Arlington, TX – The Texas Rangers today announced the launch of Joey Gallo’s Academy Athletes of the Month, a new initiative by outfielder Joey Gallo to recognize outstanding young athletes from the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy at Mercy Street Sports Complex, Presented by Toyota. 

Each month from May through August, Academy coaches will select one female 12U participant and one male 12U participant who stood out, demonstrating great sportsmanship and character.

The Joey Gallo Academy Athletes of the Month will meet Gallo during batting practice at a game at Globe Life Park, receive a Joey Gallo Academy Athlete t-shirt, and an autographed baseball. Honorees will also be recognized during a pre-game presentation that night.

“I am very pleased to be doing this program with the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy,” said Gallo. “I trained at the Academy during much of this past off-season and was able to see the great impact that this facility has on young athletes in so many ways. I’m looking forward to meeting the monthly winners throughout the season.”

The first ever Joey Gallo’s Academy Athletes of the Month will be recognized Friday, May 31 prior to the Rangers 7:05 p.m. contest with the Kansas City Royals.

Angel Gomez and Rihanna Ramirez have been named recipients of the first award.

Gomez participated in the local round of the Jr Home Run Derby at the Academy on May 3, winning the 12U age group to advance to the regional round of competition. The sixth grader at Uplift Heights also plays on the Academy’s 12U wood bat team.

Ramirez, who attends Inspired Vision Academy, was the overall champion in 12U softball at the sectional round of the Scott’s Pitch Hit & Run Competition hosted at the Academy on May 11.

Future Joey Gallo Academy Athletes of the Month will be honored on:

•          Friday, June 21

•          Saturday, July 13

•          Saturday, August 17