 50 ... Read More
Big inning sinks Pirates
Charlie Morton gave up another big inning as the Padres defeated the Pirates 8-2 to take another series at PNC Park on Sunday afternoon. The big inning came in the fifth with the Pirates leading 2-1 after a Gregory Polanco 2-run home run in the first. With runners on first and second with two out, Morton hit Yangervis Solarte to load the bases. Seth Smith then came up and cleared the bases with a triple off the left field wall to make it 4-2 Padres. He then scored on a wild pitch. "It was ... Read More
Harrison/Polanco lead Pirates to 2-1 victory
Josh Harrison and Gregory Polanco provided the offense and Vance Worley went through the sixth inning for the eighth time in nine starts as the Pirates held off the Padres 2-1 on Friday night in front of a sell out crowd at PNC Park. Harrison and Polanco provided the only offense the Pirates (62-53) needed on the night in the first inning when Harrison tripled to lead off the inning. Polanco quickly followed with a RBI single, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Padres ... Read More
Polanco does it all in Pirates 7-2 win
Gregory Polanco drove in four runs and had an outfield assist in the Pirates series-clinching 7-2 victory over the Marlins on Thursday night. The rookie right fielder helped the Pirates (61-53) establish a comfortable 3-0 lead in the fourth when he drove in his first two runs of the night. With runners on second and third and one out, the Marlins pitched around Jayson Nix to set up a lefty on lefty matchup between Marlins starter Brian Flynn and Polanco. Polanco worked a 2-0 count before ... Read More