1 bold prediction for each MLB team in 2018

Texas Rangers – Joey Gallo hits 65 home runs

If there is one player outside the Bronx Bombers who embodies the phrase “light tower power”, it has to be Joey Gallo of the Texas Rangers. He has power for days and he smashed 41 home runs as a rookie in 2017. Many of them were of the moonshot variety and there’s big things on the horizon for the young power bat in the heart of Texas.

Some may be quick to point out that Judge was picked to hit under 40 homers just a few slides ago. He hit 11 more than Gallo did last year, so why the hate for Judge? While Judge hit 11 more, his batting average was also 75 points higher. For Gallos to even sniff Judge in home runs is insanely impressive given the batting average disparity. Gallo is not going to be confused with a high average hitter anytime soon. His ceiling might be in that .230-.240 range. His pre and post All-Star game splits are encouraging from that standpoint. Before his average was under .200 but afterward, he got more comfortable. He still only hit .229 but it showed he was improving. The homers were very evenly distributed between these splits but Gallo had never played a full season before. He’ll be just 25 years old in the summer and showed he can get better at the dish.

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The last time a player cracked 60 dingers in a season was Sammy Sosa in 2001. Current Yankee Giancarlo Stanton gave it a run last year but ended at 59. Shifting from Miami to New York could make a difference and Stanton and Gallo will duel for the home run crown with Gallo edging out the New York superstar.