2012 MLB Draft Prospects: Joey Gallo, 1B/3B/RHP, Bishop Gorman (Nev.)

Position: 1B/3B/RHP

Height/Weight: 6’5”, 205 lbs.

DOB: 11/19/1993

Bats/Throws: L/R

High School: Bishop Gorman (Nevada)

2012 Stats: .588 batting average, .667 on-base percentage, 14 RBI

Commitment: Louisiana State

Draft Projection: Top 25 overall

Joey Gallo is a physically strong, 6’5”, 205-pound, CI/RHP from Bishop Gorman HS (Nev.), a storied program that’s currently ranked as the second-best high school program in the country. 

One of the elite bats in the 2012 draft class, Gallo possesses power to all fields with exceptional pull-side power.  However, it’s not just the left-handed hitter’s bat that intrigues scouts—Gallo also has potential on the mound.

With a low-90s arm across the diamond, scouts will continue to debate whether Gallo is more projectable as a position player or pitcher.  Given his monster frame, he has impressive athleticism and exhibits natural defensive actions at third base.  However, he isn’t an elite defender and will probably never grade higher than a 55 at the hot corner.

Gallo’s best tool is without a doubt his power, which has the potential to be a 65 or 70 by the time he arrives in the major leagues. Last season at Bishop Gorman, he batted .471 with 25 home runs and 76 RBI while posting a 17/24 K/BB rate.  In 2010, Gallo swatted 15 bombs while posting a .474 batting average.

His raw power was on full display this past summer at the Perfect Game All-American Classic at Petco Park where he belted a 442-foot home run—the 10^th longest in the park’s history. 

The only knock on Gallo’s potential as a hitter is that, like most young power hitters, he has a tendency to drift and over-commit with his front side, which in turn causes his bat to drag and enter the zone awkwardly.  Therefore, he struggles to hit quality off-speed pitches at times.  But when he learns to adjust to such pitches, Gallo’s hit tool has the potential to be about a 60.

On the bump, Gallo’s fastball has already been clocked at 94 mph, and his size suggests there could be more in the tank.  While his arm works well, Gallo is a big, powerful kid and his mechanics can get a bit inconsistent at times and therefore affect his command.  As for off-speed, Gallo features an above-average breaker and a change up that needs some development.

Ranked by Baseball America as the No. 21 prep prospect, Gallo finds himself in a precarious position to begin the 2012 season.  He will be scrutinized until the draft as both a third baseman and pitcher, and disagreement about which position offers a higher ceiling could affect his stock. 

What could ultimately happen is something similar to when Kaleb Cowart was drafted 18^th overall by the Angels in 2009 as a switch-hitting third baseman.  If Gallo’s bat never develops at the professional level, he still possesses a potential 60-70 arm that could be utilized on the mound.  Although there hasn’t been a need to consider such a transition with Cowart, it will always remain an option down the road.

If Gallo isn’t drafted favorably he will head to Louisiana State, which, in reality, might not be a terrible idea if his bat and/or secondary offerings need further development.