Joe Gatto

Joseph John Gatto (born June 14, 1995) is an American former professional baseball pitcher.

Amateur career Gatto attended St. Augustine College Preparatory School in Richland, New Jersey, and pitched for the school's baseball team.

Professional career Los Angeles Angels The Los Angeles Angels selected him in the second round of the 2014 MLB draft and he signed with the Angels, receiving a $1.2 million signing bonus. Gatto split his professional debut season of 2014 between the Arizona League Angels and the Orem Owlz, going a combined 2–1 with a 5.33 ERA and 16 strikeouts over 27 innings. He spent the 2015 season with Orem, going 2–3 with a 4.31 ERA and 38 strikeouts over innings. Gatto spent the 2016 season with the Burlington Bees, going 3–8 with a 7.03 ERA and 54 strikeouts over 64 innings. Gatto split the 2017 season between Burlington and the Inland Empire 66ers, going a combined 8–9 with a 3.43 ERA and 101 strikeouts over innings.

Gatto did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He became a free agent on November 2, 2020.

Texas Rangers On December 3, 2020, Gatto signed a major league contract with the Texas Rangers. On March 22, 2021, Gatto was outrighted off of the 40-man roster. Gatto split the 2021 season between the Frisco RoughRiders of the Double-A Central and the Round Rock Express of the Triple-A West, going a combined 5–3 with a 3.32 ERA and 69 strikeouts over innings. Gatto became a free agent following the season.

Philadelphia Phillies On December 14, 2021, Gatto signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. In 28 appearances for the Triple–A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, he struggled to a 3–0 record and 6.62 ERA with 45 strikeouts across 34 innings pitched. Gatto was released by the Phillies organization on July 24, 2022.