- 3B Joey Gallo
- RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez
- C Jorge Alfaro
- OF Nomar Mazara
- RHP Jake Thompson
- RHP Luis Ortiz
- OF Nick Williams
- RHP Luke Jackson
- OF Lewis Brinson
- 2B/3B Travis Demeritte
1. Joey Gallo
Position: 3B
DOB: 11/19/1993
Height/Weight: 6’5” 205 lbs.
Bats/Throws: L/R
Drafted/Acquired: 1st round, 2012 draft, Bishop Gorman HS (Las Vegas, NV)
Previous Ranking: #6 (Org), #95 (Top 101)
2014 Stats: .232/.334/.524 at Double-A Frisco (68 games), .323/.463/.735 at High-A Myrtle Beach (58 games)
The Tools: 8 raw; 7 arm; 5 potential glove
What Happened in 2014: The legend of Gallo and his Herculean power continued to grow with the Las Vegas native launching 40 home runs between two levels (good for second in the minors) and putting on a batting practice performance at the 2014 Futures Game over All-Star Weekend that overshadowed the MLB Home Run Derby held the next evening.
Strengths: Elite raw power; jaw-dropping displays both pregame and in game; huge leverage and extension through contact; showed improved ability to make in-game adjustments throughout summer; powerful trunk and core; thick, maturing body; good athlete for size; controls body; impressive bat speed; easy double-plus arm across the diamond; glove continues to improve, as does footwork at third.
Weaknesses: Big swing-and-miss; some coverage holes due to long levers; almost no ability to make in-swing adjustments due to swing path produced by heavy rotation through hips and long arms; still improving set-up on throws; hit utility could eat into giant raw; can struggle to keep on line; below-average runner.
Overall Future Potential: 7; all-star player
Realistic Role: 5; major-league regular
Risk Factor/Injury History: Moderate; swing-and-miss concerns persist as he works towards high minors.
Bret Sayre’s Fantasy Take: There's little point in questioning Gallo's upside, as it's that of a perennial top-five option at the hot corner—even with a .250 average. The issue here is the risk, and it has significantly diminished since a year ago, clearing the way for Gallo to be one of the most exciting dynasty prospects around with his potential 40-plus homer power.
The Year Ahead: Forget watching a Gallo BP session or tracking the ball from the pitcher to contact to the far reaches beyond the outfield wall, the mere sound of Gallo making contact elicits feelings of majesty—the glorious Ninth, by Ludwig Van, angel trumpets, and devil trombones. There isn’t a player in the game that outstrips Gallo in the raw power department, and while a year ago the promise of a generational slugger was very much something to dream on, Gallo’s growth throughout the 2014 season, and particularly his demonstrated ability to begin making adjustments in game and more generally with respect to his level of competition, have pushed the profile closer to realization. He is far from out of the woods, as demonstrated by his struggles upon initial exposure to Double-A competition. But his progress, both at the plate and on the dirt, has been impressive, and he is nearing the point where even a low estimated outcome could see Gallo as a useful major-league piece. He will return to the Texas League to continue to refine his approach and adjust to more advanced arms. The safe money has Gallo splitting this season between Double- and Triple-A and reaching the majors at some point in 2016. Should Texas find itself in a position where Gallo’s unique skill set has immediate utility to assist a push at the major-league level, however, he could easily find himself taking swings in Arlington sometime in the next seven months.
Major league ETA: 2016
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