Joey Gallo has developed a reputation as an incredible power hitter, and he proved Sunday that the billing is extremely well deserved.
Gallo, the No. 39 overall by the Texas Rangers out of Bishop Gorman High School in Nevada in 2012, pulled a home run in the Sirius XM All-Star Futures Game at Target Field so deep to right field that the ball disappeared from the sight of TV cameras.
But that wasn’t the only damage he did.
According to MLB.com’s Jim Callis, Gallo hit 15 home runs in batting practice before the game, including six to the third deck and three that went out of the park entirely. I think this one may have as well.
Gallo hit one home run in batting practice that broke the windshield of a car parked outside the park:
Car windshields are not safe during @JoeyGallo24 BP sessions. #FuturesGame pic.twitter.com/HndWqZJhkj
— All-Star Game (@AllStarGame) July 14, 2014
As impressive as the displays of power were, none of it should come as a surprise.
In his first season of pro ball two years ago, Gallo clubbed 22 home runs in just 59 games. He bashed 40 last season — 38 of which came in 105 games at Single-A Hickory. He has 31 home runs this season, which he has split between high-A Myrtle Beach and Double-A Frisco.
To put things in perspective, Gallo has hit 93 home runs and 95 singles in 255 career minor league games. His career average is a steady .273, while he’s struck out 363 times. The strikeout numbers are going to be high and the average might be low, but Gallo has the looks of one of the top power hitters in the game.
