John Polonius promoted to AAA

After Eugene Helder was promoted from the DSL Mariners to AAA Tacoma the other day, the same somewhat mind-boggling move was made by the San Francisco Giants organization as they promoted John Polonius to AAA Sacramento RiverCats from extended spring training.

At the start of the 2017 season, John was placed on the roster of the Richmond Flying Squirrels (AA, Eastern League). But after four days and no games played he was sent to extended spring training. The current move was made to fill a void in the roster of the RiverCats as the Giants had placed a player on waivers, and that player was picked up by another team.

The 26-year old Curaçaoan has been plagued by injuries throughout his career. Almost the entire 2015 season was lost as he spent most of the time on the DL.

So far in his career, he has been struggling at the plate at any level higher than A short season. One exception is the short stint with the Flying Squirrels in 2016. In three games he hit .333.

Anyhow, John debuted with the RiverCats last night in a game in Albuquerque vs the Isotopes. In three at-bats, John did not collect a hit, but he drove in a run on a 5-3 ground out and scored a run himself. That run came after he laid down a sac bunt. John got on base on a fielders choice. But even though John did not collect a hit, he did not strike out either.

John played the complete game at shortstop and recorded three outs and was part of a 1-6-3 double play.

Eugene Helder also started at shortstop yesterday and played nine innings. He did not collect a hit but did not strike out either. Helder also recorded three outs and was part of a 6-3 double play.

Don’t be surprised if Polonius and Helder will be sent down anytime soon unless they start to hit very well.