Joey Gallo, the former slugger who had once set the league ablaze with his massive home runs, is charting a new course at 31 years old. After being released by the Chicago White Sox on March 16, 2025, Gallo has made the surprising decision to transition from outfield to pitching.
For Gallo, the past few seasons have been grueling. With a dismal career batting average of just .194 and 1,292 strikeouts over 3,403 plate appearances, Gallo's time at the plate has been defined by inconsistency. Last season, he struggled to connect, averaging merely .161 with the Washington Nationals, which fueled his sense of urgency to change directions.
Gallo’s major league debut came with the Texas Rangers back in 2015. He wasted no time making his mark, smashing a 92-mph fastball for a home run and showcasing his immense potential. Yet, the pressures of playing for teams like the New York Yankees took their toll. During his tenure at Yankee Stadium, he faced relentless boos, which weighed heavily on him. "I don’t go out on the streets," he admitted during 2022, highlighting the mental toll of public expectations.
Despite these challenges, Gallo's passion for baseball remained strong. After expressing interest through his agent about pursuing pitching if he didn’t secure his place on the major league roster, the White Sox decided to facilitate his request for release. Josh Barfield, the White Sox's assistant general manager, revealed, "He had expressed interest through his agent if it didn't work out on the major league team... but he asked for his release today. So we accommodated ..." This decision marks the beginning of Gallo’s new chapter.
On March 17, 2025, Gallo took to social media to announce his intentions. "It’s been fun outfield," he said, accompanied by a highlight reel from his past games. Yet, he continued, "Just to be clear, I will be pitching." This decision is not entirely out of the blue; Gallo has always had strong pitching instincts, if not experience. His remarkable arm strength has been evident since high school, where he was a dominant presence on the mound at Bishop Gorman High School, even throwing a no-hitter.
His transition isn’t just about leaving the past behind—there's significant pressure to find success on the mound. Manager Will Venable noted the mutual agreement between Gallo and the organization, wishing him luck as he embarks on this new path. "Just talking to Joey and talking to him this morning, just came to a mutual agreement ... the best thing," Venable said.
The wave of players shifting from hitting to pitching adds depth to Gallo’s move. Earlier examples like Rick Ankiel and Tyler Naquin have shown how one can successfully navigate this transformation. Gallo's transition can be seen as part of this trend where position players, seeing little opportunity to thrive as hitters, switch hats to extend their careers.
Naquin, once with the Cincinnati Reds, has been one of those who took the leap. After deciding to focus on pitching, he now sees his fastball topping out at 97 mph. His story parallels Gallo’s, providing both encouragement and caution as they tread this slightly worn path.
Braving such risks at this stage of Gallo's career speaks volumes about his resilience and determination. Facing less than ideal conditions, where he has recorded such figures as 11 strikeouts over 20 at-bats during the various Cactus League games leading to his release, he refused to fade away without fighting for another chance. The challenge of reconstructing oneself as a pitcher is immense, but for Gallo, this gamble might be his ticket back to the big leagues.
This pathway isn’t without challenges, especially as he learns the intricacies of pitching at the professional level. Many who have attempted such transformations have faced extensive hurdles, and Gallo knows he will need to develop both his skills and mental fortitude as he shifts his career focus.
Gallo's future may be riddled with uncertainties, reminiscent of the spiraling doubts he faced as a batter, but therein lies the heart of his story: the courage to recreate oneself when faced with immense challenges. "Where we are right now, it's tough to give him [Gallo] the opportunity... it's not ... right? You see it with [Rick] Ankiel..." said Barfield, drawing attention to the slim yet present hope for such unorthodox career shifts.
His determination to make this switch at such a mature stage of his career reflects not only his toughness but also his deep-rooted love for the sport. Joey Gallo's story, encapsulated within the conversations of change and perseverance, serves as inspiration for anyone wondering if they too can turn their passions upside down and emerge anew. Whether or not he makes it back to the majors as this new entity, his relentless spirit and refusal to give up are what truly define him as a player walking back onto the field.
