Gallo and an unexplored topic

[Twins GFP]

If/until they trade Max Kepler (not convinced yet he will be gone), I am wondering if your opening day lineup will look something like this:

Buxton CF
Miranda 3B
Correa SS
Polanco 2B
Gallo 1B
Gordon LF
Kepler RF
xxxxxxx  DH
Vazquez  C

Gallo has something like 96 games at 1B (along with 92 at 3B) though it has been a few years since he played there.  Not a lot has been said about his positional flexibility on defense.  I am curious how much traction this might get with Arraez gone and fairly large question marks with the other potentials at 1B.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

10 minutes ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

If/until they trade Max Kepler (not convinced yet he will be gone), I am wondering if your opening day lineup will look something like this:

Buxton CF
Miranda 3B
Correa SS
Polanco 2B
Gallo 1B
Gordon LF
Kepler RF
xxxxxxx  DH
Vazquez  C

Gallo has something like 96 games at 1B (along with 92 at 3B) though it has been a few years since he played there.  Not a lot has been said about his positional flexibility on defense.  I am curious how much traction this might get with Arraez gone and fairly large question marks with the other potentials at 1B.

His only value is in outfield defense.

[Lonestar]

I agree Gallo gets a lot of value from his OF defense. Falvey made a big deal of Gallo's positional flexibility, mentioning CF, 1B, and even 3B. Sounds like Boras speaking.

Gallo's perceived flexibility is worth a lot given the uncertainties regarding Kirilloff and Lewis. Admittedly their uncertainties are different as to nature and extent, but it seems many posters disregard those uncertainties. Falvine don't disregard them.

Since signing Gallo, they looked into Michael Taylor and Ramon Laureano. Taylor makes me think they are not sold on Nick Gordon (or rather that they might sell high on Gordon, like they did with Arraez). Laureano's acquisition seems like it would logically precede trading Kepler. Laureano could backup CF for 3 years, making Gordon very expendable.

[Parfigliano]

59 minutes ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

His only value is in outfield defense.

He might chip in 20+ home runs

[August J Gloop]

2 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

He might chip in 20+ home runs

Seems likely, since he hit 19 last year in a career worst season. 

But they're more likely to see Gordon at first in that scenario, since Gallo is better in the outfield than Gordon. No sense playing two guys at less than optimal positions when you can get away with one. And this assumes AK's wrist is still junk. Otherwise, he'll be at first and Gordo on the bench. 

[Twins GFP]

3 hours ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

His only value is in outfield defense.

That's a pretty narrow statement.  I agree that Gallo's best defensive value comes in the outfield, but that is most assuredly not the "only" reason they signed him.

He is only 28.  Positional flexibility, power... Two years ago he had an OPS+ of 121.  He should see a huge benefit from the shift change rules.  There is a lot of potential here.  

[Cris E]

It's an odd number year, Gallo is going to be fine!  

Seriously, if Gallo is at first it means we're not playing who we expected to for reasons of injury or poor performance. A pox on such thoughts this close to Pitchers and Catchers. If Kirilloff can't go then you'd likely be seeing an actual infielder over there, probably Miranda with a better glove taking over at third. 

[IndianaTwin]

I also think Gallo will age well. 

[Rosterman]

Who bats leadoff? I would rather see Buxton batting 3rd, Miranda 4th. I worry about Gallo striking out too much...Kirilloff 5th. Polanco leadoff, I guess...unless we think Kepler will come abck strong without the shift!

[lecroy24fan]

I'd hit Buxton leadoff. Get him as many AB's as possible. If Gallo gets in a groove he's solid in the middle of the lineup. 

[Brandon]

my guestimated lineup:

CF:  Buxton

SS: Correa

2B: Polanco

3B: Miranda

LF: Gallo

1B:  Killeroff

DH: Larnarch

RF: Kepler

C Vazquez / Jeffers

Bench is Farmer IF and Gordon OF and Garlick OF/ DH

If Kepler is traded for prospects then Gordon plays RF and bats leadoff and everyone else in the lineup slides down a spot.  Killeroff could swap out with Gallo and possibly Miranda once he shows he is healthy and hitting.  

[Richie the Rally Goat]

10 hours ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

That's a pretty narrow statement.  I agree that Gallo's best defensive value comes in the outfield, but that is most assuredly not the "only" reason they signed him.

He is only 28.  Positional flexibility, power... Two years ago he had an OPS+ of 121.  He should see a huge benefit from the shift change rules.  There is a lot of potential here.  

It is a narrow statement. He has a narrow skill set.
 

Last year was a terrible year even though his K rate was only slightly elevated and BB rate only slightly below his career averages. Aligned close enough, that seeing his HR/FB drop in the Manfred Ball era would make me pessimistic about the value he can bring with the stick. The shift ban doesn’t help on flyballs.

Unless Gallo suddenly gets the Judge treatment, he’s a 4th outfielder defensive replacement 

[Brad.dahlen]

Here's my guess at a lineup - not sure if they are facing a LH or RH opening day. 

Buxton CF

Polanco 2B

Correa SS

Gallo LF

Miranda 3B

Kiriloff 1B

Wallner DH

Vasquez C

Kepler RF

Bench - Gordon, Jeffers, Farmer, Larnach?

[DJL44]

I would like to see Miranda playing at 1B. I think 3B is going to be where they play Lewis when he is healthy.

[August J Gloop]

2 hours ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

It is a narrow statement. He has a narrow skill set.
 

Last year was a terrible year even though his K rate was only slightly elevated and BB rate only slightly below his career averages. Aligned close enough, that seeing his HR/FB drop in the Manfred Ball era would make me pessimistic about the value he can bring with the stick. The shift ban doesn’t help on flyballs.

Unless Gallo suddenly gets the Judge treatment, he’s a 4th outfielder defensive replacement 

I think you missed a huge one. His career babip is .257. Which is low, so he's an actual shift victim. But his babip in 2022 was .219. Added terrible luck.

The strikeouts are an issue, but Gallo is a guy who's played his whole career under extreme shift pressure. A game where getting 100+ EV barrels were worse than a strikeout, since it would end up as a DP. 

Perhaps a change in D can change his game. He doesn't have to reduce his approach to a slap hitter, just reduce strikeouts by say 10% over last year. That would only be a 6% improvement over his career average.

I do predict that the shift ban will last maybe two seasons with scores getting into the 20s routinely. But I could be wrong. I just think hitting is so far ahead of pitching.  So much easier to simulate and practice.

 

[stringer bell]

10 hours ago, Brandon said:

my guestimated lineup:

CF:  Buxton

SS: Correa

2B: Polanco

3B: Miranda

LF: Gallo

1B:  Killeroff

DH: Larnarch

RF: Kepler

C Vazquez / Jeffers

Bench is Farmer IF and Gordon OF and Garlick OF/ DH

If Kepler is traded for prospects then Gordon plays RF and bats leadoff and everyone else in the lineup slides down a spot.  Killeroff could swap out with Gallo and possibly Miranda once he shows he is healthy and hitting.  

Gordon hasn’t played right much at all. He would be in left with Gallo in right. 

[Twins GFP]

1 hour ago, August J Gloop said:

I think you missed a huge one. His career babip is .257. Which is low, so he's an actual shift victim. But his babip in 2022 was .219. Added terrible luck.

The strikeouts are an issue, but Gallo is a guy who's played his whole career under extreme shift pressure. A game where getting 100+ EV barrels were worse than a strikeout, since it would end up as a DP. 

Perhaps a change in D can change his game. He doesn't have to reduce his approach to a slap hitter, just reduce strikeouts by say 10% over last year. That would only be a 6% improvement over his career average.

I do predict that the shift ban will last maybe two seasons with scores getting into the 20s routinely. But I could be wrong. I just think hitting is so far ahead of pitching.  So much easier to simulate and practice.

 

People think the shift ban is only about ground balls.  OF placement was a huge part of this, with the 2B playing rover in the OF.

Gallo's numbers were down last year.  His walk rate rose from 1/5.4 to 1/7.3 AB.  Slugging down 100 points, OBP down 80 points.  I have written about this in other places, Gallo and Kepler are two of the biggest candidates to be helped by the shift ban.

Gallo is not your 4th OF.  He will be starting and probably batting 5th.  There is also a good probability he will see some time at 1B as well, unless our young guys show something.

[Parfigliano]

1 hour ago, August J Gloop said:

I think you missed a huge one. His career babip is .257. Which is low, so he's an actual shift victim. But his babip in 2022 was .219. Added terrible luck.

The strikeouts are an issue, but Gallo is a guy who's played his whole career under extreme shift pressure. A game where getting 100+ EV barrels were worse than a strikeout, since it would end up as a DP. 

Perhaps a change in D can change his game. He doesn't have to reduce his approach to a slap hitter, just reduce strikeouts by say 10% over last year. That would only be a 6% improvement over his career average.

I do predict that the shift ban will last maybe two seasons with scores getting into the 20s routinely. But I could be wrong. I just think hitting is so far ahead of pitching.  So much easier to simulate and practice.

 

Scores into the 20's seems way high even for both teams combined.

[Doctor Gast]

15 hours ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

That's a pretty narrow statement.  I agree that Gallo's best defensive value comes in the outfield, but that is most assuredly not the "only" reason they signed him.

He is only 28.  Positional flexibility, power... Two years ago he had an OPS+ of 121.  He should see a huge benefit from the shift change rules.  There is a lot of potential here.  

I don't see Gallo that much better than Gordon & I see Gordon better in CF. IMO Gallo's greatest value comes as 1B insurance on Kiriloff, if his wrist isn't 100% at least until Julien is ready to make that jump.

[ashbury]

5 hours ago, Brad.dahlen said:

Here's my guess at a lineup - not sure if they are facing a LH or RH opening day.

The Twins open at Kansas City. The Royals' best pitcher last year was Brady Singer, a righty.  Many factors could affect opening day but for guessing purposes today I'd go with that.

[AlwaysinModeration]

2 hours ago, ashbury said:

The Twins open at Kansas City. The Royals' best pitcher last year was Brady Singer, a righty.  Many factors could affect opening day but for guessing purposes today I'd go with that.

I’m quietly marking down a W in my scorebook as we speak.

[Cornholio]

10 hours ago, DJL44 said:

I would like to see Miranda playing at 1B. I think 3B is going to be where they play Lewis when he is healthy.

I agree 3b is probably the best spot for Lewis, but I think Miranda will be much improved. Having a good friend and mentor in Correa at short will no doubt help. Without Correa, I would be worried about Miranda at 3rd.

[AstrosTwins]

Buxton - DH

Polonco - 2B

Correa - SS

Miranda - 3B

Gallo - RF

Vazquez - C

Kirllioff - 1B

Taylor - CF

Larnach - LF

Vazquez is a good hitting catcher who makes contact. He’ll hit .270 give or take. Needs to hit higher in the order, not 8 or 9 like typical catchers. Taylor near the bottom gives you some speed on the bases as the lineup turns over. 

[USAFChief]

10 hours ago, August J Gloop said:

I do predict that the shift ban will last maybe two seasons with scores getting into the 20s routinely. But I could be wrong. 

 

You're way wrong.

 

Orders of magnitude wrong.

 

Baseball wasn't invented in 2015. 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

What about batting Buck 1st and letting Kep  bat second so he could ground the ball on a two hopper to 2B after Buck has stolen 2B, thus advancing Buck to 3B?  LOL.  I will be very interested to see where Gallo bats. I propose Gallo bat low in the batting order.  Do you realize that there is no other major league team with 4 outfielders rated as good defensively as the Twins now have with Gallo , Buck, Kep and Taylor?  That is a true OF when nothing drops but the rain. Too bad only 3 can play at a time in the OF.