Kaden Polcovich

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #25 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Polcovich comes from an athletic family. His dad, Kevin, played shortstop for the Pirates for two seasons and his mom, Lisa, played volleyball at Florida. Polcovich spent two seasons at Northwest Oklahoma JC before transferring to Oklahoma State for the 2020 season, but he played only 18 games for the Cowboys before the coronavirus pandemic ended the year. The Mariners saw enough to draft him in the third round and sign him for $575,000. Polcovich raced to Double-A Arkansas in his first full season and remained at the level in 2022. He finished among the team leaders in doubles (21), home runs (12) and stolen bases (18).
  
  Scouting Report: Polcovich fits the stereotypical 'gamer' profile as an undersized utilityman who does a little bit of everything. A switch-hitter, he is much better from the left side (.263 AVG, .795 OPS) than the right (.196, .588) He's an aggressive hitter who is prone to overswinging, but he knows the strike zone and has sneaky, average raw power from the left side. Polcovich is a plus runner and efficient basestealer with his advanced instincts. His fringy arm limits him to second base, but he can stand at third base and has shown a feel for tracking balls in center field.
  
  The Future: Polcovich has a chance to surface in the majors as an up-down utilityman. He'll head to Triple-A in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 30. Power: 40. Speed: 60. Fielding: 45. Arm: 45.
• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #29 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Polcovich, the son of former Pirates infielder Kevin Polcovich, put together a strong summer in the Cape Cod League before his junior year and was off to a hot start for Oklahoma State before the coronavirus pandemic canceled the 2020 college season. The Mariners drafted him in the third round and signed him for $575,000. Polcovich made his pro debut at High-A Everett in 2021 and earned a midseason promotion, but he hit just .133 in 36 games at Double-A.
  
  Scouting Report: Polcovich’s best attribute is his defensive versatility. He is a good athlete and above-average runner who can play second base, third base and all three outfield positions at an average or better level. He has advanced defensive instincts and average arm strength that plays anywhere. Polcovich is a below-average hitter who takes swings that are too big for his 5-foot-10, 185-pound frame and his power is also below-average. A switch-hitter, he has more thump in his bat from the left side.
  
  The Future: Polcovich’s defensive versatility gives him a chance to reach the majors as an up-and-down utility player. He’ll see Triple-A in 2022.
  
• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #27 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: The son of former Pirates infielder Kevin Polcovich, Kaden played two years at Northwest Florida State JC before heading to Oklahoma State for his junior year. He hit .344 in 18 games for the Cowboys before the season shut down and was drafted by the Mariners in the third round. Polcovich signed for $575,000 and spent the summer at the Mariners' alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Like fellow OSU alum Donovan Walton, drafted four years earlier by the Mariners, Polcovich stands out for his versatility and grinder mentality. He split time at second and third base in college and saw significant time in the outfield in the Cape Cod League. A switch-hitter with a solid swing and excellent barrel control from both sides of the plate, Polcovich has a knack for getting on base and sneaky fringe-average power. He's not likely to be more than a fringe-average defender with an average arm because he struggles with his footwork on ground balls,
  
  THE FUTURE: Polcovich should be adequate in a utility role provided his bat develops. He should be ready for a full-season assignment in 2021.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #236 prospect in 2020 draft
  The son of MLB utility infielder Kevin Polcovich, the younger Polcovich hit .305/.426/.473 with Orleans in the Cape Cod League last summer, and was just as impressive this spring in his first season with Oklahoma State. He was hitting .344/.494/.578 when the season ended. A switch-hitter with a solid swing from both sides of the plate, he shows average raw power in batting practice, although he’s more of a line-drive hitter in games. He’s an aggressive hitter with a short stroke and excellent barrel control and projects as a plus hitter with solid on-base skills. The flashes of pop give hopes that he can be a 10-12 home run hitter. A 5-foot-8, 160-pounder, Polcovich has no clear defensive home—he’s played second and third at Oklahoma State and played center field and left field additionally in the Cape. His fringe-average arm limits him in the infield, and while he’s a 55 runner now, there are concerns he’ll slow down as he matures. He shows some feel for tracking balls in center and is just as aggressive out there as he is at the plate. Polcovich may end up being fringe-average defensively at two infield spots and multiple outfield spots, but his hitting might make up for any defensive shortcomings. He’s likely to outlast some toolsier players in pro ball because of his feel and that switch-hitting ability.
• Ranked #445 prospect in 2017 draft
  Even in a state that features Ryan Vilade and Conner Uselton, there are some evaluators who say they believe that Polcovich is the best pure hitter among the Oklahoma high school class. But Polcovich, the son of former Pirates shortstop Kevin Polcovich, is unlikely to be picked nearly as early in the draft as the other two Sooner State sluggers because he's a 5-foot-9 infielder who lacks Vilade and Uselton's physicality. Polcovich is short but strong and muscular, leading some scouts to believe there's some future power in his bat. The switch-hitting Polcovich has an above-average arm that works at second or third, but he lacks the range to be a pro shortstop. Polcovich is signed with Kentucky, where he could be a ready replacement for draft prospect Riley Mahan.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Polcovich comes from an athletic family. His dad, Kevin, played shortstop for the Pirates for two seasons and his mom, Lisa, played volleyball at Florida. Polcovich spent two seasons at Northwest Oklahoma JC before transferring to Oklahoma State for the 2020 season, but he played only 18 games for the Cowboys before the coronavirus pandemic ended the year. The Mariners saw enough to draft him in the third round and sign him for $575,000. Polcovich raced to Double-A Arkansas in his first full season and remained at the level in 2022. He finished among the team leaders in doubles (21), home runs (12) and stolen bases (18).
  
  Scouting Report: Polcovich fits the stereotypical 'gamer' profile as an undersized utilityman who does a little bit of everything. A switch-hitter, he is much better from the left side (.263 AVG, .795 OPS) than the right (.196, .588) He's an aggressive hitter who is prone to overswinging, but he knows the strike zone and has sneaky, average raw power from the left side. Polcovich is a plus runner and efficient basestealer with his advanced instincts. His fringy arm limits him to second base, but he can stand at third base and has shown a feel for tracking balls in center field.
  
  The Future: Polcovich has a chance to surface in the majors as an up-down utilityman. He'll head to Triple-A in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 30. Power: 40. Speed: 60. Fielding: 45. Arm: 45.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Polcovich comes from an athletic family. His dad, Kevin, played shortstop for the Pirates for two seasons and his mom, Lisa, played volleyball at Florida. Polcovich spent two seasons at Northwest Oklahoma JC before transferring to Oklahoma State for the 2020 season, but he played only 18 games for the Cowboys before the coronavirus pandemic ended the year. The Mariners saw enough to draft him in the third round and sign him for $575,000. Polcovich raced to Double-A Arkansas in his first full season and remained at the level in 2022. He finished among the team leaders in doubles (21), home runs (12) and stolen bases (18).
  
  Scouting Report: Polcovich fits the stereotypical 'gamer' profile as an undersized utilityman who does a little bit of everything. A switch-hitter, he is much better from the left side (.263 AVG, .795 OPS) than the right (.196, .588) He's an aggressive hitter who is prone to overswinging, but he knows the strike zone and has sneaky, average raw power from the left side. Polcovich is a plus runner and efficient basestealer with his advanced instincts. His fringy arm limits him to second base, but he can stand at third base and has shown a feel for tracking balls in center field.
  
  The Future: Polcovich has a chance to surface in the majors as an up-down utilityman. He'll head to Triple-A in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 30. Power: 40. Speed: 60. Fielding: 45. Arm: 45.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Polcovich, the son of former Pirates infielder Kevin Polcovich, put together a strong summer in the Cape Cod League before his junior year and was off to a hot start for Oklahoma State before the coronavirus pandemic canceled the 2020 college season. The Mariners drafted him in the third round and signed him for $575,000. Polcovich made his pro debut at High-A Everett in 2021 and earned a midseason promotion, but he hit just .133 in 36 games at Double-A.
  
  Scouting Report: Polcovich&#39s best attribute is his defensive versatility. He is a good athlete and above-average runner who can play second base, third base and all three outfield positions at an average or better level. He has advanced defensive instincts and average arm strength that plays anywhere. Polcovich is a below-average hitter who takes swings that are too big for his 5-foot-10, 185-pound frame and his power is also below-average. A switch-hitter, he has more thump in his bat from the left side.
  
  The Future: Polcovich&#39s defensive versatility gives him a chance to reach the majors as an up-and-down utility player. He&#39ll see Triple-A in 2022.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Polcovich, the son of former Pirates infielder Kevin Polcovich, put together a strong summer in the Cape Cod League before his junior year and was off to a hot start for Oklahoma State before the coronavirus pandemic canceled the 2020 college season. The Mariners drafted him in the third round and signed him for $575,000. Polcovich made his pro debut at High-A Everett in 2021 and earned a midseason promotion, but he hit just .133 in 36 games at Double-A.
  
  Scouting Report: Polcovich’s best attribute is his defensive versatility. He is a good athlete and above-average runner who can play second base, third base and all three outfield positions at an average or better level. He has advanced defensive instincts and average arm strength that plays anywhere. Polcovich is a below-average hitter who takes swings that are too big for his 5-foot-10, 185-pound frame and his power is also below-average. A switch-hitter, he has more thump in his bat from the left side.
  
  The Future: Polcovich’s defensive versatility gives him a chance to reach the majors as an up-and-down utility player. He’ll see Triple-A in 2022.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The son of former Pirates infielder Kevin Polcovich, Kaden played two years at Northwest Florida State JC before heading to Oklahoma State for his junior year. He hit .344 in 18 games for the Cowboys before the season shut down and was drafted by the Mariners in the third round. Polcovich signed for $575,000 and spent the summer at the Mariners' alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Like fellow OSU alum Donovan Walton, drafted four years earlier by the Mariners, Polcovich stands out for his versatility and grinder mentality. He split time at second and third base in college and saw significant time in the outfield in the Cape Cod League. A switch-hitter with a solid swing and excellent barrel control from both sides of the plate, Polcovich has a knack for getting on base and sneaky fringe-average power. He's not likely to be more than a fringe-average defender with an average arm because he struggles with his footwork on ground balls,
  
  THE FUTURE: Polcovich should be adequate in a utility role provided his bat develops. He should be ready for a full-season assignment in 2021.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The son of former Pirates infielder Kevin Polcovich, Kaden played two years at Northwest Florida State JC before heading to Oklahoma State for his junior year. He hit .344 in 18 games for the Cowboys before the season shut down and was drafted by the Mariners in the third round. Polcovich signed for $575,000 and spent the summer at the Mariners' alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Like fellow OSU alum Donovan Walton, drafted four years earlier by the Mariners, Polcovich stands out for his versatility and grinder mentality. He split time at second and third base in college and saw significant time in the outfield in the Cape Cod League. A switch-hitter with a solid swing and excellent barrel control from both sides of the plate, Polcovich has a knack for getting on base and sneaky fringe-average power. He's not likely to be more than a fringe-average defender with an average arm because he struggles with his footwork on ground balls,
  
  THE FUTURE: Polcovich should be adequate in a utility role provided his bat develops. He should be ready for a full-season assignment in 2021.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The son of former Pirates infielder Kevin Polcovich, Kaden played two years at Northwest Florida State JC before heading to Oklahoma State for his junior year. He hit .344 in 18 games for the Cowboys before the season shut down and was drafted by the Mariners in the third round. Polcovich signed for $575,000 and spent the summer at the Mariners' alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Like fellow OSU alum Donovan Walton, drafted four years earlier by the Mariners, Polcovich stands out for his versatility and grinder mentality. He split time at second and third base in college and saw significant time in the outfield in the Cape Cod League. A switch-hitter with a solid swing and excellent barrel control from both sides of the plate, Polcovich has a knack for getting on base and sneaky fringe-average power. He's not likely to be more than a fringe-average defender with an average arm because he struggles with his footwork on ground balls,
  
  THE FUTURE: Polcovich should be adequate in a utility role provided his bat develops. He should be ready for a full-season assignment in 2021.