Texas Rangers: Joey Gallo’s on-base streak is not being appreciated enough

The Texas Rangers have played in 24 games so far this season. RF Joey Gallo has reached base in 23 of those games.

Let’s take a moment to recognize just how difficult this to achieve over any stretch of games. The fact that this 23 game on-base streak has also occurred in consecutive games (Gallo has had one day off) only adds to the caliber of this incredible feat.

The 27-year-old’s .439 OBP is 10th in all of baseball, while his 23 walks rank second in baseball behind only the LA Dodgers’ Max Muncy. Both of those figures lead the American League.

Joey Gallo’s on-base streak is an improbable one. The Texas Rangers will take it, though.

Joey Gallo walks. Evergreen content.

According to Baseball Savant, Gallo’s walk rate this season is in the 100th percentile, which is absolutely mind-blowing when you consider how many strikeouts he has continued to rack up.

The slugging right fielder is taking more pitches than he ever has previously, and conversely, is seeing less good pitches to hit.

The combination of these two factors are contributing to Gallo’s elite plate discipline and transformation. Unfortunately, however, this on-base streak has largely sapped him of his penchant for power hitting.

Gallo has just two home runs this season and went 20 games without an extra-base hit prior to this frozen rope against the Angels.

One has to figure that as the season progresses, Gallo will reclaim his famous power stroke. He’s too strong and talented to keep whiffing on opportunities to mash the baseball.

This on-base streak is the Texas Rangers’ longest to begin a season since 2008, when Ian Kinsler began that year by reaching base safely in 25 consecutive games.

It’s also the longest for the team since Shin Soo-Choo’s remarkable streak of 52 games in a row on base set back in 2018.

We think Gallo will reach the first mark given his uncanny propensity to draw walks. The 52 games? Well, never say never…

Either way, the 27-year-old’s hitting profile only makes what he’s doing to extend this streak all the more improbable.

The rest of the league should be paying more attention to Gallo’s achievement, because what he’s doing is unprecedented for a player of his type.

An evolving player with a nuanced plate approach, let’s hope Gallo keeps this up!