Track Record: Gallegos signed with the Yankees out of Mexico in 2011 and reached the majors six years later, pitching out of the Yankees' bullpen in both 2017 and 2018. The Cardinals acquired Gallegos and fellow reliever Chasen Shreve from the Yankees at the July 2018 trade deadline.
Scouting Report: Gallegos comes after hitters with a 94-96 mph fastball that plays plus with downhill angle and tailing action. He pairs his heater with an plus, 83-85 mph power curveball that sometimes looks like as a slider because he manipulates the shape and spin of the pitch. He also has a below-average changeup he'll mix in against lefties. A former starter, Gallegos is capable of going multiple innings. He pounds the strike zone--sometimes too much as he leaves pitches over the plate that get hit.
The Future: Gallegos will have a shot to win a spot in the Cardinals' bullpen in spring training. He's already 27, so the time is now to stake his claim.
A year after Yankees scout Lee Sigman plucked Manny Banuelos from Mexico, he signed Gallegos for $100,000 as one half of a package deal with righthander Luis Niebla, who was selected by the Rockies in the minor league portion of last year's Rule 5 Draft. After a brief cameo at Double-A Trenton in 2015, he returned to the level as the team's closer and turned into one of the system's most dominant relievers. He struck out 12.2 hitters per nine innings across 42 appearances at the system's upper levels. Gallegos' best pitch is his mid-90s fastball with excellent downhill angle and tailing action, but he had to be coaxed into throwing the pitch more often by Trenton pitching coach Jose Rosado. He couples the pitch with a low-80s curveball that flashes plus at times and a below-average changeup as his third pitch. The Yankees added Gallegos to the 40-man roster this offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, and he could make his big league debut at some point in 2017 in a relief role.
Career Transactions
RHP Giovanny Gallegos assigned to St. Paul Saints.
Minnesota Twins signed free agent RHP Giovanny Gallegos to a minor league contract.
St. Louis Cardinals released RHP Giovanny Gallegos.
St. Louis Cardinals designated RHP Giovanny Gallegos for assignment.
St. Louis Cardinals activated RHP Giovanny Gallegos from the 15-day injured list.
St. Louis Cardinals sent RHP Giovanny Gallegos on a rehab assignment to Springfield Cardinals.
St. Louis Cardinals sent RHP Giovanny Gallegos on a rehab assignment to Memphis Redbirds.
St. Louis Cardinals sent RHP Giovanny Gallegos on a rehab assignment to Memphis Redbirds.
St. Louis Cardinals sent RHP Giovanny Gallegos on a rehab assignment to Memphis Redbirds.
St. Louis Cardinals placed RHP Giovanny Gallegos on the 15-day injured list. Right shoulder impingement.
Mexico activated RHP Giovanny Gallegos.
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