SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Texas Rangers summoned top prospect Joey Gallo from Double-A Frisco in June when third baseman Adrian Beltre went on the disabled list with a sprained left thumb. Two weeks later, Gallo enjoyed an out-of-body experience when he launched a 439-foot home run off Clayton Kershaw at Dodger Stadium.
Gallo filed away more than just the memory of that ball clearing the fence and the ensuing trot around the bases. In the clubhouse before the game, he was watching Louisiana State University play in the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, and it dawned on him how fate can work in mysterious ways.