Texas Rangers callups: When to expect Joey Gallo

The Texas Rangers have been calling up players left and right all season long.  One of their top prospects Joey Gallo has quickly been making a name for himself.   He’s currently ranked as the number 1 prospect in the Rangers organization and 8th over all by Major League Baseball.

This season Joey Gallo has been putting on a power display.  While he was with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in the Carolina League he had a batting line of .323/.463/.735/1.199 with 9 doubles, 3 triples and 21 home runs.  Gallo’s 21 home runs still leads the Carolina league, despite him being promoted in early June.

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Also during his time in the Carolina league, besides claiming the top spot in the home run category, he was named the Carolina League Player of the month for May, player of the week 3 times, and Texas Rangers player of the month for April.  Along with his long list of awards this season, he was in the 2014 Futures game where he won the Futures Game MVP.

Video: 07/13/14 Gallo on winning the MVP

Texas Rangers prospect Joey Gallo talks after the U.S. Team’s win about winning the MVP of the Futures Game

He’s quickly building up a sizable resume to earn him enough credit for some major league time and for the promotion to double-A.  During his time with the Frisco Rough Riders he’s making plenty of noise with his bat.  During his first game he hit a walk-off 3-run home run and has continued to crush the ball.  He currently has 16 home runs and only trails by 2 to take the lead in the Texas League.

Another key stat for Gallo this season has been walks.  So far this season he’s walked 51 times at Myrtle Beach and 22 times in Frisco.   That’s a improvement over last season when he only had a total of 48.  He’s show improved power and discipline at the plate this year with his on-base and slugging percentage.

Scouts do say he’s a below-average runner and has limited range.  He does have a very good arm, which helps him play well at third base.  But, as good as his arm is, he still needs to do some work on his defense at third base.

As good as he has been at the plate, he still needs his time in the minors to continue to develop his defensive skills.  Also, with the additional time in the minors his plate discipline should continue to improve.  He’s a player that is going to depend on the strength of his arms for defense and offense and will be in the majors soon.   So when will that time come?  More than likely not until next season.  He probably won’t be part of this season’s September callups.   If the Texas Rangers are playoff contenders next season and are not injured, it would likely mean Gallo isn’t called up until the 2015 September callups.

That means fans should enjoy his time in Frisco while he’s there.  For Texas Rangers fans, it just a quick drive up towards north Dallas to be up and close with one of the team’s best players.  Also, more than likely if you do go to a Frisco Rough Riders game, you’ll get a closer look at Joey Gallo than you’ll ever get when he is called up as a Texas Ranger.