It is easy to become enamored with Joey Gallo’s tape measure home runs in the minor leagues, and the idea that he could become a power threat in the Major Leagues. However, the Texas Rangers prospect has yet to show that same capability in Arlington, and it may never come.
Joey Gallo may well be the premier power hitting prospect in all of baseball. The Texas Rangers corner infielder/outfielder has been a player that many kept an eye on, starting in 2013 when he hit 40 home runs across two levels. In 2014, Gallo outdid his previous performance, slugging 42 homers as he reached the Texas League, despite being only 20 years old.
A consensus top ten prospect heading into this season, expectations were high for Gallo. He had performed relatively well in a brief trial with the Rangers last year, hitting six home runs, but he also struck out 57 times in 108 at bats. Those strikeouts were an issue in the minors, but it was hoped that, with more development, he could cut down on those enough where his power could shine through.
This year, that strikeout mark was slightly better. After striking out in 43.3% of his at bats in the minors last year, Gallo decreased that amount to 41.8% this year. That was still an incredibly high number, but it was a bit of an improvement. He will always be a free swinger, but even slight progress is something.
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As it turns out, those slight gains made in the minors have not translated to the Major League level. In 21 at bats, Gallo has struck out 15 times, while recording only one hit. Of course, given his prodigious power, it was a home run, but that lack of plate discipline has to hinder his development.
Gallo, at this point, has become the extreme version of the Three True Outcomes player. He does draw the occasional walk, as teams will pitch around him in a tight situation, but he will also swing and miss those pitches as well. With his high strikeout rate, and his home run capability, Gallo has become an extreme version of Rob Deer.
At this point, his power is not enough to earn Gallo a spot on the Rangers. Yes, he could change a game with one swing of the bat, but he cannot be trusted to make contact with the game on the line. At this point, it is difficult to imagine that Gallo is a part of the future in Texas, at least if his strikeout rate remains at its current levels.
At 22 years old, Joey Gallo still has a lot of time to improve his plate discipline and to become a key piece in the Texas Rangers future. However, at this point, Gallo has the makings of a Quad-A player.
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