Three years after being signed by scout Todd Guggiana as a supplemental first-round pick in the amateur draft in 2012, Joey Gallo made his major league debut. At the time, he played third base, but he has since been moved to the outfield.
Gallo set a Nevada record with 67 home runs and a .466 batting average. In the summer of 2011, he played first base for junior Team USA, batting .275/.403/.412 with 10 runs and 10 RBI.
He had a .992 fielding percentage, had 15 strikeouts in 51 at-bats, and tied for the team lead with 10 walks. The Junior Pan American Games were won by the US.
The following year, as a senior in high school, he batted .509 with 21 home runs, 66 runs, and 80 RBI. He broke both the Nevada high school career and single-season home run records (65).
The Texas Rangers took him with the 39th overall pick in the supplemental first round of the amateur draft in 2012. The selection served as restitution for C.J. Wilson’s departure via free agency.
After Lewis Brinson and before Collin Wiles, it was the second of Texas’s three first-round selections. He quickly signed and made his professional debut on June 20th with the AZL Rangers.
He was hitting after turning pro without missing a beat. After 15 games, the line was 292/.485/.771 with 6 home runs, 18 walks, 20 runs, and 14 RBI. His defense was a major issue, as evidenced by his 8 errors and .784 fielding percentage at the hot corner.
Where Is Joey Gallo From?
Joey Gallo is from Henderson, Nevada, United States. That was where he was born and grew up. He has Italian ancestors who are Italian immigrants from Sciacca, Sicily.