Joseph Nicholas "Joey" Gallo is a professional baseball player, primarily an outfielder but also capable at third and first base, currently a free agent. He has played in MLB for the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, and Washington Nationals. Known for his exceptional power-hitting ability, Gallo is a three-time Gold Glove Award winner known for his defensive skills.
In 2013, Gallo became the first teenager since Dick Simpson in 1962 to hit 40 home runs in a minor league season.
On November 19, 1993, Joseph Nicholas Gallo, a professional baseball outfielder, third baseman, and first baseman, was born.
In 2012, the Texas Rangers selected Gallo in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft. Gallo signed with the Rangers for a $2.25 million signing bonus instead of enrolling at LSU.
In 2013, Gallo played with the Hickory Crawdads, leading the league with 38 home runs. He was named a Mid-Season All Star and a Post-Season All Star. Between Hickory and the AZL Rangers, he batted a combined .251/.338/.623 with 40 home runs and 172 strikeouts in 411 at-bats.
In 2014, Gallo played for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans and was named a Mid-Season All Star and a Post-Season All Star as well as the Carolina League MVP, after batting .323/.463/.735 and leading the league with 21 home runs. He was promoted to the Frisco RoughRiders in June.
On June 1, 2015, the Rangers promoted Gallo to the major leagues.
On June 30, 2015, Gallo was optioned to Triple-A to make room for Josh Hamilton.
In 2016, Gallo spent most of the season in the minor leagues, appearing in only 17 games for the Rangers. He had 19 strikeouts and one home run in 25 at-bats in the majors and batted .240/.367/.529 with 25 home runs and 150 strikeouts in 359 at-bats with Round Rock.
In 2017, Gallo won a major league roster spot out of spring training and played multiple positions all season for the Rangers. He finished the season with 41 home runs and 80 RBIs.
In 2018, Gallo batted .206/.312/.498, hit 40 home runs, drove in 92 runs, and struck out 207 times in 148 games.
In 2019, Gallo was named an American League All-Star, and also hit his 100th career home run. He finished the 2019 season hitting .253/.389/.598/.986 with 22 home runs and 49 RBI over 70 games.
On July 6, 2020, it was announced that Gallo had tested positive for COVID-19, despite being asymptomatic.
During the delay of the 2020 Major League Baseball season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gallo stayed in his Dallas apartment and set up a batting cage in his living room.
On April 9, 2021, Gallo was the only baserunner allowed by Padres pitcher Joe Musgrove in his no-hitter against the Rangers, getting hit by a pitch in the fourth inning.
On July 29, 2021, the Rangers traded Gallo and Joely Rodríguez to the New York Yankees.
In 2021, Gallo led the major leagues in strikeouts with 213 and won his second consecutive Gold Glove Award.
In 2021, Gallo was named to the MLB All-Star Game and participated in the Home Run Derby.
On March 22, 2022, Gallo signed a $10.275M contract with the Yankees, avoiding arbitration.
On August 2, 2022, Gallo was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Clayton Beeter.
On December 20, 2022, Gallo signed a one-year, $11 million contract with the Minnesota Twins.
In 2023, Gallo played in 111 games for the Twins, batting .177/.301/.440 with 21 home runs and 40 RBI. He became a free agent following the season.
On January 27, 2024, Gallo signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Washington Nationals.
On February 13, 2025, Gallo signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.
On March 16, 2025, Gallo requested and was granted his unconditional release from the Chicago White Sox organization.