Pirates outfield breakdown: Last chances for Gregory Polanco, Anthony Alford

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Pirates outfield breakdown: Last chances for Gregory Polanco, Anthony Alford

Chris Adamski | Monday, March 29, 2021 5:13 p.m.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco celebrates after driving in two runs during a Grapefruit League game earlier this month. After hitting .153 in 157 at bats last season, Polanco is entering the final guaranteed season on his contract.

Breakout candidate

Anthony Alford

A former SEC football player and once a top prospect of the Blue Jays, Alford is still only 26 and for the first time figures to get an extensive look as an everyday player. The talent and many of the tools are there for Alford to succeed in the majors, but can he put it all together?

Pressure’s on

Gregory Polanco

For the first time since 2015, Polanco goes into a season without a guaranteed contract or salary for the following year. It would take a monster campaign for the Pirates to consider picking up the $12.5 million option for 2022. Either way, after a mostly dreadful 2020, Polanco needs to impress if any team is going to pay him big money going forward.

By the numbers

.180 — Batting average for Pirates outfielders last season, the worst of any MLB team’s group at the position

13:65 — Gregory Polanco’s walk-to-strikeout ratio in 2020

146 — Points Bryan Reynolds’ slugging percentage dropped from his rookie 2019 season to last year (.503 to .357)

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