Joey Gallo was the New York Yankees’ premier trade deadline acquisition, even ahead of Anthony Rizzo, because the latter is slated to hit free agency after the season and the former is under control for 2022 as well.
Gallo is seen around the league as a talented defensive outfielder with huge power and an impressive ability to take walks and get on base despite an extremely low batting average.
The Yankees knew the risks and brought him in, which was the correct decision, especially considering that they didn’t really surrender any top prospects in exchange for their man.
He was, after all, hitting .223/.379/.490 with 25 home runs and a .869 OPS with the Texas Rangers at the moment of the trade.
With the Yankees, Gallo has already had game-saving catches and home runs, so it hasn’t been all that rough as a whole.
However, he is really struggling at the moment, and it’s already starting to be reflected in his full season stat line.
A Very Rough Slump
Over his last seven games, the lefty slugger is 1-for-25 with 13 strikeouts.
That accounts for a .040/.200/.160 line.
Taking the sample to his last 15 games, Gallo is slumping all the way to a .096/.266/.250 line, striking out in half of his plate appearances.
Things are not particularly better in his last 30 games: .135/.302/.346 with six homers, but 53 strikeouts.
As a member of the Yankees, Gallo is at .130/.291/.325 with six dingers and 61 punchouts.
His OPS is a meager .617 as a member of the Bronx Bombers, when we know it usually is way higher.
Gallo’s slumps are ugly because his already low batting average seems even lower.
However, he never ceases to get on base thanks to his elite batting eye, and he contributes very good defense and surprisingly good athleticism.
All in all, even when he struggles, he finds ways to justify his presence in the field.
The Yankees Should Stick With Gallo Despite His Struggles
The Yankees have no choice but to keep writing his name in the lineup card day in and day out.
He is a premier source of power and walks, and there is nobody on the roster with his kind of ceiling.
Manager Aaron Boone shouldn’t make the mistake of reducing his playing time just because he is in an extended rut.
Slumps are part of the game, especially for a player with contact issues like Gallo.
Joey Gallo says he’s just going to continue to work to get himself out of this funk. Says he understands the boos and that they’re not getting to him. Took early work today to get back into some things he was doing at the plate prior to his slump. #Yankees
— Brendan Kuty (@BrendanKutyNJ) September 7, 2021
The player, however, remains a tweak or two away from going on a monster barrage of power for a few games and busting out of his slump.
Even at his worst, Gallo has proven capable of being a .800+ OPS player most of the time.
The Yankees, additionally, can always use his power potential in their stadium’s short porch.
One can understand lowering Gallo in the batting order until he proves he is over his slump, but benching him shouldn’t be an option.
The #Yankees sit struggling Joey Gallo today. He is hitting just .130 since joining the Yankees with 61 strikeouts in 123 at-bats.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 7, 2021
Remember that this is a player who will be relied upon heavily next time as well, and despite his size, he really improves the outfield defense.
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