The Texas Rangers No. 1 prospect is coming to Arlington. The Minor League home run legend, Joey Gallo will be called up today and slip into Adrian Beltre’s spot while he is on the disabled list.
Get ready Texas, 3B Joey Gallo to be called up Tuesday.
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 1, 2015
#1 on @Rangers Top 30 (#9 overall): http://t.co/wXlyZW7HHm pic.twitter.com/MgjaC1d89L
Beltre heads to the DL with a sprained thumb. He is expected to miss two or three weeks, possibly a little bit longer. Rangers General Manager Jon Daniels has made one thing clear. The 21-year old third baseman will only be in the big leagues until Beltre returns. This will be a short-term learning experience.
Daniels being very clear that this will be short term callup. Beltre expected to miss 2-3 weeks
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) June 1, 2015
When Beltre went down, the Rangers were left with 32-year old Adam Rosales as their go to third base backup. Over the course of Rosales’ Major League career, he has slugged 27 home runs. Gallo could do that in his sleep. In fact, playing for the power happy Rangers offense, he could eclipse a third of that before he is sent back down to the minors.
More from MLB News
- MLB Power Rankings: Atlanta Braves still on top with major shifting below them
- Caesars MLB Promo Code: Two Shots at Picking the World Series Winner!
- MLB Power Rankings: Atlanta Braves still on top amid a big shake-up in top 10
- DraftKings MLB Promo: Bet $5 on an Anytime Home Run, Win $150 Bonus GUARANTEED
- MLB Power Rankings: After MLB trade deadline, gap is closing on Atlanta Braves
Gallo started the season at No. 16 on Grading on the Curve’s Top 50, but has crept into the Top 10. His 2015 season started off slowly when he required surgery on his ankle, forcing him to miss the first two weeks of the season. He bounced back quickly, and was the Texas League Player of the Week just a week ago.
Now, Gallo heads to the big leagues with his big bat. We are being told it is for learning experience, and good or bad, Gallo will be back in the minors soon.
Right now, it actually seems logical, because the Rangers bats at any possible position that Gallo could fit into, are performing very well. Prince Fielder looks fully recovered from his injury last season, and Mitch Moreland is playing some of his best baseball of his career. They combine to form the DH/1B tandem.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
The Rangers had been considering Gallo in left field as well due questionable defense, but that spot is now occupied by Josh Hamilton. Hamilton looks very happy to be back in the Major Leagues, and is rewarding his former team for giving him a second chance early on.
Add into the mix that Gallo is such a wild card with his big swing. Gallo will most likely excite some fans with long moonshots, but he also strikes out a ton (already 49 strikeouts in his first 121 2015 at bats). It will be interesting to see how he handles big league pitchers, who are without a doubt going to attack Gallo and his weaknesses.
That’s not to say Gallo can’t succeed and force the Rangers into a very tricky decision. That being said, the Rangers have the luxury of having a solid offensive squad right now, and breaking Gallo in slowly may benefit them down the road.