Joey Gallo DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

After asking for and being granted his release by the Chicago White Sox over the weekend, first baseman/outfielder/designated hitter Joey Gallo announced on X that he will now be transitioning to a pitcher. Gallo went just 2-for-20 with 11 strikeouts in nine Cactus League games for the White Sox before they cut him. The 31-year-old left-handed slugger was a former 39th overall pick by the Texas Rangers in 2012 and has 208 career home runs, but also 1,292 strikeouts in 3,403 career plate appearances over 10 big-league seasons. The two-time All-Star hit 40-plus home runs in back-to-back seasons in 2017 and 2018 with the Rangers but had really tanked offensively in recent years, slashing just .161/.277/.336 with 10 home runs, 27 RBI and 102 K's in 76 games with the Washington Nationals in 2024. Gallo will be a long shot to resurface in the big leagues as a hurler.

The Chicago White Sox released outfielder Joey Gallo. The White Sox signed Gallo to a minor-league contract earlier in the winter. During spring training, he went 2-for-20 at the plate. Last season, Gallo spent the campaign in Washington. Across 76 MLB contests, Gallo held a .161/.277/.336 slash line with nine doubles and 10 home runs. He drew walks at an impressive 12.3 percent rate but struck out at a high 39.2 percent rate. Gallo also generated a low .285 xwOBA with a .173 xBA. During the 2023 campaign, the 31-year-old logged 111 starts with the Minnesota Twins and posted a .177/.301/.440 line with 21 home runs. If Gallo does find a new club before Opening Day, he should not be targeted in any formats given his lack of consistency in the major leagues.

According to Scott Merkin of MLB.com, the Chicago White Sox have signed free-agent first baseman/outfielder Joey Gallo to a minor-league contract that includes an invite to spring training. Gallo spent the entire 2024 campaign with the Washington Nationals. Across 76 games in D.C., Gallo posted a .161/.277/.336 line with 10 home runs and nine doubles. Under the hood, he generated a strong 13.1 percent barrel rate but held a hefty 39.2 percent strikeout rate. However, he was able to draw walks at a hefty 12.3 percent rate. During the 2023 campaign, Gallo held a .177/.301/.440 line with 21 home runs. Fantasy managers should expect the 31-year-old to compete for a spot on the Chicago Opening Day roster during camp. If he does make the roster, he will likely see most of his starts at first base or right field.

As expected, the Washington Nationals declined their $8 million 2025 mutual option for outfielder/designated hitter Joey Gallo on Monday. It was the no-brainer move after Gallo showed more decline in his first year in the nation's capital. The two-time All-Star hit an abysmal .161/.277/.336 with a career-worst .613 OPS, 10 home runs, 27 RBI, three stolen bases and 24 runs scored in 260 plate appearances and 76 games played. The whiff-happy 30-year-old veteran left-handed slugger was always a big swing and miss guy, but it's gotten worse, with Gallo fanning in 102 of his 223 at-bats in 2024. In 10 big-league seasons since debuting in 2015 with the Texas Rangers, he has hit .194 with a .319 on-base percentage in 939 regular-season games. Gallo may have to settle for a minor-league deal elsewhere if he wants to continue his playing career.

Washington Nationals first baseman and outfielder Joey Gallo smashed a three-run home run and went 2-3 with a walk in Washington's 5-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. Gallo's homer was his ninth and he improved his OPS to .622 on the season. It was a positive game in a down season for the lefty, whose .622 OPS would be a career low outside of a 17-game season in 2016. Much of Gallo's 2024 has been marred with injuries, holding him back and limiting his playing time. Even with the missed playing time, this would be his third straight season with an xwOBA below .300, something fantasy managers simply aren't used to seeing. As an unrestricted free agent for the 2025 season, it may not be surprising to see Gallo sign with another team as the Nationals turn their heads to younger guys like Juan Yepez and Andres Chaparro at first base. A change of scenery may not be the worst thing for the 30-year-old as he works to get back to his old ways. He'll look to stay hot for the season's finish when the Nationals face their next righty on Wednesday against Alec Marsh and the Kansas City Royals.