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Fantasy Baseball: Joey Gallo Should be in your Lineup

By Robert Townsend

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Less than two weeks ago, Joey Gallo was an exciting minor league prospect playing in AA. But after Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre got injured and was sent to the DL, Gallo was given an opportunity to play in the majors, and he has done amazing things with the chance. After hitting a home run destined for SportsCenter’s Top 10 against the Twins on June 13th, you’ve probably missed your chance to get him off your league waivers. For those of you who stashed him on your bench, and those who waited to throw him in a DFS lineup until he showed enough to be worth the cash, now is the time to take advantage.

Jun 14, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Joey Gallo (13) fields during the game against the Minnesota Twins at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

While you shouldn’t place sky-high expectations on Joey Gallo, you shouldn’t feel guilty for getting excited about what he’s shown so far. In his first start as a major leaguer on June 2nd, he nearly hit for the cycle. He followed that incredible start with another home run in his second game. Since then, he remained relatively quiet, amassing hits in most games. That is until his aforementioned home run blast on Saturday, bringing his home run total to 3 and run total to 7 over his first 10 games. Not a bad start for a AA player.

Joey Gallo had plenty of hype before entering the majors. He’s a very young prospect (21 years old), but has already looked great while moving through the Rangers farm system, winning the Rangers’ minor league player of the year award in 2014. Even though he was only in AA in 2015, his skills were clearly promising enough that many were getting excited for his inevitable move up to the majors.

The main negatives for him are strike outs and future opportunity. He had a high strike out rate in the minor leagues. Through ten games in the pros, he already has 15 strike outs in 36 at bats. However, his worst game was one of his first (four strike outs), and he managed to show incredible plate discipline on Saturday, getting walked three times. In terms of opportunity, he’s getting this play time because of the injury to Beltre, and a more advantageous 5th spot in the lineup thanks in part to Josh Hamilton’s injury. So far Gallo’s youth has shown in the field, where he’s already committed four errors. This has led to a fielding percentage of .800, below Beltre’s season percentage of .955. He will need to do a lot more to prove he deserves to keep a spot in the starting lineup for the Rangers.

Joey Gallo is owned in 90% CBS leagues and 75% of ESPN leagues. If you have him, it’s time to get him in the starting lineup and enjoy the incredible hot streak he’s on. Just be aware that when Adrian Beltre comes back, you’ll might need someone to replace Gallo.

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For daily fantasy players, Joey Gallo’s hovering around the 10th spot in salary for third basemen on the major sites. Considering Gallo’s hit in nearly every game he’s played in so far, you should have confidence to use him when he has good pitching matchups.

Pitchers could start figuring Gallo out. Or his hot start could cool off significantly. But after a game where he showed an ability to both hit for power and be patient at the plate, enjoy the value you’re getting while it’s here.

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