With Beltre Injured, Rangers Call-Up Top Prospect Joey Gallo
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DALLAS (105.3 THE FAN) - Texas Rangers GM Jon Daniels tells 105.3 The Fan that top team prospect Joey Gallo will be called-up for an injured Adrian Beltre.
105.3 The Fan's Rangers Insider Jared Sandler writes: I've led the charge to keep Joey Gallo in the minors, vehement that, in prior instances, the time isn't right. But with Adrian Beltre's sprained left thumb that will keep him out a minimum of 2 weeks, for the first time since Gallo's been a part of the Rangers organization, I think it is a legitimate option and I'd have to believe, more importantly, the Rangers would legitimately considering it.
Before we continue, if I had to handicap the possible moves the Rangers will make at 3B, it'd look like this:
49% Rougned Odor called up, platooning at 2B with Rosales, who would face LHP, and Hanser Alberto to 3B.
49% Joey Gallo called up to play 3B
2% Ed Lucas called up to fill a utility role with Rosales and Alberto.
*Ryan Rua isn't eligible to come off the DL yet, but he has been getting work at 3B and could be an option eventually, if Beltre's injury lingers.
[tweet https://twitter.com/BenRogers/status/605486548574957570]
Now, back to Gallo and why I think it would make sense.
*He's played really well so far this year and has shown growth at the plate. He's still striking out around 40% of the time, but also has 24 walks in 34 games and, of course, he's got that prodigious power.
*There's a defined time frame for him to spend at the Major League level: the duration of Adrian Beltre's injury. With it made known from the start that he's only up while Beltre is hurt, that eliminates the pressure of him feeling the need to prove his spot and also helps you avoid a demotion that indicates an unsuccessful move. IF--and I mean IF--he sets the world ablaze during his time up, then you can reevaluate what you do with him, but unless that's the case, you then "promote" him to Triple-A instead of sending him back to Double-A.
*The team is playing really well and, while you aren't ever going to eliminate the spotlight on Joey Gallo's MLB arrival, you are limiting it with the distraction of the team's success and Josh Hamilton's presence, too.
*He isn't going to be heavily relied upon in the lineup. With veterans like Fielder and Choo and Hamilton hitting well, plus the recent surges of Moreland and Martin, not to mention the spark plug that is Delino DeShields, there's some cushion.
I'd be okay if it were Rougned Odor, but for the first time, I'd be okay with Gallo, too.
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