July 2006: Q & A with Sean Gallagher

[Chris]

http://www.diamondjaxx.com/images/players/Gallagher.jpg

 

Sean Gallagher, 2006 Florida State League All-Star and pitcher for the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, has graciously agreed to answer questions from posters on NSBB! If you would like to ask him a question, feel free to post it here. The deadline for submitting questions is 12-noon on Friday, July 14. Once Sean has had an opportunity to answer them, the responses will be posted in the Chats Forum.

 

This session will be coordinated as in accordance with The NSBB Q & A Guidelines.

 

Thank you to Sean for once again taking the time to interact with us on such an up close and personal level. In addition, thank you to Serena, who will be completing this session on an upcoming trip to Jackson! As always, thanks to all of you for making NSBB such a wonderful community!

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Sean,

 

Thanks for taking the time. I've read somewhere that the criticisms of prospect ratings have helped to motivate you. Can you discuss that a little?

 

What other positions have you played besides pitcher?

 

What players have you admired growing up? In what ways have you tried to emulate them?

 

What advice would you give to a group of ten-year-olds about baseball? About life?

[Flames24Rulz]

Hey Sean!

 

I've heard and read reports that your velocity has went up significantly this season compared to last season. What exercises have you done to your arm that have helped you gain 4 or 5 miles per hour on your fastball in a little less than a year?

 

It also seems like you are getting better and better every start down in West Tenn. Is this because you are getting more comfortable with the batters down in the Southern League? What adjustments have you had to make to keep up with the hitters in Double-A compared to the hitters in the Florida State League?

 

Thanks, and best of luck the rest of the season!

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Thanks for taking the time to speak to us.

 

When going through the system of a National League club as a pitcher, is there any emphasis at all on hitting? It seems to me that an NL club would want their pitchers adept at handling a bat.

[CuseCubFan69]

Hey Sean!

 

What mental tips have the coaches given you about pitching in the minors?

 

Do you understand your own mechanics well enough to notice if you are dropping arm slot or shifting your weight too early to be able to correct yourself or are the coaches the ones that catch those types of breakdowns?

 

What do you do to keep yourself in shape during the season and in the off season?

 

If a train is leaving for Chicago from Tennessee at 80 MPH in 2007 do you want to be on it?

Edited July 9, 2006 by CuseCubFan69

[NCCubFan]

Thanks for taking our questions.

 

What is the biggest difference you've noticed between high-A and AA ball? Also, which did you find as the biggest adjustment: Going from Peoria to Daytona, or Daytona to West Tenn?

[Jon]

Sean,

 

Are the more secondary aspects of pitching emphasized any differently as you move up in the system. For example, does the pitching coach at Mesa ignore things like pickoff moves or defense and just focus on the basics?

 

How do you mentally react to walking someone? Does it fluster you at all? Do you place more of an emphasis on getting it over early in the following AB? Or do you treat it as like you would a base hit?

 

Thanks!

[Athletics36]

Hey Bud,

Just wanted to say "keep up the good work" but also wanted to ask about the differences between the hitters at High-A/AA. Do you have a pre-game routine that you follow before every game. What do you do in you off time in Jackson and what about having to swing the bat again. Well thats all I have for now but will pick your "brain" during the offseason. ttyl. :D