Callis On Gallagher

[BeerHere]

Sean Gallagher is 8-2, 2.39 combined between high Class A Daytona and Double-A West Tenn, and he isn't getting much hype. Do you see him developing into a front-of-the-rotation starter, or more of a No. 4 or 5?

 

Justin Montminy

Aurora, Ill.

 

At first glance, Gallagher may seem to be just continuing the success he had at low Class A Peoria last year, going 14-5, 2.71 in his first full season after signing as a 12th-round pick out of a Florida high school in 2004. But his stuff actually has improved across the board.

 

While Gallagher's 2005 season was very impressive for a 19-year-old, I wasn't completely sold on him as a prospect. The reports I had on him said his 88-90 mph fastball and changeup were fringe-average pitches. He showed a plus curveball at times, but at others his breaking ball was loopy. He tailed off in the second half of the Midwest League season, and he wasn't very projectable at 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds.

 

Yet Gallagher has found more fastball velocity this year, regularly working at 90-93 mph. His changeup also has become more reliable. And he does have a legitimate curveball, as the bigger and slower version is just a get-me-over pitch he uses to keep hitters off balance. Though he has battled his command more than usual, he's pitching well in Double-A at age 20. I think he can become a No. 3 starter, and I wouldn't have said that a year ago.

[CubsWin]

Sean Gallagher is 8-2, 2.39 combined between high Class A Daytona and Double-A West Tenn, and he isn't getting much hype. Do you see him developing into a front-of-the-rotation starter, or more of a No. 4 or 5?

 

Justin Montminy

Aurora, Ill.

 

At first glance, Gallagher may seem to be just continuing the success he had at low Class A Peoria last year, going 14-5, 2.71 in his first full season after signing as a 12th-round pick out of a Florida high school in 2004. But his stuff actually has improved across the board.

 

While Gallagher's 2005 season was very impressive for a 19-year-old, I wasn't completely sold on him as a prospect. The reports I had on him said his 88-90 mph fastball and changeup were fringe-average pitches. He showed a plus curveball at times, but at others his breaking ball was loopy. He tailed off in the second half of the Midwest League season, and he wasn't very projectable at 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds.

 

Yet Gallagher has found more fastball velocity this year, regularly working at 90-93 mph. His changeup also has become more reliable. And he does have a legitimate curveball, as the bigger and slower version is just a get-me-over pitch he uses to keep hitters off balance. Though he has battled his command more than usual, he's pitching well in Double-A at age 20. I think he can become a No. 3 starter, and I wouldn't have said that a year ago.

That's a beautiful thing.

 

I've got Rich Hill and Sean Gallagher as the next two pitchers I can see contributing to a Cubs rotation for a good stretch of time.

 

Its possible to lose Wood and Maddux next season and have a rotation of Zambrano, Prior, Hill, Marmol and Marshall with Gallagher on the cusp. But if the Cubs want to compete for a playoff berth, I would much prefer to see Zito added to that bunch with possibly one other veteran in the mix.

 

How about Zambrano, Prior and Zito with Marmol, Hill, Marshall, Gallagher and a 5th starter quality veteran battling it out for the final two spots. I could live with that.

 

2007 may be a bit early for Sean, but then again, it may not...

[Magnetic Curses]

Sean Gallagher is 8-2, 2.39 combined between high Class A Daytona and Double-A West Tenn, and he isn't getting much hype. Do you see him developing into a front-of-the-rotation starter, or more of a No. 4 or 5?

 

Justin Montminy

Aurora, Ill.

 

At first glance, Gallagher may seem to be just continuing the success he had at low Class A Peoria last year, going 14-5, 2.71 in his first full season after signing as a 12th-round pick out of a Florida high school in 2004. But his stuff actually has improved across the board.

 

While Gallagher's 2005 season was very impressive for a 19-year-old, I wasn't completely sold on him as a prospect. The reports I had on him said his 88-90 mph fastball and changeup were fringe-average pitches. He showed a plus curveball at times, but at others his breaking ball was loopy. He tailed off in the second half of the Midwest League season, and he wasn't very projectable at 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds.

 

Yet Gallagher has found more fastball velocity this year, regularly working at 90-93 mph. His changeup also has become more reliable. And he does have a legitimate curveball, as the bigger and slower version is just a get-me-over pitch he uses to keep hitters off balance. Though he has battled his command more than usual, he's pitching well in Double-A at age 20. I think he can become a No. 3 starter, and I wouldn't have said that a year ago.

That's a beautiful thing.

 

I've got Rich Hill and Sean Gallagher as the next two pitchers I can see contributing to a Cubs rotation for a good stretch of time.

 

Its possible to lose Wood and Maddux next season and have a rotation of Zambrano, Prior, Hill, Marmol and Marshall with Gallagher on the cusp. But if the Cubs want to compete for a playoff berth, I would much prefer to see Zito added to that bunch with possibly one other veteran in the mix.

 

How about Zambrano, Prior and Zito with Marmol, Hill, Marshall, Gallagher and a 5th starter quality veteran battling it out for the final two spots. I could live with that.

 

2007 may be a bit early for Sean, but then again, it may not...

 

a rotation of:

 

zambrano

schmidt

prior

marmol

hill

 

would make me very happy. but they need to let hill pitch, like they've done with marshall. i think hill's much better than marshall and will make the better big leaguer anyway.

[CubsWin]

Sean Gallagher is 8-2, 2.39 combined between high Class A Daytona and Double-A West Tenn, and he isn't getting much hype. Do you see him developing into a front-of-the-rotation starter, or more of a No. 4 or 5?

 

Justin Montminy

Aurora, Ill.

 

At first glance, Gallagher may seem to be just continuing the success he had at low Class A Peoria last year, going 14-5, 2.71 in his first full season after signing as a 12th-round pick out of a Florida high school in 2004. But his stuff actually has improved across the board.

 

While Gallagher's 2005 season was very impressive for a 19-year-old, I wasn't completely sold on him as a prospect. The reports I had on him said his 88-90 mph fastball and changeup were fringe-average pitches. He showed a plus curveball at times, but at others his breaking ball was loopy. He tailed off in the second half of the Midwest League season, and he wasn't very projectable at 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds.

 

Yet Gallagher has found more fastball velocity this year, regularly working at 90-93 mph. His changeup also has become more reliable. And he does have a legitimate curveball, as the bigger and slower version is just a get-me-over pitch he uses to keep hitters off balance. Though he has battled his command more than usual, he's pitching well in Double-A at age 20. I think he can become a No. 3 starter, and I wouldn't have said that a year ago.

That's a beautiful thing.

 

I've got Rich Hill and Sean Gallagher as the next two pitchers I can see contributing to a Cubs rotation for a good stretch of time.

 

Its possible to lose Wood and Maddux next season and have a rotation of Zambrano, Prior, Hill, Marmol and Marshall with Gallagher on the cusp. But if the Cubs want to compete for a playoff berth, I would much prefer to see Zito added to that bunch with possibly one other veteran in the mix.

 

How about Zambrano, Prior and Zito with Marmol, Hill, Marshall, Gallagher and a 5th starter quality veteran battling it out for the final two spots. I could live with that.

 

2007 may be a bit early for Sean, but then again, it may not...

 

a rotation of:

 

zambrano

schmidt

prior

marmol

hill

 

would make me very happy. but they need to let hill pitch, like they've done with marshall. i think hill's much better than marshall and will make the better big leaguer anyway.

I couldn't agree more...

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Sean Gallagher is 8-2, 2.39 combined between high Class A Daytona and Double-A West Tenn, and he isn't getting much hype. Do you see him developing into a front-of-the-rotation starter, or more of a No. 4 or 5?

 

Justin Montminy

Aurora, Ill.

 

At first glance, Gallagher may seem to be just continuing the success he had at low Class A Peoria last year, going 14-5, 2.71 in his first full season after signing as a 12th-round pick out of a Florida high school in 2004. But his stuff actually has improved across the board.

 

While Gallagher's 2005 season was very impressive for a 19-year-old, I wasn't completely sold on him as a prospect. The reports I had on him said his 88-90 mph fastball and changeup were fringe-average pitches. He showed a plus curveball at times, but at others his breaking ball was loopy. He tailed off in the second half of the Midwest League season, and he wasn't very projectable at 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds.

 

Yet Gallagher has found more fastball velocity this year, regularly working at 90-93 mph. His changeup also has become more reliable. And he does have a legitimate curveball, as the bigger and slower version is just a get-me-over pitch he uses to keep hitters off balance. Though he has battled his command more than usual, he's pitching well in Double-A at age 20. I think he can become a No. 3 starter, and I wouldn't have said that a year ago.

That's a beautiful thing.

 

I've got Rich Hill and Sean Gallagher as the next two pitchers I can see contributing to a Cubs rotation for a good stretch of time.

 

Its possible to lose Wood and Maddux next season and have a rotation of Zambrano, Prior, Hill, Marmol and Marshall with Gallagher on the cusp. But if the Cubs want to compete for a playoff berth, I would much prefer to see Zito added to that bunch with possibly one other veteran in the mix.

 

How about Zambrano, Prior and Zito with Marmol, Hill, Marshall, Gallagher and a 5th starter quality veteran battling it out for the final two spots. I could live with that.

 

2007 may be a bit early for Sean, but then again, it may not...

 

a rotation of:

 

zambrano

schmidt

prior

marmol

hill

 

would make me very happy. but they need to let hill pitch, like they've done with marshall.

 

yesyesyesyesyesyes

 

Use Marshall in a deal to get an OF bat(DeJesus and/or Hawpe/Cuddyer would be ideal).

[NorthsideAvenger]

would make me very happy. but they need to let hill pitch, like they've done with marshall. i think hill's much better than marshall and will make the better big leaguer anyway.

 

I like Hill, but I disagree. Marshall is 3 yrs younger, and hadn't pitch too many innings over AA, and has relatively pitched well considering. Hill is 26 FRIGGIN yrs ago, and has proven that he is a GREAT AAA pitchers, but a medicre ML career so far. If the Cubs can move Hill, they'd be wise to.

[weather2]

I wouldn't obsess over age with a pitcher, especially a college pitcher. Age is a much better predictor for hitters. Its not like Rich has spent the last 3 years bouncing between the majors and minors.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I wouldn't obsess over age with a pitcher, especially a college pitcher. Age is a much better predictor for hitters. Its not like Rich has spent the last 3 years bouncing between the majors and minors.

 

I agree.

 

I also think it's not a good idea to judge their big league careers by comparing their brief minor league careers.

 

I do think Marshall will be better big leaguer because (over the course of their minor league careers) he has better control, gives up fewer HRs and has better stuff than Hill.

[TruffleShuffle]

I wouldn't obsess over age with a pitcher, especially a college pitcher. Age is a much better predictor for hitters. Its not like Rich has spent the last 3 years bouncing between the majors and minors.

 

I agree.

 

I also think it's not a good idea to judge their big league careers by comparing their brief minor league careers.

 

I do think Marshall will be better big leaguer because (over the course of their minor league careers) he has better control, gives up fewer HRs and has better stuff than Hill.

 

I think Rich Hill's raw stuff is better... his control is obviously not, though.

[CubsWin]

I wouldn't obsess over age with a pitcher, especially a college pitcher. Age is a much better predictor for hitters. Its not like Rich has spent the last 3 years bouncing between the majors and minors.

 

I agree.

 

I also think it's not a good idea to judge their big league careers by comparing their brief minor league careers.

 

I do think Marshall will be better big leaguer because (over the course of their minor league careers) he has better control, gives up fewer HRs and has better stuff than Hill.

 

I think Rich Hill's raw stuff is better... his control is obviously not, though.

It is at AAA.

 

Which, to me, means that it can be at the major league level as well so long as the reason for his poor control in the bigs is purely mental.