Polanco steamrolling through International League

PITTSBURGH -- The Polanco Press -- top prospect Gregory Polanco's relentless campaign to elicit that callup to the Pirates -- did not lose any steam last week.

The 22-year-old outfielder was named International League Batter of the Week after hitting .591 and slugging 1.000 in six games with Indianapolis.

Polanco continues to virtually flaunt the Bucs' agenda for him to accrue Triple-A experience prior to a promotion. He has been the IL Batter of the Week twice in five weeks with the Indians, also getting the award for April 7-13.

This latest explosion grew Polanco's season numbers to a .389 average and 1.076 OPS, with 38 RBIs in 41 games.

Word of Polanco's latest honor comes the day after the Pirates lost two outfielders to hamstring injuries. Jose Tabata departed the nightcap of Sunday's doubleheader in New York with tightness in the right hamstring a few innings before Starling Marte was pulled with tightness in the left hamstring.

Both players felt they would be fit to return following Monday's off-day, when the Bucs open a six-game homestand with Tuesday night's Interleague game against Baltimore.

However, their uncertain status certainly adds intrigue to when the club might be ready to page Polanco. When outfield help was needed a week ago, the Pirates called up Jaff Decker, who returned to Indianapolis after going hitless in three pinch-hitting appearances. There is yet another left-handed hitter in the Indians' outfield -- Chris Dickerson, a Major League vet carrying a .342 average.