| Zac Gallen | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Gallen with theMiami Marlins in 2018 | |
| Arizona Diamondbacks – No. 23 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1995-08-03)August 3, 1995 (age 29) Somerdale, New Jersey, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 20, 2019, for the Miami Marlins | |
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 53–37 |
| Earned run average | 3.29 |
| Strikeouts | 885 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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Zachary Peter Gallen (born August 3, 1995) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher for theArizona Diamondbacks ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He playedcollege baseball for theNorth Carolina Tar Heels for three seasons before being drafted by theSt. Louis Cardinals in the third round of the2016 MLB draft.
Gallen was traded to theMiami Marlins in 2017 and made his MLB debut with the team in 2019. He was traded to the Diamondbacks midway through the 2019 season. In 2023, he was named the starting pitcher for theNational League in theAll-Star Game and helped the Diamondbacks reach the2023 World Series.
Gallen was born on August 3, 1995, inSomerdale, New Jersey,[1] to Jim and Stacy Gallen.[2] When he was five years old, he refused to playtee-ball with his peers, instead demanding to playLittle League Baseball with the Somerdale team; Gallen was taken in the third round of the Little League draft by his[3] father's team and would play with children between seven and nine years old.[4] At the age of 11, Gallen joined the Tri-state Arsenal Baseball Academy in New Jersey, where he served as apitcher andsecond baseman.[5]
Gallen attendedBishop Eustace Preparatory School inPennsauken Township, New Jersey, and theUniversity of North Carolina, where he playedcollege baseball for theNorth Carolina Tar Heels for three seasons.[6][7] After the 2014 and 2015 seasons, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theChatham Anglers of theCape Cod Baseball League.[8][9] During his junior year in 2016, he had a 4–3win–loss record with a 2.79earned run average (ERA) along with a .231batting average against.[10][11]
TheSt. Louis Cardinals, the team for which Gallen had rooted growing up,[12] selected Gallen in the third round of the2016 Major League Baseball draft.[10][11] He made his professional debut with theGulf Coast Cardinals, posting a 1.86 ERA with 15 strikeouts in9+2⁄3 innings pitched. He started the 2017 season with thePalm Beach Cardinals and was later promoted to theSpringfield Cardinals andMemphis Redbirds.[13] He finished the 2017 season with a combined 10–8 record, a 2.93 ERA, and a 1.17 WHIP in 26 starts between all three clubs.[14]
On December 14, 2017, the Cardinals traded Gallen along withSandy Alcántara,Magneuris Sierra, andDaniel Castano to theMiami Marlins forMarcell Ozuna.[15] Gallen later speculated that the Cardinals traded him to the Marlins because he was reluctant to attend a winter workout camp.[16] He was a non-roster invitee to 2018 spring training.[17] He spent the season with theNew Orleans Baby Cakes, going 8–9 with a 3.65 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP in 25 starts.[18] He returned to New Orleans to begin 2019.[19]
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On June 20, 2019, the Marlins promoted Gallen to the major leagues.[20] He made his debut that night in a start versus the Cardinals, recording six strikeouts and giving up one earned run over five innings pitched.[21]
On July 31, 2019, the Marlins traded Gallen to theArizona Diamondbacks for shortstopJazz Chisholm Jr.[22] In eight starts for Arizona, Gallen was 2–3 with a 2.89 ERA in43+2⁄3 innings, striking out 53. In 2020, Gallen recorded 82 strikeouts in 72 innings. He also finished with an ERA of 2.75 and a 3–2 record.
Gallen returned to the Diamondbacks' rotation for2022. Starting with an August 2 win over theCleveland Guardians, he posted34+1⁄3consecutive scoreless innings before being named theNational League (NL) Pitcher of the Month for August.[23] The scoreless streak continued until a September 11 win over theColorado Rockies, totaling44+1⁄3 innings. It brokeBrandon Webb's club record of 42, achieved in2007, and is the seventh-longest in major league history. During the streak, Gallen produced six consecutive games started without allowing a run, tying the major league record.[24] Gallen won theNL Player of the Week Award for the week of August 29 – September 4[25] and theNL Pitcher of the Month Award for August.[26] For the 2022 season, Gallen went 12–4 with a 2.54 ERA and 192 strikeouts in 184 innings. He finished fifth inNL Cy Young voting.[27][28]
On January 13,2023, Gallen agreed to a one-year, $5.6 million contract with the Diamondbacks, avoiding salary arbitration.[29] He was named NL Player of the Week for the week of April 10–16.[30] He was named to the2023 MLB All-Star Game.[31] Gallen pitched sixno-hit innings in Game 5 of the2023 World Series, but Arizona lost the series.[32] For the 2023 season, Gallen went 17–9 with a 3.47 ERA and 220 strikeouts in 210 innings. He finished third in NL Cy Young voting.
On January 11,2024, Gallen agreed to a one-year, $10 million contract with the Diamondbacks, avoiding salary arbitration.[33] On May 31, the Diamondbacks placed Gallen on the 15-day injured list due to a right hamstring strain.[34] He made his return on June 29, when pitched six scoreless innings vs. theOakland Athletics and only allowing one hit. It was Gallen’s fifth career start of 6+ innings and one hit or fewer, and his second of 2024.[35] For the 2024 season, Gallen went 14–6 with a 3.65 ERA and 156 strikeouts in 148 innings.
On January 9,2025, Gallen agreed to a one-year, $13.5 million contract with the Diamondbacks, avoiding salary arbitration.[36]
