Texas Rangers’ Joey Gallo takes home Joe Bauman Trophy

Sep 30, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Members of the Texas Rangers look out from the dugout in the 9th inning of the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rangers Ballpark at Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Congratulations go out to the Texas Rangers’ prospect Joey Gallo for taking home the Joe Bauman Trophy, awarded by Musco Sports Lighting for hitting the most home runs in minor league baseball.

The Las Vegas native slugged his way (mostly) through the South Atlantic League, hitting .245/.334/.610 with 38 home runs for the Hickory Crawdads in 446 plate appearances. Gallo also blasted a pair of home runs in the Arizona Rookie League (in 21 plate appearances) to round his season total off at 40 dingers.

Only 20 years old, Gallo is in his second season of professional baseball after having been selected in the first round (39th overall) in 2012. Gallo isn’t just a one-dimensional hitter; he had a walk rate of 10.8%, hit 23 doubles and five triples and stole 15 bases in 16 attempts. Gallo is also working on his defense at third base and, despite his good arm (he’s been reported to be able to hit upwards of 96 mph on the radar gun as a pitcher in high school), he may not end up at third in the long run.

Gallo, ranked as the Rangers #5 prospect by MLB.com, is off to a great start to his professional career and could be the next Chris Davis.