Scouting Clayton Beeter, The Yankees’ Return For Joey Gallo

The Yankees are trading Joey Gallo to the Dodgers for Double-A righthander Clayton Beeter, according to a report from Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated. Given how badly Gallo has struggled this year, it’s a bit surprising to see the Yankees get anything of value in return here.

YANKEES RECEIVE

Clayton Beeter, RHP
Age: 23

Beeter ranked as the No. 15 prospect for the Dodgers on their midseason prospect list, though there’s still a good bit of rawness to his game for a Double-A pitcher. After having Tommy John surgery in high school, Beeter was a closer at Texas Tech who eventually moved into a starter role. The Dodgers have developed him as a starter, though his future is likely in a relief role. At 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, Beeter has innate feel to spin that shows up both on his fastball and breaking ball. Beeter’s fastball sits at 93-96 mph and reaches 98 with good carry up in the zone. With 88 strikeouts in 51.2 innings this year for a 36% strikeout rate, Beeter piles up most of his whiffs with his breaking balls, a power curveball and a harder, mid-80s slider. They both generate ample swing and miss and Beeter throws them as often as he throws his fastball. Despite his power stuff, Beeter also has a 5.75 ERA and 35 walks for 6.1 BB/9 this season, so he has to improve his below-average control. If he does, he could make his major league debut by next season.

DODGERS RECEIVE

Joey Gallo, OF
Age: 28

The last two seasons, Gallo has hit .186/.330/.420 in 889 plate appearances. He walks a lot (17%), he has massive raw power that has been his calling card forever and he drove Yankees fans bonkers with all off his empty swings, posting a 36% strikeout rate over that 2021-22 span. He’s a free agent after the season, so if there’s something the Dodgers see in Gallo that they think can help him turn things around, it will need to click soon.