Polanco is the worst base runner in Pirate history. *****
- Thread starter fairgambit
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As a team, their base running is maddening. But yes, Polanco takes it to a completely different level, particularly when you throw in the fact that he can't even slide into a base properly.
This stuff, along with leaving men on base, is magnified when playing a fundamentally sound team like the Cards.
That may be it, or just lack of concentration. He's going to kill us at a critical time if they don't do something, but I'm not sure how you solve the problem.
I just don't know the answer. His mistakes reflect a lack of fundamentals that he should have learned long ago.
Assuming that the regular steps of working w/ a young guy have already been taken, the only thing left is to sit him to drive the point home. W/ injuries now, it's a horrible time for it. Unfortunately, I think getting his head on straight - now & in the future - takes precedence & it needs to be done
I agree. Better now than in the playoffs, or even in some critical game in September. I seriously cannot remember a Pirate who committed more baserunning gaffes in a half season.
Maybe I think back to the Golden Age of baseball too much, but you just didn't see this stuff from Major League players back then. If a major league player still needs "development" in simple fundamentals at his point in his career, well.....you know.
Absolutely agree. Bunting is another lost art. In those days you learned the fundamentals or you didn't play in the majors.
I'll give him a very slight benefit of the doubt since he was originally a pitcher so he may be a little behind in some other areas. I was in the 'send him down' camp a month ago but I just don't think you can do that now with the other injuries. We'll just have to hope for more game winning RBIs like the last two nights and just shake our heads at the other things he does.
Agreed. Obviously he succeeded up to this point on pure athletic ability. How much does his poor English account for this? He couldn't have learned much in the minors either.
That's not going to happen because he is starting to hit for the first time all year. They won't sit him.
Huntington was right: he was not ready for promotion last year, but the media and fans demanded it.
Not only was he a pitcher but he started last year in AA ball. Spent less than two months in AAA before being moved up. Obviously he shoulda spent more time in AAA but the Pirates were desperate for a right fielder since they had none last year...or a first baseman for that matter. He is learning a new position, a new language, jumped two levels, and a new country. Give him some time, he will be fine.
I agree he has had some obstacles, and certainly he will be given time, if for no other reason than the Pirates have limited options, but baserunning at the major league level should be instinctive and learned years before, regardless of what position you played, what levels, and what language you speak or country you are from.
I kept wondering last night -- what is the third base coach doing? He should be standing a foot away from Polanco screaming into his ear. It seems the Pirates' base coaches are there to be cheerleaders and to smile at the fans.
I agree. I thought the same thing. There is where a language issue may come into play but if that's the problem, they better find a way to solve it.
That
That is a situational play. He could yell all he wants but first and third with less than two out you run on any ground ball.
