Minnesota Twins fans react to slugger Joey Gallo leading the American League in home runs: "Let’s give him the MVP now" "A swing of beauty"
Joey Gallo has developed a reputation as an all-or-nothing slugger over nine major league seasons. Through seven years with the Texas Rangers, Gallo hit 145 home runs – but with a .211 average.
But something went askew after the Rangers traded Gallo to the New York Yankees in 2021. While he hit 13 home runs in 58 games of the Yankees' playoff push that season, his power stroke began to evaporate in 2022.
After hitting just 12 home runs with a .159 average over 82 games to start last season, the Yankees dealt him to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The trip to the West Coast did not lead to a rebound, however, as Gallo hit just seven homers with a .162 average for the Dodgers.
Joey Gallo is leading the American League in home runs. https://t.co/tv8FzTUpPe
When Joey Gallo signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Twins this offseason, the news barely rippled the water. However, playing back in the middle of the nation, Gallo's heavy hammer of a bat has returned. Through four games, he leads the major leagues with three home runs – and he is hitting .308.
Twins and Gallo fans alike are celebrating his resurgence.
@CodifyBaseball That is a swing of beauty.
@CodifyBaseball Wish all the best for that guy
@CodifyBaseball Good for him. Last year was a rough one.
Yes, of course, it is just four games into the 2023 season. And, yes, it is highly unlikely that Gallo will remain on his 100-plus homer pace for the next six-plus months. Even in Gallo's best seasons, 2017 and 2018, he hit 41 and 40 homers, respectively, with batting averages that were just barely over .200.
@CodifyBaseball Wow. 4 games in. Let’s give him the MVP now. https://t.co/GnHwYwrfhA
@CodifyBaseball On April 4th.
@CodifyBaseball Tweets that will be funny in august for 1000 Alex
The rest of the baseball world was quick to temper the optimism that Twins fans are feeling over Joey Gallo's explosive start.
In 2021, while hitting a combined 38 homers for the Rangers and Yankees, Gallo also claimed the curious double achievement of leading the American League in both walks (111) and strikeouts (213). Gallo does have four strikeouts to his three homers – so far this season. A regression to the mean is almost certainly coming at some point.
@CodifyBaseball And he will strikeout the next 45 times runners are in scoring position.
@CodifyBaseball And before long...in strikeouts and lowest BA
@CodifyBaseball He has that power potential. Unfortunately, it also pairs with lots of K's and a low average. If he can still take walks, the Twins will call that signing a win.
Not quite sure that the new MLB rule that bans infield shifts has much to do with whether the ball sails over the outfield wall, but it likely doesn't hurt either.
@CodifyBaseball Banning the shift is working already!
Joey Gallo is more than just a big bat
One thing often overlooked in Joey Gallo discussions is how good of a defender the slugger is. He has played four games at first base without an error this season, and he is also a great defensive outfielder. He won Gold Gloves in both 2020 and 2021 for his outfield defense.