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MLB Star Joey Gallo Announces He's Changing Positions

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Mar 16, 2025 2:35 PM ET

Joey Gallo will make a major change in hopes of reviving his big league career.

On Sunday, the Chicago White Sox released Gallo. The two-time All-Star, who was in camp on a minor league contract, batted 2-for-20 with no extra-base hits, one walk, and 11 strikeouts in nine spring training games.

Following the cut, Gallo announced a drastic move. The 31-year-old revealed on social media that he'll switch to pitching.

"It’s been fun outfield," Gallo wrote alongside a short hype video of defensive highlights that ended with him pitching.

Gallo followed the somewhat cryptic message by confirming that he's a pitcher now.

An unconventional prospect, Gallo rose through the Texas Rangers' farm system as an extreme "three true outcomes" slugger. At his best, he mitigated woeful contact skills with prolific power and plate discipline.

After initially struggling to find his footing, Gallo belted 41 home runs in 2019 and 40 in 2020. He posted an .838 OPS during those two seasons despite only batting .208.

In 2021, Gallo posted a career-high 4.5 WAR (via Baseball Reference) despite batting under the Mendoza Line. He accompanied a .199 batting average with 38 home runs, an MLB-leading 111 walks, and his second straight Gold Glove in the outfield.

However, that season (and his career) went downhill following a midseason trade to the New York Yankees. Not even his power and plate discipline could withstand the blow of a .160 average and 88 strikeouts in 228 plate appearances.

Gallo slashed .159/.291/.368 in 140 games with the Yankees before getting traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He swatted 21 home runs with a .177 average for the Minnesota Twins in 2023 before registering a .613 OPS with the Washington Nationals last year.

If any team gave Gallo another shot, it would have been the White Sox. They did little to improve a lackluster lineup after setting an MLB record with 121 losses in 2024.

Gallo flashed a strong outfield arm throughout his career, but he spent most of his time at first base last season. He's never pitched professionally, so it'll be a huge transition for a left-handed masher who throws righty.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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