Gallo joining White Sox on Minor League deal

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The White Sox agreed to terms on a Minor League contract with outfielder/first baseman Joey Gallo. The non-roster invite for the left-handed hitter brings Chicago's Spring Training camp total to 70 players, with 72 from last Spring Training being the team record.

Gallo, 31, slashed .161/.277/.336 over 223 at-bats with the Nationals last season, knocking out 10 home runs with 27 RBIs to go with 102 strikeouts and 32 walks. He finished with 38 homers between the Rangers and Yankees in 2021 and has 208 long balls for his career. The Las Vegas native has played for five teams over his 10-year career and hit 40 or more homers during each of the 2017-18 seasons with the Rangers.

“We like what he does defensively at first base,” White Sox manager Will Venable said of Gallo. “Obviously, a ton of power with Joey. And we feel like there's some stuff with him that we can get him back to who he was.

“Just a great athlete. Another guy that I played with there for a hot second, so I really like Joey and happy to have him.”

In 2024, Gallo played 59 games at first base, nine in right field and two in left. Venable said Gallo primarily would be looked at as a first baseman.

“He's a really good defender all the way around. So that versatility will help his opportunity, but primarily, the focus will be at first base,” Venable said. “We've been kind of consistent across the board with everyone that there's opportunity here.

“How that manifests, we'll find out as we get closer. But absolutely, there's opportunity for him, and we just have to get through this thing and see how it all shakes out.”