Oneri mentions that Gallagher could start at AA next Spring.

[UK1679666180]

If Sean has a solid performance down at Fitch, he'll likely start at AA.

 

I'd rather see him start at Daytona get 10 starts under his belt and see how he handles the very important jump from Peoria to Daytona.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

Wow. I know he is has good mound presence and is mature for his age but I didn't expect this. Hopefully he pitches well to finish out the season so he can take on the Southern League.

[Outshined_One]

Everyone's been saying that he's an incredibly mature and developed prospect for some one his age, so maybe him seeing AA next season would be justified and beneficial.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Seeing AA sometimes next season is one thing, starting the year there is another. I'm with UK, I'd like to see him have a little success at Daytona first.

[Chris]

Interesting that he would make that comment. In regards to other guys the discussion has always been that they would be moved as they are ready. I know that when we have asked guys about their future they comment on how they know nothing and just take things one day at a time.

[TruffleShuffle]

Did he also mention that Eric Patterson could start the season in Chicago? :D

[Laura]

Interesting. Wonder if they considered promoting him to Daytona earlier than they did this past season.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

By the way, how did you hear about this UK? I trust you and all but I am just curious.

[craig]

Interesting comment. Fleita is super-gush, so no harm in him giving an optimistic spin. Also not a bad idea for Gallagher, who's perhaps fitness challenged. If he's got a shot for AA, perhaps he'll be more motivated to stay fit this winter, whereas if Daytona is a lock, what's the urgency?

 

Gallagher seems very bright, and his control is pretty good. I think he's a guy who might benefit from AA. He might perhaps learn more from getting knocked around a bit than by having a solid start in high-A?

 

Also, everybody likes young guys. If you're trying to build a guy up to be a good trade value, that might work better if he's always age-impressive relative to his league?

 

Anyway, Gallagher may be young, but he seems to know how to pitch. He may be better prepared to skip a level than most others.

[Laura]

One of the early good impressions Gallagher made last ST was showing up in great shape after having hired a trainer for the off-season. His father seems to be actively supporting his baseball career, so hopefully the same follow-through will occur this off-season ... and extra motivation wouldn't hurt.

 

If he were to end up starting in Daytona, I'm hoping he'll earn his way to AA before too long. I do want to see him take on some more advanced hitters.

[UK1679666180]

Also not a bad idea for Gallagher, who's perhaps fitness challenged. If he's got a shot for AA, perhaps he'll be more motivated to stay fit this winter, whereas if Daytona is a lock, what's the urgency?

 

Craig, you'll be interested to know that the Cubs told him "to rest" for the next months. I asked if they had plans to put him on an off-season throwing program as well as a conditioning program and they told him just to rest.

[rawaction]

Let him dominate Florida for a month and a half, then see what he can do in AA. I agree that he could probably pitch extremely well in AA. There's really no rush. He'll be there sometime next year regardless.

[UK1679666180]

Plus, Sean needs to improve his change. I think with his advanced FB and curve, he would be better off improving his change at High-A rather than AA. He hit 95 on the gun (sitting in the low 90s), according to his agent.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

I didn't think that he threw that hard. (hitting 95)

[craig]

Craig, you'll be interested to know that the Cubs told him "to rest" for the next months. I asked if they had plans to put him on an off-season throwing program as well as a conditioning program and they told him just to rest.

 

Yes, I am indeed interested, and puzzled, by that. To rest from throwing and to stay off an off-season throwing program, that I can understand. But to "rest" rather than to be one a fitness/conditioning program, that I don't understand. What risk would that have? And what's gained by "resting" and getting fat? Curious.

 

I don't think the comment that he "hit 95" is that surprising, particularly from his agent. If a guy works at 87-92, at some point during the season he'll have touched 95 on one pitch or another. And if he normally works in the 87-92 range, an agent is obviously going to talk up the higher end of that. People always refer to the higher rather than the lower end of the ranges.

 

I think the idea of developing his change makes total sense. Perhaps cutter as well. But whatever the agent may have said, and regardless if he has touched 95 once, most observers don't seem to read him as a guy with an overpowering fastball. He's going to need to locate/finesse his way if he's going to have a big career. Mastering the change is essential.

 

Perhaps especially so if he wants to have a good attack against LH hitters. With neither a cutter nor a quality change, I'd guess that LH hitters could give him some trouble down the road. I'd like to see one or both of those two pitches become an effective tool for him.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

Just so you know, he said that he doesn't have a cutter and those reports that he was working on were false.

[craig]

Just so you know, he said that he doesn't have a cutter and those reports that he was working on were false.

 

I know, and recall being pretty disappointed. A lot of RHP have good success in low-A, where there aren't all that many dangerous LH hitters. But the higher the level, it seems the more enriched lineups are in good-hitting lefties. In the majors, you need to have a good way to attack them.

 

Perhaps Gallagher already has a good way.

 

But it's often common for a RH curveballer to have problems with lefties, if he doesn't either have an effective change or an effective cutter. I assume Gallagher will pursue the typical Cub way, which is to have the standard fastball/breaker/change.

 

But a cutter might be an option, especially in the event that the change doesn't become as excellent as needed.

[Athletics36]

Newbie to this site and wanted to say hello. Wanted to let you know that Sean has been back in the gym for the past few weeks and will continue up to Spring Training. Sean is lucky that we have a hospital that has a sports conditioning facility that is used by MLB. Sean has on occasions worked out with "AJ Burnett" and other well known players who live in the area during the offseason. I have to give a shout out to his two trainers "tony and bruce" who have helped Sean greatly.

Sean had a fantastic season last year but he knows that this is a new year and its up to him as to where he ends up next season. I must say that Peoria was a great place for him to start being a small town feel and the people were great. This was a learning experience for him being his first time away from home and living out of a suitcase. Sean also had a time where he got lazy and complacent and was roughed up luckily he had a pitching coach "TP" who took no crap. TP and Sean figured out his mechanics and Sean finished the season strong. Sean also knows that he needs to work on his change-up this offseason and will also say that Sean has a "nasty slider" that the Cubs Organization would not allow him to throw this season. Sean threw a lot of innings this season 145 and when you take into account bullpens and other stuff it was wise of the Cubs to tell him to rest.

[CUBZ99]

Newbie to this site and wanted to say hello. Wanted to let you know that Sean has been back in the gym for the past few weeks and will continue up to Spring Training. Sean is lucky that we have a hospital that has a sports conditioning facility that is used by MLB. Sean has on occasions worked out with "AJ Burnett" and other well known players who live in the area during the offseason. I have to give a shout out to his two trainers "tony and bruce" who have helped Sean greatly.

Sean had a fantastic season last year but he knows that this is a new year and its up to him as to where he ends up next season. I must say that Peoria was a great place for him to start being a small town feel and the people were great. This was a learning experience for him being his first time away from home and living out of a suitcase. Sean also had a time where he got lazy and complacent and was roughed up luckily he had a pitching coach "TP" who took no crap. TP and Sean figured out his mechanics and Sean finished the season strong. Sean also knows that he needs to work on his change-up this offseason and will also say that Sean has a "nasty slider" that the Cubs Organization would not allow him to throw this season. Sean threw a lot of innings this season 145 and when you take into account bullpens and other stuff it was wise of the Cubs to tell him to rest.

 

Thanks for the report :D Sean had a great year, everyone I knew that went to a Chiefs and saw him pitch came away impressed.

 

Do you know whether the Cubs are going to allow him to throw the Slider again? Is it something that they are worried about his mechanics or is it an organizational policy?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Newbie to this site and wanted to say hello. Wanted to let you know that Sean has been back in the gym for the past few weeks and will continue up to Spring Training. Sean is lucky that we have a hospital that has a sports conditioning facility that is used by MLB. Sean has on occasions worked out with "AJ Burnett" and other well known players who live in the area during the offseason. I have to give a shout out to his two trainers "tony and bruce" who have helped Sean greatly.

Sean had a fantastic season last year but he knows that this is a new year and its up to him as to where he ends up next season. I must say that Peoria was a great place for him to start being a small town feel and the people were great. This was a learning experience for him being his first time away from home and living out of a suitcase. Sean also had a time where he got lazy and complacent and was roughed up luckily he had a pitching coach "TP" who took no crap. TP and Sean figured out his mechanics and Sean finished the season strong. Sean also knows that he needs to work on his change-up this offseason and will also say that Sean has a "nasty slider" that the Cubs Organization would not allow him to throw this season. Sean threw a lot of innings this season 145 and when you take into account bullpens and other stuff it was wise of the Cubs to tell him to rest.

 

Welcome to the forum!!

[Chris]

Newbie to this site and wanted to say hello. Wanted to let you know that Sean has been back in the gym for the past few weeks and will continue up to Spring Training. Sean is lucky that we have a hospital that has a sports conditioning facility that is used by MLB. Sean has on occasions worked out with "AJ Burnett" and other well known players who live in the area during the offseason. I have to give a shout out to his two trainers "tony and bruce" who have helped Sean greatly.

Sean had a fantastic season last year but he knows that this is a new year and its up to him as to where he ends up next season. I must say that Peoria was a great place for him to start being a small town feel and the people were great. This was a learning experience for him being his first time away from home and living out of a suitcase. Sean also had a time where he got lazy and complacent and was roughed up luckily he had a pitching coach "TP" who took no crap. TP and Sean figured out his mechanics and Sean finished the season strong. Sean also knows that he needs to work on his change-up this offseason and will also say that Sean has a "nasty slider" that the Cubs Organization would not allow him to throw this season. Sean threw a lot of innings this season 145 and when you take into account bullpens and other stuff it was wise of the Cubs to tell him to rest.

 

Welcome to the forum!!

 

Agreed, welcome! Thanks for the great info!

[Athletics36]

Just to get back on the question about Sean and his slider. It was the organizations decision about this pitch due to the torque it puts on the arm. There was an article last season by somebody in the Organization that until they mature physically and their recent troubles with young pitchers they not use this pitch. This isn't to say that maybe Sean threw it a few times this year but yes he still throws it during his bullpens for practice.

[UK1679666180]

I'm glad Sean was somewhat disappointed with BA's ranking of him when they list the Cubs top 30. Hopefully, he'll use it as motivation given his age and performance at Peoria. Personally, I have him pegged between 5-10 and not 12-15 where BA will likely put him.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Newbie to this site and wanted to say hello. Wanted to let you know that Sean has been back in the gym for the past few weeks and will continue up to Spring Training. Sean is lucky that we have a hospital that has a sports conditioning facility that is used by MLB. Sean has on occasions worked out with "AJ Burnett" and other well known players who live in the area during the offseason. I have to give a shout out to his two trainers "tony and bruce" who have helped Sean greatly.

Sean had a fantastic season last year but he knows that this is a new year and its up to him as to where he ends up next season. I must say that Peoria was a great place for him to start being a small town feel and the people were great. This was a learning experience for him being his first time away from home and living out of a suitcase. Sean also had a time where he got lazy and complacent and was roughed up luckily he had a pitching coach "TP" who took no crap. TP and Sean figured out his mechanics and Sean finished the season strong. Sean also knows that he needs to work on his change-up this offseason and will also say that Sean has a "nasty slider" that the Cubs Organization would not allow him to throw this season. Sean threw a lot of innings this season 145 and when you take into account bullpens and other stuff it was wise of the Cubs to tell him to rest.

 

Welcome to the forum!

[Athletics36]

Sean and I both know its nice to get all the articles written and have folks talk about you but as for the rankings there nice but he takes them with a grain of salt. We don't know what BA personally has against him but "oh well" he uses whatever they say about him as motivation.