Jorge Polanco, the Dominican infielder known for his switch-hitting prowess and clutch performances, continues to make waves in MLB as a key player for the Seattle Mariners. With a career spanning over a decade, Polanco has evolved from a promising Twins prospect to a seasoned All-Star, overcoming injuries and trades to cement his legacy.
As of 2025, his journey reflects resilience, family values, and a $25.3 million net worth. Let’s explore his career highlights, personal life, and financial milestones in detail.
Jorge Polanco’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jorge Luis Pacheco Polanco |
| Date of Birth | July 5, 1993 |
| Age | 31 years old |
| Education | N/A |
| Nationality | Dominican |
| Height | 5’11” (180 cm) |
| Weight | 208 lbs (94 kg) |
| Turned Pro | 2009 |
| Net Worth | $25.3 million |
| Salary | $7.75 million |
| Wife | Lucero Polanco |
| Children | Three sons: Jorge Luis Jr. (8), Justin Luis (7), Joey Luis (4) |
| Instagram Profile | @jorge_polanco05 |
| Twitter Profile | @Jorge_Polanco1 |
Early Career
Jorge Polanco’s early career is a story of perseverance and dedication. Born on July 5, 1993, in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic, Polanco grew up in a region renowned for producing baseball talent. He was signed by the Minnesota Twins in 2009 as an international free agent at just 16 years old, receiving a $725,000 signing bonus. This marked the beginning of his professional journey in baseball.
Polanco made his debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2010, where he showcased his potential despite facing challenges adjusting to professional baseball. That year, he also played for the Gulf Coast League Twins, hitting .233/.303/.294.
By 2011, Polanco remained with the Gulf Coast League team and improved his performance slightly, batting .250/.319/.349 across 51 games. His early years were marked by cultural adjustments and efforts to refine his skills, including improving his diet and adapting to life in the United States.
In 2012, Polanco began to show significant promise while playing for the Elizabethton Twins in Rookie-level ball. He hit an impressive .318/.388/.514 with five home runs over 51 games. This performance earned him recognition as a rising prospect within the Twins organization. The following year, he continued to excel with the Cedar Rapids Kernels in Single-A ball, batting .308/.362/.452 with five home runs in 115 games. His consistency and ability to deliver at the plate earned him a spot as a mid-season All-Star.
After the 2013 season, Polanco gained further experience by playing for Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Winter League. This opportunity allowed him to hone his skills against more experienced players. His steady progress led to his inclusion on the Twins’ 40-man roster in November 2013.
Polanco started the 2014 season with the Fort Myers Miracle in Class-A Advanced ball. His hard work paid off when he was called up to the majors for the first time on June 26, 2014. In his MLB debut with the Minnesota Twins, he drew a walk as a pinch hitter and later went on to play four games that season, going 2-for-5 at the plate. Though brief, this stint marked a significant milestone in his career.
Over the next few years, Polanco split time between various minor league teams and occasional appearances with the Twins. He played for teams like the New Britain Rock Cats (Double-A) and Rochester Red Wings (Triple-A), steadily improving his game.
By 2015, he had become a Southern League All-Star while playing for the Chattanooga Lookouts (Double-A). His consistent performance earned him promotions within the Twins’ system and set the stage for his eventual role as a regular player in MLB.
Polanco’s early career reflects his determination to succeed despite challenges. From his humble beginnings in San Pedro de Macorís to making it to MLB, every step of his journey laid a solid foundation for his future success as a professional baseball player.
Professional Career
Jorge Polanco’s professional career in Major League Baseball (MLB) has been marked by resilience, adaptability, and flashes of brilliance. Signed as an international free agent by the Minnesota Twins in 2009, Polanco made his MLB debut on June 26, 2014, at the age of 20. Although his early appearances were limited, he gradually established himself as a reliable infielder with the Twins over the years.
Polanco’s first significant playing time came in 2016 when he appeared in 69 games for the Twins. Despite being briefly sent back to Triple-A Rochester that season, he showcased his potential by hitting .282 with four home runs and 27 RBIs. By 2017, Polanco had become the Twins’ primary shortstop, playing in 133 games and recording a .256 batting average with 13 home runs, 74 RBIs, and a career-high 13 stolen bases.
That year also saw him hit home runs as both a right-handed and left-handed batter in the same game, demonstrating his versatility as a switch hitter. He made his postseason debut in the American League Wild Card Game but went 1-for-4 as the Twins lost to the Yankees.
In March 2018, Polanco faced a setback when he was suspended for 80 games after testing positive for stanozolol, a performance-enhancing drug. Despite this challenge, he returned later that season and performed well, hitting .288 with six home runs and 42 RBIs in just 77 games. Polanco’s ability to bounce back from adversity became a hallmark of his career.
The year 2019 was a turning point for Polanco. During spring training, he signed a five-year contract extension worth $25.75 million with club options for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. That season, he became an All-Star for the first time and was voted as the American League’s starting shortstop.
Polanco hit for the cycle on April 5 against the Philadelphia Phillies and finished the season with impressive numbers: a .295 batting average, 22 home runs, 79 RBIs, and a league-leading 40 doubles in 153 games. His performance helped lead the Twins to an AL Central title, though they were swept by the Yankees in the ALDS.
In subsequent years, Polanco faced challenges with injuries and position changes. He underwent ankle surgeries after both the 2019 and 2020 seasons. In 2021, following the addition of Andrelton Simmons at shortstop, Polanco transitioned to second base—a move that revitalized his career. That year, he hit .269 with career highs in home runs (33) and RBIs (98), earning recognition as the Twins’ MVP and most improved player.
However, Polanco’s production dipped in 2022 as injuries continued to affect his performance. He played in only 104 games that season but maintained solid plate discipline with a career-best walk rate of 14.4%. In April 2023, Polanco hit his milestone 100th career home run but struggled with hamstring injuries throughout the year. He was limited to just 80 games and saw reduced playing time due to younger players like Edouard Julien emerging in the lineup.
After spending over a decade with Minnesota, Polanco was traded to the Seattle Mariners on January 29, 2024. The trade marked a new chapter in his career but also brought challenges. In his first season with Seattle, Polanco posted career lows in batting average (.213) and on-base percentage (.296) across 118 games.
Despite these struggles at the plate and being ranked as one of baseball’s weaker defenders by Statcast metrics, he contributed memorable moments such as winning MLB’s “Play of the Week” award for an exceptional double play against the New York Mets.
Following knee surgery at the end of the 2024 season, Seattle declined Polanco’s $12 million option for 2025 but re-signed him to a one-year deal worth $7 million in February 2025. Now entering his second season with Seattle at age 31, Polanco remains determined to prove himself as a valuable contributor both offensively and defensively.
Throughout his professional career, Jorge Polanco has demonstrated resilience through injuries, suspensions, and positional adjustments while maintaining his reputation as a skilled switch hitter and reliable team player. From his All-Star peak to overcoming obstacles later in his career, Polanco’s journey reflects determination and adaptability on baseball’s biggest stage.
Wife
Jorge Polanco is married to Lucero Ramirez, a woman he has been with for many years. The couple keeps their personal life private, but it is known that they have been together since at least 2014. Lucero, often referred to as Lucero Polanco, is a homemaker who occasionally shares glimpses of their family life on social media, though she maintains a private profile.
Together, Jorge and Lucero have three sons: Jorge Luis Jr., Justin Luis, and Joey Luis. Polanco frequently expresses his gratitude for his family’s support and often shares photos of his children on his social media platforms, highlighting his role as a devoted father. Despite his MLB fame, Polanco credits his family for keeping him grounded and focused on what truly matters in life.
Jorge Polanco’s Net Worth Details
Jorge Polanco’s net worth is estimated to be $25,358,090 as of 2025.
Contract
Jorge Polanco’s current contract with the Seattle Mariners for the 2025 season is a one-year deal worth $7.75 million. This includes a base salary of $7 million and a guaranteed $750,000 buyout on a mutual option for 2026. The mutual option can convert into a player option if certain performance benchmarks are met:
- 450 plate appearances: The option becomes a $6 million player option.
- 550 plate appearances: The option increases to $8 million.
Additionally, Polanco can earn up to $3.5 million in performance bonuses based on plate appearances, structured as follows:
- $250,000 for reaching 250 and 300 plate appearances each.
- $500,000 for hitting 350 and 400 plate appearances each.
Salary
- Base Salary: $7,000,000
- Guaranteed Total Salary: $7,750,000 (including a $750,000 buyout on a mutual option for 2026)
Additionally, Polanco has the opportunity to earn up to $3.5 million in performance-based incentives tied to plate appearances. If he achieves 450 plate appearances in 2025, the mutual option for 2026 converts into a $6 million player option. This option increases to $8 million if he reaches 550 plate appearances.
Career Earnings
| Year | Age | Earnings ($) | Cumulative Earnings ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 15 | 575,000 (Signing Bonus) | 575,000 |
| 2014 | 20 | 16,393 | 591,393 |
| 2015 | 21 | 11,092 | 602,485 |
| 2016 | 22 | 257,889 | 860,374 |
| 2017 | 23 | 540,000 | 1,400,374 |
| 2018 | 24 | 575,000 | 1,975,374 |
| 2019 | 25 | 3,583,333 | 5,558,707 |
| 2020 | 26 | 1,466,049 | 7,024,756 |
| 2021 | 27 | 4,333,334 | 11,358,090 |
| 2022 | 28 | 5,500,000 | 16,858,090 |
| 2023 | 29 | 7,500,000 | 24,358,090 |
| 2024 | 30 | 10,500,000 + $750K (Buyout) | 35,608,090 |
| 2025 | 31 | 7,000,000 | 42,608,090 |
Career Stats
| Category | Career Regular Season Stats | Career Postseason Stats |
|---|---|---|
| At-Bats (AB) | 3,156 | 43 |
| Runs (R) | 443 | 5 |
| Hits (H) | 849 | 9 |
| Home Runs (HR) | 112 | 2 |
| RBIs | 447 | 5 |
| Stolen Bases (SB) | 51 | 2 |
| Batting Average | .269 | .209 |
| On-Base Percentage (OBP) | .334 | .346 |
| On-Base Plus Slugging (OPS) | .780 | .695 |
FAQs
1. When did Jorge Polanco make his MLB debut?
Jorge Polanco debuted with the Minnesota Twins on June 26, 2014. He rose through their minor-league system after signing as an international free agent in 2009.
2. What are Jorge Polanco’s notable career achievements?
He was a 2019 All-Star, hit for the cycle that same year, and recorded two 20+ home run seasons (2019, 2021). He also contributed to the Twins’ 307-homer record in 2019.
3. Which teams has Jorge Polanco played for?
Polanco spent his first 10 seasons with the Minnesota Twins (2014–2023) before joining the Seattle Mariners in 2024.
4. What is Jorge Polanco’s current contract status?
He signed a 1-year, $7.75 million deal with the Mariners, including a conditional $6 million player option for 2026. Performance bonuses could add up to $3.5 million.
5. How did injuries impact Polanco’s 2024 season?
He underwent knee surgery in October 2024 to repair a patellar tendon injury, which affected his hitting (.213/.296/.355). He also missed time with a hamstring strain earlier in the season.
6. What are Polanco’s career batting statistics?
Over 11 MLB seasons, he holds a .263 average, 128 home runs, 492 RBI, and a .765 OPS. His best year was 2019: .295 BA, 22 HR, 107 runs, and 40 doubles.
7. Where was Jorge Polanco born?
He was born on July 5, 1993, in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, a region known for producing MLB talent.
8. What positions does Jorge Polanco play?
Primarily a second baseman, he has also played shortstop and third base. Defensively, he has logged over 7,000 innings at second base in his career.
9. What is Jorge Polanco’s nickname?
He is nicknamed “Chulo,” a common term of endearment in the Dominican Republic.
10. How did Polanco perform in the 2025 preseason?
In 2025 spring training, he hit .281 with a .394 OPS over 33 at-bats, showing improved form ahead of the regular season.
