During his peak years — although brief — few players showcased the ability to hit a towering home run like Joey Gallo. His swing was characterized by a combination of explosive violence and a distinctive uppercut, where he followed through with both hands, standing upright immediately after contact as if to affirm the ball was indeed crushed. This striking visual of his power-hitting prowess was a hallmark of what made him exceptional on the field.

These stunning home runs fueled one of the most unusual careers in modern baseball. In the midst of the Three True Outcomes era, Gallo emerged as its king, consistently threatening to dominate the league in key metrics such as walk rate, strikeout rate, or home runs each season. His ability to blend these outcomes made him a unique player, captivating fans and analysts alike.

However, the passage of time has presented challenges. Gallo’s once-prominent presence in the baseball world is now overshadowed by uncertainty. Recently, he signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox, a team that has recently experienced a record number of losses. This non-guaranteed deal suggests a pivotal moment in Gallo’s career, as he clings to the edge of his professional journey, striving to prove himself once more.

It feels premature for someone who is just 31 years old, an age often seen as prime for many athletes. Research from Tom Tango indicates that bat speed typically declines around this age, yet Gallo has always existed at the extremes of performance. In his remarkable 2019 half-season, which was unfortunately cut short by a broken hamate bone, he achieved an impressive .635 xwOBA on contact, a figure that has only been surpassed by the legendary Aaron Judge in the Statcast era.

At the height of his abilities, few outside of the greatest hitters in baseball history were capable of hitting the ball with the same ferocity as Joey Gallo. He combined that immense power with some of the league’s lowest chase rates, allowing him to maintain an on-base percentage that offset the traditionally low batting averages that frustrated many fans. His exceptional plate discipline enabled him to target mistakes in the strike zone, primarily fastballs and hanging sliders. Gallo’s swing was meticulously designed to capitalize on these pitches, and with a 70-grade batting eye, he could selectively avoid pitches on the edges of the zone. However, under two-strike conditions, he often struggled, resulting in a high likelihood of striking out.

In recent years, however, the downside of Gallo’s performance has overtaken his once-dominant power. Among those 2,865 player seasons, two of Gallo’s seasons rank at the top for the highest percentage of swings resulting in misses. His staggering 44.3% whiff rate in the 2023 season is notable, even as he managed to post an above-average wRC+.

Reflecting on his career trajectory, it’s evident that the decline began following his infamous trade to the Yankees in July 2021. At that time, Gallo was coming off what many considered his best month as a major leaguer, with a strikeout rate of only 25.3% while hitting 10 home runs. Unfortunately, after the trade, he struggled significantly, batting just .160, which turned him into a controversial figure among Yankees fans despite maintaining a 16.2% walk rate and his usual home run production. Following another disappointing season, the Yankees traded him to the Dodgers, where he experienced a further downturn, with strikeout rates plunging into the 40s for the first time.

After the 2022 season, Gallo entered free agency for the first time, and since then, various teams have made increasingly cautious investments in his potential to reclaim his former glory. His journey began with the Twins in 2023, who offered him $11 million for a single season. Subsequently, the Nationals signed him for $5 million, but he delivered his least impressive performance yet. Now, Gallo finds himself at a critical juncture in his career, facing an uphill battle to regain his standing in the sport.

The story of Gallo’s decline is complex and multi-faceted. As a powerful player known for his hard swings, the toll of his aggressive playing style has become apparent. Over the past two seasons, he has dealt with a variety of injuries, including a sprained shoulder, strained oblique, foot contusion, and two hamstring strains that kept him sidelined for nearly two months. Additionally, he even battled a case of pink eye. These physical challenges seem to be taking a toll, as evident in his unsteady stance in the batter’s box, where he frequently readjusts as if he is uncomfortable.

Perhaps due to this discomfort, Gallo’s primary tool, his bat speed, shows signs of decline. In the latter half of 2023, his average bat speed was recorded at 73.9 mph, placing him in the 84th percentile among hitters. This 2023 data is the first public record of his bat speed, and it stands to reason that at his peak, Gallo could have swung considerably faster, placing him among elite sluggers like Giancarlo Stanton and Kyle Schwarber.

Things took a further downturn for Gallo in 2024, as his average bat speed fell by 1.5 mph, bringing him closer to the league average of 71.3 mph. His once-stellar plate discipline appears to have shifted toward passivity, raising concerns about his ability to succeed moving forward. White Sox manager Will Venable has stated that Gallo will mainly play first base. As he embarks on this new chapter, Gallo’s future hinges on his ability to rediscover the power that once defined him as a player.

It’s conceivable that some of Gallo’s decrease in bat speed was a strategic choice; in 2023, he was among the lowest in terms of squared-up balls, and while that number improved slightly in 2024, the question remains. Gallo’s identity as a player is built around power, and if he compromises that for contact, it may not yield the desired results. Fans and teams alike hope to see him unleash his full potential once again, hitting home runs that electrify the crowd.

As noted by my editor Matt Martell, the White Sox have a history of attempting to rejuvenate aging sluggers. From the midseason acquisitions of Manny Ramirez and Ken Griffey Jr. to the signing of post-peak Andruw Jones, the team has seen various players come to the South Side with hopes of reigniting their careers.

However, unlike these past players, Gallo faces uncertainty regarding his place on the team, especially with Miguel Vargas out of minor league options. Yet, let’s entertain the possibility that Gallo embraces a rigorous offseason training regimen, perhaps even incorporating yoga, as many players do to declare they are in the best shape of their lives. Imagine a scenario where he posts a .190 average, a 35% strikeout rate, and 30 home runs while securing a consistent spot in the lineup against right-handed pitchers. Gallo is undeniably one of the most unique and fascinating players in the game today, and many are hopeful for one last resurgence in his career.