Gallo’s early power surge brings hope for big 2021 season

<p>SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. &mdash; Joey Gallo’s spent several spring trainings in Arizona so the Texas Rangers slugger knows the difference between a real homer and the cheap high fly balls that can drift out of the park in the forgiving desert air.</p>
<p>The 27-year-old says his power surge through the first two weeks of exhibition games is for real.</p>
<p>“It’s a different environment, it’s a different field,” Gallo said. “But for me, look, I know I have power. I know the balls that I’ve hit so far this spring would probably go out of Globe Life Field anyway.”</p>
<p>Gallo has hit an MLB-high five homers through his first seven games, giving the Rangers hope that he can bounce back from a tough 2020 season. The 6-foot-5, 250-pounder has always had an all-or-nothing approach that often ends in a homer, walk or a strikeout.</p>
<p>But in last year’s pandemic-shortened season, it was a lot more “nothing” than “all."</p>
<p>He finished with a .181 batting average and 10 homers which is one of many reasons the Rangers finished last in the AL West with a 22-38 record.</p>
<p>Gallo’s hoping to return to his 2019 All-Star form when he had a career-high .253 batting average and .389 on-base percentage. </p>
<p>He’s pleased with his start but also understands it only matters if it carries over into April.</p>
<p>“I wish these counted,” Gallo said. “That would be awesome, but they don’t.”</p>
<p>Here are a few other players who were impressive during the first two weeks of exhibition action.</p>
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<p>1B Matt Olson, Athletics: The Athletics slugger is much like Gallo in trying to bounce back from an uneven 2020 when he hit just .195, though he did have a team-high 14 homers. He’s had a good start with seven hits in his first 14 at-bats, including three homers and three doubles.</p>
<p>LHP Madison Bumgarner, Diamondbacks: The four-time All-Star had an encouraging first outing, striking out six batters over two innings while giving up one hit. The 31-year-old signed an $85 million, five-year deal with D-backs before last season but struggled in 2020 when he finished with a 1-4 record and a 6.48 ERA. Also encouraging: His fastball velocity was back in the 90-91 mph range after sitting in the high 80s for much of last year.</p>
<p>2B/SS/3B Nico Hoerner, Cubs: The versatile Hoerner can play just about anywhere and is looking like he might be ready to take a step forward offensively. Chicago’s 2018 first-round pick out of Stanford has nine hits in his first 13 at-bats, including three doubles and a homer. He could potentially be the team’s starting second baseman on opening day. </p>
<p>LHP Robbie Ray, Blue Jays: The 2017 All-Star had a tough time with his control last season — walking 45 batters in 51 2/3 innings — and was dealt at the trade deadline from Arizona to Toronto. He’s shown dominant stuff at different points throughout his career and struck out a career-high 235 batters in 2019. He’s looked closer to that version through two starts, striking out eight batters in 4 1/3 innings</p>
<p>2B Brendan Rodgers, Rockies: The third overall draft pick in 2015 has seven hits in his first 18 at-bats, including two homers, and looks like he might be able to seize the starting job at second base. The 24-year-old has been a top prospect for several years and hit .350 with nine homers in 2019 at Triple-A Albuquerque.</p>
<p>RHP Lance Lynn, White Sox: Chicago added the 33-year-old in an offseason trade and his first two starts have been solid. He’s given up no runs over 4 2/3 innings while striking out eight. The durable right-hander pitched an MLB-high 84 innings for the Rangers last season and had a 6-3 record with a 3.32 ERA.</p>
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<p>AP Baseball Writer Stephen Hawkins contributed to this report.</p>
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