Minnesota Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco has become the first player to hit for the cycle in 2019 and the 325th in the history of Major League Baseball. Polanco finished the night 5 for 5 with one run scored and one RBI. He sealed the deal with a double down the left field line to lead off the seventh inning of a road game against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Polanco becomes the 15th player in Twins’ franchise history to hit for the cycle. He is the first Twin to hit the cycle since 2009 when Jason Kubel and Michael Cuddyer both accomplished the feat 35 days apart.
Cycle History
The cycle has been a popular feat over the previous couple of seasons. Polanco’s night brings the total number of cycles since April 2017 to 13. That number includes Brock Holt’s postseason cycle against the New York Yankees in Game Three of the ALDS last season.
Having accomplished this feat in the sixth game of the season, Polanco sets himself up nicely to make more history before the end of the year. Of all the men to have hit for the cycle, only 26 have done it more than once. Of those 26, only Aaron Hill in 2012 and Christian Yelich in 2018 have done it twice in the same season. Polanco now has 156 chances to join Hill and Yelich on that selective list.
Paying Dividends
Prior to the season, the Twins gave Polanco a five-year extension worth $25.75 million. While it is still early in the season, he looks to be justifying that extension with his on-field play. His career night brings his season batting average to .423. Entering the night, Polanco’s career slash line sat at .272/.330/.421 in 293 games played.
Unfortunately, this performance was not enough to lift the Twins over the Phillies, losing the game 7-4. The Twins fall to 4-2 on the season while the Phillies improve to 6-1.
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
