An Aces look back: AJ Pollock

The Reno Aces face the Oklahoma City Dodgers, Triple-A Affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers this week, for the first and only series between the two teams. Los Angeles, besides being the defending World Series champions, are the current home of former Aces standout AJ Pollock.

Pollock was a part of the 2020 World Series Champion team for the Dodgers and contributed to the team’s victory with his quality postseason performance.

The Dodgers secured the championship title in a nail-biting triumph against the Tampa Bay Rays in game six of the series. When Rays pitcher Blake Snell was unexpectedly pulled, the team from L.A. had their chance to score more runs and ultimately take the win. Snell had a fantastic performance on the mound, allowing only two Dodger hits and one run in 5.1 innings, while striking out nine. The mistake proved to be costly, and the Dodgers added two runs on the board to take their decisive lead, 3-1.

The National League All-Star had a four-game hitting streak during the postseason and put up 9 hits in the 14 games he appeared in.

In the National League Division Series championship game against the San Diego Padres, the left fielder posted two hits and reached base three times to help capture the win and advance the Dodgers into the National League Championship Series.

The Dodgers’ 2020 victory marked their seventh World Series championship for the organization. Before 2020, the most recent World Series win was 32 years ago, in 1988. L.A. has also achieved a record 24 National League pennants.

Pollock first joined the Dodgers organization in 2019, after spending the previous nine seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Since signing with L.A., Pollock has posted a .266/.319/.485 slash line in three seasons, appearing in 195 games.

The outfielder has been a staple in the Dodgers lineup so far in the 2021 season, appearing in 58 of the team’s 84 games.

With the addition of Pollock in 2019, the Dodgers won the National League West for the seventh straight year, extending the streak to eight in 2020. The team from L.A. also set a new franchise record in 2019 for the most regular season wins at Dodger Stadium with 59.

During his stint with the Reno Aces, Pollock appeared in games in 2012, 2017, and 2018. Pollock was a part of the Aces’ Triple-A National Champion team and was named Bobby Murcer Triple-A Championship MVP in 2012. Pollock posted a .318 batting average and 21 stolen bases on the season, tying for ninth and ranking ninth for the Aces all-time single-season lead.

In 2017, the outfielder played in seven games in an Aces uniform and later returned for two games in 2018, going three for seven at the plate with a home run.

Pollock signed his first professional contract in 2009 with the Arizona Diamondbacks and spent nine seasons in the organization. While playing for the Diamondbacks, Pollock was awarded Rawlings National League Gold Glove in 2015 and was named a National League All-Star the same year. Pollock batted .315 and posted 20 home runs in 157 games for the D-backs that season.

The Aces begin their series with Oklahoma City on July 15 with the first pitch slated for 5:05 p.m. PT. The series will be the only time the two teams meet this season, and can be heard on KPLY 630AM or online at RenoAces.com with Zack Bayrouty on the call.