Slugger Joey Gallo called up by Rangers

The Texas Rangers have called in for reinforcements, and they will be receiving them in the form of slugger Joey Gallo.

Gallo, a former first-round pick by the Rangers in 2012, was called up by the club on Monday after Drew Stubbs was placed on the 15-day DL.

Gallo was mashing in Triple-A Round Rock this season, hitting five doubles and eight home runs for a .639 slugging percentage and 1.050 OPS. Known for his prodigious power (watch this video), Gallo has smashed 135 home runs in 407 career minor league games, including consecutive 40-homer seasons in 2013 and 2014 combined over different levels of minor league ball.

He was called up last season by the Rangers and hit .204 with six home runs in 36 games.

There is little doubt that Gallo has some pop, the question is whether or not he’ll be able to bat at a high enough average to remain productive. If he does get hot, though, he has the potential to carry a team. At 25-19 entering play on Monday, the Rangers would love to have another boost to help them in their bid with the Mariners atop the AL West.