#MLBRank lists D-backs CF A.J. Pollock the 52nd-best player
Jun 28, 2017, 4:27 PM
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
A.J. Pollock’s injury bug hasn’t lessened the respect those in baseball have for the Diamondbacks center fielder.
Despite playing in 12 games in 2016 because of two separate injuries and then finding himself on the disabled list for 41 of the 78 games Arizona has played so far this season, the ESPN panel for #MLBRank only thinks more of him. Pollock ranked 57th in the survey of baseball experts last year and jumped up to 52nd in the 2017 version of the list.
ESPN Stats & Info’s Paul Casella goes back to Pollock single All-Star season in 2015 to explain the outfielder’s impact on the D-backs.
Unfortunately, injuries have plagued A.J. Pollock’s career, but he flashed his potential as an all-around talent when healthy in 2015. He hit 20 homers, swiped 39 bases and hit .315 over 157 games — and, oh by the way, also won a Gold Glove. To show you just how impressive that is, the only other player to put up those numbers in a season since 2012 is Mike Trout.
Through 37 games this season, Pollock performed well before suffering a groin injury. He’s slashing .299/.346/.455 with two home runs, 11 RBI and 12 doubles.
Pollock suffered a slight setback in his second rehab game with Triple-A Reno but appears closer to an MLB return after a seven-inning appearance with the Aces on Tuesday night that included a 1-for-4 night at the plate.
Pollock is the second Diamondback to appear on the list of 100 players on #MLBRank. Third baseman Jake Lamb was 88th on the list after not making the cut a season ago.
