Joey Gallo’s potential MLB comeback as a pitcher is drawing attention from several teams, spurred by a surprising position switch.
Reports from Jon Heyman of the New York Post indicate that multiple clubs have shown interest in signing Gallo as a pitcher in free agency. In March, the 32-year-old publicly announced his plan to try pitching and has since shared progress updates on social media, fueling speculation about a possible switch back to the mound at the highest level.
Gallo’s pitching ambitions follow a rocky 2025 arc. He began the season with the Chicago White Sox on a minor league deal and was released before he could debut in the majors for them. Over three MLB seasons prior to his Chicago stint, he struggled with the bat, posting a .166 batting average and 50 home runs across 313 games with the Yankees, Dodgers, Twins, and Nationals.
The peak of Gallo’s playing career came between 2019 and 2021, when he earned two All-Star selections in three seasons, hitting 70 home runs in 280 games and recording an .828 OPS during that period. While his best years were with power numbers, his overall major-league scoring line dipped afterward, prompting a search for a new path.
Pitching is not entirely new to Gallo. He spent his high school days on the mound, and his earlier standout season earned him Nevada’s Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year honors in 2012, after posting a 1.85 ERA with 17 strikeouts in just over 11 innings for Bishop Gorman High School.
Whether his high school success translates to a sustainable MLB pitching career remains uncertain. Still, his recent year of pitching-focused development has captured the attention of several front offices, suggesting a genuine consideration of a major league role change.
Would you prioritize a proven MLB slugger with a new pitching angle, or view Gallo’s bid as a long shot worth monitoring through spring training? Share your thoughts in the comments.
