Rangers notes: No plans to move Gallo, third baseman of the future
Rangers manager Jeff Banister considers it an interesting proposition.
The idea of moving star prospect Joey Gallo from third base to another position to give him more options to break into the big leagues sooner has been a hot topic among fans.
But Banister pretty much closed the door on the idea Thursday morning.
“We’re going to concentrate on Joey being a third baseman,” Banister said. “That’s what he is. Look, that’s where he’s comfortable. That’s what we feel he is as an organization.”
More important, Banister said, was to have Gallo only concerning himself with one position during his first major league spring training. Gallo, 21, has been shadowing Adrian Beltre, trying to learn from the future Hall of Famer.
Gallo, who MLB.com ranks as one of the top-10 prospects in the minors, spent some time in the outfield and at first base during the fall instructional league, but Banister said he has no plans to put that on Gallo’s plate this spring.
“For me it was important for a young guy to come to spring training to play the position, be a part of a position on an everyday basis that he’s been playing since he got into pro ball,” he said. “He’s been a third baseman. He is a third baseman.”
Gallo has flashed a steady glove in the field after a few early errors. He’s turned in some stellar plays, too, showing impressive range for a player his size (6-foot-5, 230 pounds). He leads the team with two homers this spring and is tied for the lead with six RBIs with a .280 batting average. A sign of improvement is only four strikeouts in 25 at-bats. He also has two stolen bases.
“This is a special cat. Let’s understand he’s done some really nice things this spring. He’s looked really good to this point,” Banister said. “His at-bats have been aggressive and under control. He’s trying to be that bully in the box and he’s learning every single day.
“The retention of him as a baseball player is exceptional, but there are still things that this young man needs to work on. We want Joey to be able to play at the major league level seeking greatness when he gets to the big leagues and there’s a process by which that needs to happen.”
Banister in Surprise
Banister would have enjoyed visiting San Antonio this weekend, but he wanted to stay in Arizona to get some more looks at key players vying for spots on the 25-man roster.
Plus, he said, being in his first year, he felt more needed at the Surprise complex where he could continue to monitor how things are being run at both the major league and minor league levels.
The Rangers play the Dodgers on Friday night and Saturday afternoon at the Alamodome. They’ll also play split-squad games in Surprise against the Mariners and Brewers.
Most veterans on the roster, including all the established pitchers, are staying in Surprise. The only definite starters headed to San Antonio are shortstop Elvis Andrus, second baseman Rougned Odor and center fielder Leonys Martin. They’re all likely making the trip because of missed time.
Martin was the last player to arrive in camp and Andrus missed a week with a sore left knee. Odor hasn’t missed any time but the club wants he and Andrus to get as much game time playing together as possible.
“[I needed to see] the players that are staying back, the arms that are staying back,” Banister said. “Also being a first-year manager, I want to keep a close eye on all the things that we’re doing here, not only with the major league team but on the minor league side and try to be as involved as I possibly can.”
Banister also liked the idea of allowing bench coach Steve Buechele and other coaches, including pitching coach Mike Maddux, to get a chance to run the show.
“That would be a tremendous trip and a great place to go to and be part of, but it’s also an opportunity for Steve Buechele and the coaching staff that’s going out there to run a major league team,” he said. “I feel confident in everything they’re going to do to carry on everything we’re doing here.”
Banister said he expects to have several B games over the weekend to get as many players in different situations as possible.
Briefly
▪ RHP Yu Darvish is expected back in Surprise on Friday to resume his post-Tommy John surgery rehab.
▪ RHP Ross Ohlendorf (groin) feels better but has yet to throw a bullpen session.
▪ OF Delino DeShields has worked a little at second base, Banister said. DeShields came up in the Astros’ system as a second baseman before moving to center field several years ago. “Don’t want him to lose that element,” Banister said. “The capability of playing in the outfield but also if we need him to play on the dirt, most definitely.”
Stefan Stevenson
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Twitter: @StevensonFWST
Friday’s games
▪ Mariners at Rangers, 3:05 p.m., Surprise Stadium
Rangers: LHP Derek Holland, RHP Jon Edwards, RHP Spencer Patton, LHP Alex Claudio, RHP Shawn Tolleson, RHP Neftali Feliz, RHP Juan Carlos Oviedo
Mariners: LHP Roenis Elias, RHP Yoervis Medina, LHP Joe Saunders
▪ Dodgers vs. Rangers, 7:05 p.m., Alamodome, San Antonio
TV: KTXA/21; Radio: KRLD/105.3 FM
Rangers: RHP Anthony Bass, RHP Ross Wolf, RHP Keone Kela, RHP Roman Mendez, RHP Phil Klein
Dodgers: LHP Erik Bedard
This story was originally published March 19, 2015 at 8:21 PM with the headline "Rangers notes: No plans to move Gallo, third baseman of the future."