Pirates sign outfielder Shalin Polanco as non-drafted free agent

January 15th, 2021

 The Pittsburgh Pirates today signed outfielder Shalin Polanco as a non-drafted free agent. The 16-year-old Polanco, who is from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, is currently rated as the eighth-best international draft prospect according to Baseball America (#11 by MLBPipeline).  

 The 5’11’’, 168-pound Polanco was also rated by MLBPipeline as the third-best outfielder in the 2020-21 international draft class.  

 “We are excited to add Shalin to the Pirates organization,” said Pirates General Manager Ben Cherington. “He’s an athletic outfielder and promising left-handed hitter with power potential. Junior Vizcaino and our international scouting group did a terrific job getting to know Shalin and his family, and we look forward to seeing him in a Pirates uniform. We are equally as excited about our entire international signing class and look forward to the time we can be on the field with them.”   The Pirates signed a total of 15 players today during the first day of the 2020-21 international signing period. A complete list is attached.