AJ Pollock is a former professional baseball player who played as an outfielder for various teams in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born on December 5, 1987, in Hebron, Connecticut, and attended the University of Notre Dame, where he played college baseball for the Fighting Irish.
Pollock was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first round of the 2009 MLB draft and made his debut for the team in 2012. He quickly established himself as a reliable outfielder and a consistent hitter, earning a reputation as one of the best all-around players in the league.
Over the course of his career, Pollock played for several teams, including the Diamondbacks, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Boston Red Sox. He was known for his speed on the basepaths, his strong arm in the outfield, and his ability to hit for both power and average.
Pollock's best season came in 2015, when he batted .315 with 20 home runs, 76 RBI, and 39 stolen bases. He was named to the National League All-Star team that year and also won a Gold Glove award for his outstanding defensive play.
Despite his success on the field, Pollock was plagued by injuries throughout his career. He missed significant time in 2016 and 2017 due to a broken elbow and a groin strain, respectively, and also dealt with various other injuries over the years.
In 2019, Pollock signed a four-year, $55 million contract with the Dodgers, but he struggled to live up to expectations in his first season with the team. He hit just .266 with 15 home runs and 47 RBI in 86 games, and also missed time due to a staph infection and a hamstring strain.
Pollock bounced back in 2020, however, batting .276 with 16 home runs and 34 RBI in 55 games during the pandemic-shortened season. He also played a key role in the Dodgers' run to the World Series championship, hitting two home runs in the team's Game 5 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.
In 2021, Pollock continued to be a productive player for the Dodgers, batting .307 with 16 home runs and 49 RBI in 98 games. However, he once again dealt with injuries, missing time due to a hamstring strain and a strained groin.
On November 3, 2021, the Dodgers declined Pollock's $10 million option for the 2022 season, making him a free agent. Despite his injury history, Pollock is expected to draw interest from several teams due to his versatility and offensive skills.
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