The Rangers will promote power-hitting third base prospect Joey Gallo to the big league roster tomorrow, GM Jon Daniels tells the Ben & Skin Show on CBS Dallas Fort-Worth (h/t Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, Twitter links).
Daniels stressed in his comments that the move is designed only to be a short-term patch. In announcing the move, executive VP of communications noted that Gallo will occupy an active roster spot created by placing Adrian Beltre on the 15-day DL with a sprain and laceration on his left thumb.
Gallo was on the prospect map prior last year, owing to his unmatched raw power, but show up the charts when he put it into action with a monster age-20 season. He hit 21 home runs apiece at High-A and Double-A, splitting his time about evenly between those levels. Of course, Gallo’s overall batting line was far superior at the lower level, and he struck out a troubling 115 times in his 291 plate appearances for Frisco.
While injury delayed his start to 2015, he’s only delivered more promise since healing. Gallo continues to deliver plenty of pop after starting the year back at Double-A, and has improved his plate discipline rather markedly (16.4% BB vs. 33.6% K, as opposed to the 12.4% BB vs. 39.5% K he put up in the last half of 2014).
Contact and strikeout rates are still a significant concern for Gallo’s long-term outlook, of course, but he as things stand he is walking at a healthy rate and squaring up enough balls to provide plenty of value. Whether he can stick at third is also something of a question: he is said to have an outstanding arm, but sub-par range.
He’s far from a sure thing, the upside is tremendous. Indeed, Gallo is a consensus top-ten prospect leaguewide. While Texas appears inclined only to give him a taste of the big leagues, a hot start would make it hard to drop him back to the minors (though his left-handed bat doesn’t have an obvious role with Mitch Moreland performing and Josh Hamilton now in the fold).
Given their plans, the Rangers are probably not terribly concerned with Gallo’s service time status. Even if he does stay on the active roster all year, he probably would not be set up to qualify for Super Two status. And while all service accumulated this year will force Texas to wait longer next year in order to preserve an additional season of club control, the Rangers have other corner options (particularly, left-handed hitting ones) — and good reason to allow Gallo to further develop.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Gallo, with a G?
It’s not Joey Gallo. It’s Joey Callo. C A L L O.
Gallo–with a G….
thanks for the chuckles everyone…I thought the same thing-wonderful movie.
They have to play that sound bite from the movie for his first walk-up …..
LOL. As he’s walking up to the plate.
Rangers fans temper your expectations. With every promotion, every single one, he has struck out a ton and then figured it out about 2-3 months after or in the off season.
And? You pointed out that he will eventually figure it out. Thats a good thing no?
But he won’t be here long enough to even close to figuring out. 2 weeks when he needs 2 months.
Yeah for a taste. Its not the end of the world. Let him get some cuts in now then add him again when rosters expand. Or he stays down. Either way he gets to see the show live
Promote promote or promote to AAA?
To majors
If it was to AAA, I don’t think it would get its own headline. Kind of like how the Yankees promoting Luis Severino to AAA was bundled in with other stories
Promote promote
Yeah we only do these posts for big league promotions, mostly b/c of service time considerations. But I should’ve made clear and so edited.
Fans in the upper deck better be on high alert…and the catcher for when he swings at terrible pitches. Overall, this should be exciting though!
A career minor league OPS of 1.010. Thats outer worldly
He and Prince hitting 3-4 should be fun..
Well in fairness, he has never played in AAA (or if he has, his stats aren’t up yet. 2015 is only showing AA). Not saying he won’t hit in the majors, don’t get me wrong.
Some organizations view AA as the better place to keep top prospects because they will play against the majority of other top prospects there as opposed to in AAA where many people there are people who are fringe players. There is give and take with that philosophy, but just what I have heard.
That very well could be true. Never thought of it that way. Not to mention AAA also has several old vets playing too that have signed minor league deals.
This is true to an extent. AAA pitchers are better generally speaking though
Yeah, that is why I said there was give and take. AAA pitchers are more likely to have refined command, but AA pitchers are likely to have the better stuff but still need work on mechanics/command.
AA has better prospects but AAA is more refined baseball so to speak, and some guys with MLB experience. But it really depends on the organization. Some teams require their players to play at AAA for a certain number of innings or at bats, while others like to call them up straight from AA.
I dunno. At least in AAA top kids can face retreads, some of which are decent MLB vets.
This is a bold move by Texas. Is it just a PR move? I really hope not.
I think it should bring a little extra fire into the line-up, although everyone knows he is going to strike out more than his fair share of times.
No, it isn’t a PR move. Has there been bad PR recently? He’s taking the place of Beltre who’s going to DL. Rangers have available roster spot with no better option at 3rd, why not call him up?
Prince makes contact,Joey doesn’t !
Maybe in 2016, but coming up, he should be any higher than 6th.
DeSheilds, Choo, Fielder, Hamilton, Moreland, Gallo, Andrus, Chirinos, Alberto
There is nothing wrong with him getting his feet wet while Beltre is out for the next little while. He has cut his strikeout rate down quite a bit it seems so far this year which has been impressive for him. Good luck Joey!
his career MiLB rate is 40.6% this year it’s 40.4%
His K% on Fangraphs for this year is 33.6% while last year it was 39.5% at AA, which was what I was basing it off of. But yeah, you’re actually right since K% is based on PAs oppose to ABs. My mistake. Kinda weird why they do that though.
I don’t know.
So the question becomes if by slim chance Gallo plays very well let’s say 120+ wRC+ who does he replace when Beltre comes back? Moreland has been very good (think he has platooned with blanks). Choo has been much better of late and is owed a ton of money, Hamilton they just acquired. He can’t play up the middle, so? Seems short term unless they would entertain trading Moreland or Beltre
It is certainly a good problem to have if it comes to that. I think it’ll all work itself out though, whether that means Gallo struggles (more than likely given he is skipping AAA), or somebody regresses.
Rosales?
Unless the Yankees want him, it would be pretty hard to trade Beltre since he’s owed $18 million for next year. In any event, it’s probably a moot point, since guys who strike out more than 1x per game at AA (or AAA) usually aren’t ready to hit MLB pitching (see Jon Singleton).
What would the Yankees do with Beltre? Headley is here for the next few years
I don’t know, but the Yankees are one of the only teams that would be willing to pay a guy like him $18 million. I agree, it doesn’t make much sense for them either. The Dodgers and Boston have even more 3B, and those are the only other teams I could think of that might pay him.
I think Beltre is pretty easily worth his contract. Still a very good player that happened to get off to slow start this year
$18MM seems like a lot given his age and productivity this year. It seems like a “rich teams only” contract, or Texas pays him to play for someone else.
He’s still a elite defender, and probably a good hitter. All he needs to be is a above average starter to be worth it and he probably is.
$18MM is a lot more than average for a starting 3B. I just don’t think there’s a good confluence out there of need and money. 3B is pretty strong these days.
look at what Pablo Sandoval got, more than that. And he is a good player but far from a star. Times are changing.
Right, but Boston is one of only a handful of teams that can pay that much for anybody but the top talent. Beltre is already on another one of those teams. The Dodgers have way too many IFs already. The Yankees have a 3B. The Cubs have too many IFs. The Mets aren’t in the market and are still counting on Wright. The Angels aren’t good enough to justify the move.
I’m just not sure there’s a spot for Beltre unless Texas will pay him. I’ll have a different view next year, when you’re talking about less than a full season’s salary, but I think he’d be hard to trade this season without Texas paying him, unless they’re willing to give him away for a low-level prospect or something like that.
No, many teams can pay that money look at teams payroll now. Beltre is coming off a season where he was a elite player at his position, now based on 150 or however pa’s he isn’t worth what average to above average starters are getting payed now? He’s still a elite defender, he doesn’t need to be much at the plate to be worth that contract. All star’s are being payed 25+ million now, times have changed.
Beltre will make $18 million next year. And, sure, plenty of teams will pay a guy that much. In fact, the exact number is 17. 17 teams are paying a guy $18 million or more this year. But look at the list and consider who might take Beltre.
Beltre’s current team
Texas — obviously, they aren’t trading for him.
Teams that can probably afford it, but clearly don’t have the need/desire
Dodgers — as I’ve said, I just don’t see it given their depth at the position and their already massive budget.
Yankees — already paying a lot for a 3B, and overly deep at DH. Not happening, they won’t double up on big salaries at the same position under the new regime.
Cubs — no need at 3B; they’re already moving IFs to the OF.
Mets — probably not buyers, plus they will wait on Wright
Boston — they already have too many 3Bs
Teams that maybe can afford it, but have bigger needs
Detroit — they are a decent fit, but their budget is maxed and they need pitching way more than they need Beltre.
Toronto — I actually don’t think that Toronto could take on Beltre’s salary, but even if they could, they have Donaldson at 3B and a bunch of guys to DH.
San Diego — Also almost certainly can’t afford it. But, if they can, they have a much bigger need at SS and will look there first.
Teams that aren’t looking to acquire veterans
Philadelphia — they aren’t trying to trade for an $18 million vet in the last year and a half of his contract
Angels — not good enough to justify taking Beltre on.
Colorado — not a buyer, even if they have the money to pay him. If anything, they will fall off this list by trading Tulo.
Cardinals — they just don’t trade for guys like this
Teams that have an $18MM player, but clearly aren’t picking up another one
Minnesota — They already overpaid for Mauer, who they couldn’t really afford even when he was a star. They also have bigger needs at pitching, so if you don’t buy that they can’t afford it, they go in the same category as Detroit. They wouldn’t be in on Beltre.
Vaguely plausible scenarios
Seattle — no need at 3B. They may be one of the better fits if they are willing to pay for an $18 million DH. So there’s one possible fit, though it’s a stretch.
Washington — they’re at a budget limit too, but maybe they’d make a move if they thought it would put them over the top. They’d need Rendon to come back and be really good to even consider a move. And, even then, they’d be pretty strong with Escobar at 2B and Rendon. Still, outside shot they’d have interest.
Giants — I don’t see this happening — it’s too much money for the Giants to take on in a multi-year deal. He’d be their third highest paid player next year, and they have a lot of roster spots to fill in next off-season. Still, one of the more plausible scenarios in terms of interest.
So, there you go. There are maybe three plausible interested buyers in Beltre if the Rangers don’t pay a big chunk of his salary. Obviously, there’s more interest if the Rangers will pay him.
There are more than 17 teams that can afford a 18 million dollar contract.
If you say so. So far, there have only been 17 teams *willing* to give an $18 million contract, which I’d say is the most relevant fact in determining if teams will trade for him.
I really don’t think anybody is going to pick up an apparently over the hill Beltre to be their highest paid player.
Again, all bets are off if Texas will pay a big chunk of his 2016 salary.
There is nothing over the hill about Beltre, he is still very good
He’d be a great fit for the Giants, contract notwithstanding, if Duffy can’t handle being the starting 3B.
Rangers going well after a pretty incredible May, makes sense to just see what you’ve got here instead of trying to piece it together at 3B for the next 2 wks.
Another Vegas boy
I’d love for the Rangers to somehow acquire Javier Baez, oh, to see Baez-Gallo back to back! Along with Prince, Hamilton, Choo and Beltre – that would be a crazy lineup!
You want to see that many strikeouts?
The strikeouts would be crazy with Baez and Gallo back to back.
A career MiLB K rate of 29% followed by a career 41% rate…yep that would create quite a breeze in any ballpark.
I love home runs and don’t care if they come with strikeouts.
Newsflash: a 10 pitch strikeout is one of the best outs a hitter can make as it gets the pitcher out of the game faster. A less than 3-pitch GIDP is the worst out a hitter can make as its 2 outs and also keeps the SP in the game.
and a 4 pitch strikeout isn’t that great.
More importantly, where is the favorite icon for MLBTR? It’s annoying not having one.
Wasn’t he the lawyer in My Cousin Vinny?
Joey Gallo for JBJ and Sean Coyle.
Where would the red sox put him? They’re already playing musical chairs with their position players
Joey Gallo for Allen Craig and Shane Victorino.
you must be a Red Sox fan LOL
there’s no way.
Oh im so ready for this kid to come up tomorrow. He has extroadinary power by pulling the ball to right. I saw him hit in Nevada last years spring training when the rangers face the cubs and he absolutely crushed a ball over the wall and it went into the the bushes and almost to the streets
Not a bad debut.