Gallo shows off arm in left-field foray

Rangers No. 1 prospect (No. 10 overall) Joey Gallo played the outfield for the first time as a professional on Monday night, and he delivered a highlight-reel play in his very first opportunity.

Typically a third baseman, the 6-foot-5, 230-pound Gallo started in left field for Double-A Frisco. In the second inning, he fielded a line drive off the wall and threw a one-hop bullet to second to cut down Midland's Renato Nunez, who was trying to stretch a single into a double. Gallo also cleanly handled two consecutive fly balls in the fifth inning for his only two chances.

The 21-year-old Gallo has only played seven games away from third base in his professional career -- all at first base last year.

The Rangers are likely looking for ways to eventually get Gallo's bat in the lineup in Texas, where All-Star Adrian Beltre is locked in at third and signed through 2016.

Whatever his position, Gallo's bat is tough to ignore. He's hitting .316/.442/.592 with four homers and 15 RBIs in 22 games since missing the first two weeks of the season after undergoing offseason foot surgery. The Rangers' supplemental first-round pick in 2012, Gallo has back-to-back seasons of 40 or more home runs and has gone deep 108 times in 318 career Minor League games.