Jorge Polanco (2B/SS, MIN) - Week 7 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues

ROSTERED IN: 39% of leagues

ANALYSIS: After a quiet first month of the year, Minnesota Twins second baseman/shortstop Jorge Polanco is off to a strong start to the month of May. Over his first seven games this month, Polanco is slashing .348/.444/.696 with three doubles, a triple and a home run. He had just four doubles and one home run over 23 games in April.

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Polanco disappointed fantasy managers in 2020 when he slashed .258/.304/.354 with just four home runs and 19 RBI over 55 games. He's seen his groundball rate trending in a scary upward direction the past few years. He had just a 29.2% groundball rate in 2019, his best statistical season (.295 BA, 22 HR, 79 RBI). Last year, his groundball rate inched up to 36% and this year so far, it's up even more to 45.5%.

However, he's made great strides from a hard contact perspective this year. His 2021 hard-hit rate (36.4%) and barrel rate (8%) are career-best marks, both solid increases from 2019 (33.1% hard-hit rate, 6.7% barrel-rate). If he can keep those hard contact numbers up while finding a way to elevate the ball more, we could see production reminiscent of 2019 Polanco.

Polanco might run hot and cold throughout the year, but his second base eligibility and his consistent playing time amidst a strong Twins lineup make him worth rostering in all leagues. Add him now and start him as long as he remains hot.

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