On Tuesday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Pirates officially announced that Gregory Polanco has been recalled from AAA and placed on the active roster. Last night, they placed Neil Walker on the 15-day disabled list after he had an appendectomy. Polanco was the first to break the news of his recall on Twitter last night, followed by the Pirates shortly thereafter announcing that they intended to call him up today. It’s now official, and as Polanco said, “The wait is over”. He will wear uniform #25.
As an interesting side note, tonight is the Pirates charity auction, meaning someone will actually buy Polanco’s jersey from his Major League debut, autographed.
You can view a highlight reel here of top ten plays from Polanco during this year in Indianapolis, showcasing all five tools.
Why isn’t anyone talking about us losing our best hitter this year? The pirates are weaker with this switch. I wouldn’t expect Polanco to come in and put up Walker numbers right away and we are losing defense in the IF with this change while gaining it in the OF
Because cutch isn’t hurt
Walker was the best Pirate hitter through April and May. Cutch will be through the rest of the season but he can’t hit if they won’t pitch to him. Walker has been huge and our team isn’t as strong without him Harrison and Polanco or no
Walker has also been better with RISP this year His average is better in late/close games as well. Walker had to pick up the slack of Cutch not being pitched to. He should be the # 4 hitter behind Cutch IMO. Especially now that Polanco is here. This would allow you to put Pedro 3rd and Ike 7th where he belongs. Down in the order. Get marte back to his 2012 numbers and you could have Marte Polanco Cutch Walker Alvarez Martin Davis Mercer
But what measure has Neil Walker been a better hitter than McCutchen? His lose hurts but you have to hope the Pirates have the depth to overcome it.
Now that’s gonna raise a lot of money . . .
That sucks there making him sell his debut jersey! Jerks! Haha
I do feel sort of bad for him for that, but I guess nothing can stop him from being the one that buys it…although Mark Melancon suggested on Twitter that he and Jared Hughes might be the ones that buy it and they have quite a bit more money than Polanco does
Yeah, that’d be nice! A great way to welcome him into the Pirates fam. If he would just sign that extension he’d have enough money to buy it himself! Lol
Is the auction before the game, during the game or after the game?
So excited for tonight’s game! As for the auction, I would hope they don’t make him give up his debut jersey for it. A few things that, if I were an MLB’er, I would want to keep would be: debut jersey, first hit (ball), first hit (bat), and debut hat, and so on. But if it does go up on the block, I will probably throw my hat in the ring to win it.
You better be RICH!!!!!!!!
Sounds like you may be bidding v Melancon and Hughes
I gave up once it hit $5k. No kids and disposable income, but no way I could throw down more than that on a jersey.
Lineup is out on mlb.com now – Polanco batting second, Jay Hay playing 3rd base and leading off, Barmes at 2nd base. Marte is batting 6th. Pedro getting the night off against leftie Travis Wood.
Here we go!!