Sean Gallagher

by John Sickels on Aug 22, 2007 2:38 PM EDT in News Comment 18 comments

Some shots of Sean Gallagher from yesterday's Iowa Cubs game.

His command was giving him trouble and he looked a bit tired in the hot/humid weather, but I was impressed with the quality of his stuff: fastball at 89-93, curveball with a nice break, usable changeup. Full scouting report on the Iowa/Memphis games will be sent to Newsletter subscribers tomorrow.

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Just 3 years out of high school

Gallagher is one of the most underrated prospects in baseball right now. My question is why?

If I had to guess, it's because he doesn't make the radar gun smile.

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by jonpyardi on Aug 22, 2007 2:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Guilt by Assoc.

What have Cubs pitchers done for us lately?

I like Gally, but maybe folks just think that he's part of an underwhelming Cubs' system.

by cooper7d7 on Aug 22, 2007 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anti-Cub Bias

That's because the vast majority of posters on this site have a huge bias against any and all of the Cubs' prospects. Even putative Cubs' fans here love to nitpick and quibble and generally look for every conceivable reason not to like a guy as well. Any high school or college prospect is instantly looked upon with derision no matter their tools, productivity or talent. Mahalo

Matt

I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it.

by WayneCampbell05 on Aug 22, 2007 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sure that it's Cub bias

but as a Cub fan I'd agree that the system is somewhat underwhelming considering Gallagher is the best the system has to offer and he projects as no more than a middle of the rotation starter.

by Jason22 on Aug 23, 2007 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Big fan of Gallagher

I agree, I think he's terribly underrated. Is he going to be a frontline pitcher? Probably not. But he looks like he could be a solid middle of the rotation type.

I've liked him since he got in the system, but I think there are several reasons that he's under the radar. First, his "drop" when he was drafted. Second, the fact that some people still might think of him as the same guy in Low A, when most accounts indicate his overall stuff has improved. Third, he doesn't have blow away stuff. Fourth, some may still remember the walk problems he had last year. Finally, the whole perspective on the Cubs system being one that creates a bunch of middle tier guys, guys lesser than him.

He's done a bit better since going to Iowa ... and it makes me wonder if he's done developing yet. That said, I think he'll be a starter in the bigs soon. The way the Cubs are currently setup, though, that might not happen in 2008. Personally, I would have him start 2008 at Iowa and continue developing as a starter. He could be called up if the situation dictated it for a pen role. Let him work some more and make 2009 his target year to take over a job.

by toonsterwu on Aug 22, 2007 7:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

We will surely see his first Big League start

In the comming month. With the Cubs rain make up with St. Louis taking away their only off day. You can pencil in a Gallagher start in Chicago. Especially if they open up the divison lead on Milwaukee.

by aaronb on Aug 23, 2007 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eh?

"Finally, the whole perspective on the Cubs system being one that creates a bunch of middle tier guys, guys lesser than him."

I wouldn't consider any of these guys "middle tier". All in the last 10 years:

Kerry Wood
Mark Prior
Dontrelle Willis
Jon Garland
Carlos Marmol
Rich Hill
Carlos Zambrano

There are 4 aces (Z, Prior, Wood, Willis), two #2 types (Hill, Garland) and a stud closer. I would think you would have a very hard time finding another system that has produced so many high level arms. Injuries and Trades have been terrible, but then it IS the Cubs after all.

Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.

by HuskerBob on Aug 23, 2007 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

In the last couple of years

There's been a general public feeling that the Cubs produce few high tier talent and a lot more mid-tier guys. Will Carroll made comments to that effect as well.

The issue is value, and it's hard to disagree with that. Much as I'm a huge fan of Marmol (and I still wish he would get a look as a starter before committing him to the pen, although that doesn't seem like it'll happen), he was never thought of a high level guy, partially due to the change he had to make in the low minors. Rich Hill always evoked mixed emotions. Personally, I think some Cubs fans overrated him in thinking he was a front of the rotation type. I think he's a good mid-tier type.

Wood, Prior, Willis, Garland are from the previous era.

You look at our systems the last few years, and there have been few high level, up and comers types. The few that we had, some of them fizzled. Pawelek seems stuck, and Dopirak bottomed out (finally ... he didn't deserve the initial promotion, IMO). Veal's gone through a lot of issues this year.

What we've had, from a positive perspective, are these mid-tier (value wise) types that have done well and progressed within the system. And we've got some more on the way. Gallagher looks like middle of the rotation type. Atkins has had his positives this year and could be a mid-end of the rotation type. Sam Fuld looks like a poor man's version of Reggie Willits to me ... which isn't as bad as it sounds in some respects. Eric Patterson has some useful tools ... although where is a big issue. Geovany Soto looks like, at worst, a decent backup backstop, and maybe he is maturing. Petrick's worked his way back, we've got some pen arms that are intriguing.

That said, the current Daytona roster looks largely to be a wasteland (a couple intriguing guys), and our Iowa/Tennessee rosters aren't that great. In terms of high end guys, I'm looking more at Peoria/Boise for some hope.

by toonsterwu on Aug 24, 2007 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

the whole point

"The issue is value, and it's hard to disagree with that. Much as I'm a huge fan of Marmol (and I still wish he would get a look as a starter before committing him to the pen, although that doesn't seem like it'll happen), he was never thought of a high level guy"

Marmol was underrated as a prospect. Marmol's stuff has never been mid-tier.

"Rich Hill always evoked mixed emotions. Personally, I think some Cubs fans overrated him in thinking he was a front of the rotation type."

Sorry but considering the numbers he has posted over the last two years: 253 IP, 215 hits, 235 K its a fair argument to say he's a front of the rotation type, although, like I said I consider him a #2 and its pretty tough to see how he is not.

Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.

by HuskerBob on Aug 24, 2007 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Aces

Dontrelle Willis is an ace in what universe?

by GregJP on Aug 24, 2007 7:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

22-10, 2.63 ERA

Ring a bell?

Talk about a "what have you done for me lately" comment. His performance the last two seasons would say he's not an ace now, but then are you going to say Wood and Prior were not aces either based on their last two seasons?

Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.

by HuskerBob on Aug 24, 2007 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Landing

His landing spot for his front foot is about a foot to he left of his back foot. That is probably making him open up too soon, thus the control problems.

by DrBGiantsfan on Aug 22, 2007 11:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Disagree

The shot is not from right behind the plate. John is up the third base line in this set of pictures. Gallagher actually strides a bit closed if you have ever seen him in person.

Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.

by HuskerBob on Aug 23, 2007 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Landing foot

It appears to me that his foot is pointed to the right of home as well, making him even more closed.

by drwmsu1 on Aug 23, 2007 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes

If John is up the 3B line, that is probably true as Gallagher is facing directly at him when winding up.

by DrBGiantsfan on Aug 23, 2007 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

judging by the last shot, if john is right behind the plate, that pitch is going to be a bit outside

by wily mo on Aug 24, 2007 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

At the Game

I was at the I-Cub yesterday, too. Gallagher was fun to watch. 88-92 mph, mixing it up, and battling throughout. Randy Keisler was the Redbird pitcher and held his own, even though his stuff didn't impress.

by rocknrobin on Aug 22, 2007 11:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Frame 3

Is the only one I really gather much from. (I prefer side shots when evaluating mechanics)

His stride foot is down, his hips are starting to open and his front shoulder is still closed, although it appears he's about to open a little early, which is confirmed in my mind in frame 4 when it appears his release is a little short of his stride length (again side shot is better). I think mechanically he's been worse in his big league stints, overthrowing.

I don't see control being an issue long term and I don't consider his minor league walk numbers awful, being a 21 year old at AAA walking 3 to 4 a game. I think his big league numbers reflect a kid that's not ready and rushing it to the plate, big surprise there.

Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.

by HuskerBob on Aug 23, 2007 10:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs