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Joey Gallo Begins Throwing for MLB Teams in Bid to Return as a Pitcher

His elite arm strength has prompted fresh evaluations from clubs on a tight pre-season timeline.

Overview

  • MLB insider Jon Heyman reports Gallo has started throwing for interested teams in Florida as clubs gauge his viability on the mound.
  • Multiple teams previously signaled interest in the conversion, but no contract has been reported as spring training gets underway.
  • Gallo, 32, is a 10-year MLB veteran with more than 200 home runs, two All-Star selections and two Gold Gloves, though persistent contact issues curtailed his hitting market.
  • He was released by the White Sox last year to pursue pitching full time, building on a high school background that included a no-hitter and Nevada Gatorade Player of the Year honors.
  • Statcast data underpin the curiosity, with Gallo logging one of MLB’s strongest outfield arms in 2020 at an average of 94.9 mph, and recent position-player-to-pitcher switches like Anthony Gose and Tyler Naquin offer limited precedent.