Joey Gallo Announces Unconventional Career Shift to Pitching After White Sox Release

The former All-Star outfielder, known for his power and high strikeout rate, plans to pursue pitching as his next step in professional baseball.

Joey Gallo, 31, announced his intention to transition from outfielder to pitcher after being released by the Chicago White Sox following a poor spring training performance.
Gallo, a two-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner, struggled offensively in recent years, batting just .100 in spring training and .161 during the 2024 season with the Nationals.
Despite never pitching professionally, Gallo has a history of strong throwing ability, ranking in MLB's 90th percentile for arm strength as recently as 2022.
The White Sox granted Gallo's release after he expressed his desire to explore pitching, a move that aligns with recent trends of position players transitioning to the mound.
Gallo follows other former position players, such as Anthony Gose and Tyler Naquin, who successfully or recently attempted similar pitching transitions.