Jorge Polanco has established himself as one of Major League Baseball’s most versatile and impactful infielders. Known for his switch-hitting ability, defensive flexibility, and offensive production, Polanco’s career arc has included standout seasons, injury setbacks, and now a new chapter with the New York Mets.
Position & Player Profile
Jorge Polanco primarily plays as an infielder, with experience at second base, shortstop, and third base throughout his career. He is a switch-hitter (bats both) and throws right-handed. Born in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic, Polanco made his MLB debut in 2014 with the Minnesota Twins before later joining the Seattle Mariners.
His defensive flexibility allows managers to deploy him across the infield, including occasional duty as a designated hitter, depending on lineup needs.
Career & Recent Performance Stats
Polanco’s offensive production has varied throughout his career, but he has shown the ability to hit for both power and average:
MLB Batting Highlights (Career & Recent Seasons):
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Career average: ~.263
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Total MLB home runs: 154+
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Total hits: Over 1,000
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RBI: 570+
(Career figures through 2025)
In 2025, Polanco rebounded strongly after a tough previous season, putting up:
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~.265 batting average
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26 home runs
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.821 OPS
These numbers helped re-establish his value as a middle-of-the-order bat.
While his defense has been inconsistent at times, his bat production and switch-hitting profile make him a valuable offensive contributor.
Baseball Savant Insights
Statcast data from Baseball Savant highlights Polanco’s hitting performance and batted-ball quality:
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Polanco’s barrel rates and hard-hit percentages have fluctuated throughout his career but showed notable improvement in 2025, indicating better contact quality and exit velocity.
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His expected batting metrics (like xBA and xSLG) in strong seasons show elite contact quality compared to league averages, often ranking him among better hitters by those analytical measures.
These advanced metrics help explain the underlying quality of Polanco’s offense beyond traditional stats, showing that his 2025 performance wasn’t just a surface-level rebound but backed by solid contact quality and Statcast indicators.
New York Mets Signing & Contract
In December 2025, the New York Mets officially signed Jorge Polanco to a two-year, $40 million contract. This move came as the Mets looked to replace power and lineup presence after the departure of Pete Alonso.
Key contract details:
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Duration: 2 years
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Total value: $40 million
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Primarily expected to play first base and designated hitter, while also contributing across the infield.
This contract marks a major payday for Polanco after proving his ability to rebound and contribute at a high level, especially following injuries and a down year earlier in his Mariners tenure.
Fangraphs Advanced Analysis
Fangraphs provides comprehensive analytics on Polanco, including advanced offensive and defensive metrics:
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Polanco’s wRC+ (weighted Runs Created Plus) has generally trended around or above league average in productive seasons, showing his value in run creation.
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His WAR (Wins Above Replacement) in 2025 and prior years reflects above-average offensive contributions at multiple positions.
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While defensive metrics like UZR and OAA can sometimes lag due to shifting position usage, Fangraphs still shows his positional versatility as a plus in overall roster value.
Fangraphs also tracks deeper sabermetric metrics like walk rates, strikeout rates, and batted-ball profiles, offering an analytical view that supports Polanco’s consistent offensive output when healthy and in rhythm.
Conclusion
Jorge Polanco’s MLB journey is defined by versatility, resilience, and professional growth. From his early days with the Twins to powerful seasons with the Mariners, and now a new opportunity with the New York Mets, Polanco continues to be a valuable offensive contributor capable of impacting the game in multiple ways. His 2025 resurgence, backed by Statcast and Fangraphs metrics, explains the Mets’ investment and highlights why he remains a key player to watch as the 2026 season approaches.
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