Joey Gallo’s Unlikely MLB Comeback: Former Slugger Converts to Pitching

Former MLB star Joey Gallo is embarking on one of the rarest career moves in professional baseball — shifting from outfielder and slugger to pitcher. More than a year after his last big-league at-bat, the 32-year-old is putting all his focus on the mound.

Once, Gallo was known for his home-run power and elite defense. Now, he hopes his strong arm and physical build can turn him into a successful pitcher. It’s a bold move, and honestly, it just adds another unexpected chapter to his already unusual baseball story.

Joey Gallo’s Unique Career Path

Gallo’s journey through Major League Baseball hasn’t followed a typical script. Over a decade with five different teams, he built a reputation as one of the game’s ultimate “three true outcome” hitters — home run, walk, or strikeout, seemingly every time up.

His raw power led to 208 home runs and 453 RBIs. But his high strikeout rate (1,292 in 939 games) sometimes made people forget just how productive he could be.

At 6-foot-5, Gallo’s size and athleticism helped him earn two All-Star selections and two Gold Glove Awards between 2019 and 2021. Those peak years came with the Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees, where he became a real threat at the plate and a standout in the field.

The Decline and Departure from Hitting

After joining the Yankees, Gallo’s offensive numbers started to drop. Reduced playing time and trades followed, sending him to the Dodgers, Twins, and Nationals.

His defensive performance also took a hit after 2021, and he spent more time at first base instead of the outfield. Gallo signed a minor-league deal with the Chicago White Sox, hoping to revive his hitting career, but he requested his release earlier this year to fully commit to pitching.

This marks a real break from his past as a slugging outfielder.

The Pitching Experiment

Gallo recently posted a short video on social media, showing himself throwing off a mound. Fans got their first look at his new delivery.

His mechanics use an overhand motion with a lot of extension — a valuable trait for taller pitchers. It makes pitches reach hitters faster and can add some deception.

Scouts have always praised Gallo’s arm strength, which once touched 98 mph. That kind of raw power could help if he can pair it with some command and a usable mix of pitches.

A Rare Transition in Baseball

Switching from hitter to pitcher at the pro level is rare, especially after a full decade in MLB. Some recent examples include Tyler Naquin and David Fletcher, but they didn’t find much success.

For Gallo, the challenge isn’t just physical. He’ll need to adjust mentally to the specialized demands of pitching — keeping his mechanics intact and learning how to outthink experienced hitters.

Unlike two-way stars like Shohei Ohtani, who trained as a pitcher from the start, Gallo’s trying to reinvent himself late in his career. There’s no guarantee he’ll make it back to the majors.

Why Gallo’s Attempt is Intriguing

Several things make Gallo’s transition worth following:

• Elite Arm Strength: His throwing velocity once ranked among the top for MLB position players.
• Physical Build: Tall pitchers often get more out of their stride and extension, making it tougher for hitters to time them.
• Defensive Background: His experience tracking fly balls and making sharp throws could help him field his position on the mound.
• Mental Toughness: Surviving the ups and downs of a power-hitting career might prepare him for the grind of learning to pitch.

While the odds aren’t great, if Gallo pulls off a return to the majors as a pitcher, he’ll go down as one of the most versatile athletes in recent MLB history. Even just carving out a role as a reliever could be valuable for teams looking for a power arm late in games.

Still, it’s a huge leap — mastering a new skill set under real pressure isn’t easy for anyone, no matter how talented.

Looking Ahead

Joey Gallo’s comeback bid will get plenty of attention from fans, scouts, and baseball insiders. People are curious—can he really make this work?

If he manages to harness his velocity, find some consistency, and stay healthy, maybe the door to MLB opens again. This time, though, he’d be stepping onto the mound instead of into the batter’s box.

Gallo’s willingness to reinvent himself says a lot about the kind of resilience you need in pro sports. Honestly, the baseball world can’t resist a good underdog story, and Gallo’s might be one to root for.

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Here is the source article for this story: Joey Gallo the pitcher? Ex-slugger is attempting switch to big-league mound