Yovani Gallardo Stats & Scouting Report

IP	1816
ERA	4.064
WHIP	1.366
BB/9	3.519
SO/9	7.85

Full name Yovani Gallardo
Born 02/27/1986 in Penjamillo, Mexico
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Green B. Trimble Technical
Debut 06/18/2007
Drafted in the 2nd round (46th overall) by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2004 (signed for $725,000).

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Gallardo struck out 25 in a March victory against Fort Worth crosstown rival North Side High, but scouts were shaking their heads because he needed 11 innings and 148 pitches to do so. His workload has been more reasonable since, easing concerns about the co-outstanding pitcher at the Perfect Game/Baseball America World Wood Bat Championship last October. Six-foot-2 and 180 pounds, Gallardo uses a strong leg drive to launch 91-94 mph fastballs, and his three-quarters breaking ball is a plus pitch at times. On the season, he went 5-4, 1.38 and struck out 143 in 61 innings. He has committed to Texas Christian but is expected to sign as an early second-rounder.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The Brewers thought they had something special when they made Gallardo a second round pick and signed him for $725,000 in 2004, but he has exceeded expectations with his meteoric rise through the system. In 2006, he established himself as one of the game's elite pitching prospects. He began the season in the high Class A Florida State League and spent the second half dealing in the Double-A Southern League, ranking as the No. 2 prospect in both circuits behind Reds righthander Homer Bailey. Gallardo led the minor leagues in strikeouts (188), finished third in ERA (1.86) and strikeouts per nine innings (10.9) and pitched a scoreless inning for the World Team in the Futures Game. Gallardo has Mexican ancestry but grew up in Texas and signed out of Trimble Tech High in Fort Worth. He struck out 25 in an 11-inning game as a senior, and scouts weren't happy that his coach left him in for 148 pitches, but he has been healthy and durable in pro ball. With so many of their best pitching prospects breaking down or failing in the majors in recent years, Gallardo gives the Brewers something to get excited about. Gallardo features a fastball that he consistently throws at 90-94 mph with armside run and sink, and he can reach back and get a little extra juice when he needs it. His sharp-breaking curveball is the best in the system, and his 85-89 mph slide became a plus pitch in 2006. His changeup has cutting action and continues to improve, and he'll throw it in any count. Beyond his impressive pure stuff, Gallardo shows savvy by adding and subtracting from his pitches and varying their looks to keep hitters off balance. He'll change arm slots at times to give hitters yet something else to think about and repeats his delivery easily, giving him strong command of his pitches. His poise on and off the field is something that can't be taught, especially considering his youth. There's not much not to like about Gallardo. His frame might look a little soft, but he has a loose, easy delivery. Some observers think he can be too laid-back, but the Brewers say he's just quiet by nature and competes well without making a big show of it. Pitchers who use a drop-and-drive delivery like Gallardo does can elevate their pitches if they don't stay on top of them, but that's not an issue with him. He keeps the ball down in the zone and gave up just six homers in 155 innings last year. After Gallardo moved up to Double-A Huntsville and had no problems making the adjustment, the Brewers began speculating about his arrival in the majors. He's likely to start 2007 with Triple-A Nashville, though it's not completely out of the question that he could make the big league rotation with a strong showing in spring training. Already ahead of schedule, he's young enough to allow more time to mature. Barring injury, it's going to be difficult to hold him back for long. Gallardo will challenge Ben Sheets for the designation as Milwaukee's No. 1 starter in the near future.
Gallardo committed to Texas Christian, which hoped to use him as a two-way player, but the Brewers and a $725,000 bonus persuaded him to sign. He thrived in the tandem-starter system at low Class A West Virginia, winning his final eight decisions (all starts). Only Mark Rogers has better stuff in the organization. Gallardo pounds the strike zone with an 89-93 mph fastball that touches 96 with boring action and life down in the zone. He repeats his drop-and-drive delivery well, enabling him to command his fastball, and he can throw his curveball, slider and changeup for strikes. His low-80s slider is at times a plus pitch. The Brewers describe Gallardo's demeanor as quietly intense, while others have chided him as too laid-back. Drop-and-drive pitchers tend to elevate their stuff at times, but he has such downward life on his fastball that it hasn't been a problem. Gallardo's progress in the second half and in instructional league has the Brewers projecting him as a No. 2 starter in the mold of Mike Mussina. He's more polished than Rogers and will join him in high Class A in 2006.
The Brewers were excited that Gallardo, who rang up 25 strikeouts in an 11-inning high school game in March, was still on the board in the second round last June. A talented athlete who was a terrific soccer player in high school, Gallardo attracted scouts with a live arm and athleticism. Signed for $725,000, he has a 91-94 mph fastball that already reaches 96, a power curveball and an improving change. Scouts also love his strong, projectable frame and the poise he shows on the mound. The Brewers were so impressed with his performance in his debut that they promoted him to low Class A as an 18-year-old. Gallardo was invited to instructional league to work on his mechanics and sharpen his delivery, but he couldn't stay for the duration because of an illness in his family. Though he'll still be a teenager, he should be able to earn a full-season assignment with a good spring training.

Minor League Top Prospects

One year after finishing runner-up to Reds righthander Homer Bailey on two league prospect lists, Gallardo reaches the top for his dominant turn in the PCL. He made just 13 starts for Nashville before making his major league debut with the Brewers in mid-June, and he slid into the rotation for good one month later. Gallardo earns raves for his poise and composure almost as much as for his stuff. When he gets hit, he doesn't get rattled. But command of his emotions is just half the equation. Gallardo gets ahead of both righthanded and lefthanded batters with a 90-94 mph fastball that he keeps off the barrel of the bat and on the ground. He shows advanced feel, changing speeds on his fastball and his sharp-breaking curveball. He also has an average slider and a changeup he'll go to in any count. "He's a real power arm--plus fastball, plus-plus curveball--with the ability to reach back for extra when he gets in trouble and get nasty," Albuquerque pitching coach Rich Gale said. "He can reach back and get 95 when he has to. And he's a good hitter, too--a good athlete."
Gallardo showed what can happen when a prospect with quality stuff also knows how to pitch. He went a combined 11-5, 1.86 between the FSL and Double-A, leading the minors with 188 strikeouts in 155 innings. Gallardo's stuff is special enough. He throws a 92-93 mph fastball that peaks at 95 with armside run and sink, and he also features a plus slider and a useable changeup. What sets him apart from most pitchers is his ability to stay one step ahead of hitters. He reads swings well and knows how to add and subtract velocity to keep batters' timing off. Perhaps most important, he seems to be at his best every time he takes the mound. "Just his ability to get going and keep going stood out." Jupiter manager Tim Cossins said. "He never feels for anything. He's always on. He had his best stuff every night, really good stuff with command." Gallardo's command was impeccable. While his fastball is clearly his best pitch, he was also able to throw his slider and change at any point in the count. His changeup could be an out pitch itself, as it has cutting action and was much improved from 2005.
The minor league strikeout leader with 188 in 155 innings, Gallardo has a repertoire similar to Bailey's. His fastball is a tick slower, but Gallardo still pounds the zone at 91-94 mph. He has the ability to reach back for more with his four-seamer, topping out at 96 when he needs it. While he may not have as much velocity as Bailey, Gallardo has more pitches he can rely on. His hammer curveball has outstanding late life, his 85-89 mph slider became a plus pitch this season and his changeup grades out as average. Polished for his age, Gallardo varies his arm slot at times, changing looks while locating all four pitches for strikes. He repeats his drop-and-drive delivery well and has a solid, durable frame. "He and Bailey are very similar in terms of build and delivery," Carolina pitching coach Rich Gale said, "and they both have video-game curveballs."
Neither Rogers nor Gallardo, Milwaukee's first two picks in this year's draft, won a game in their professional debuts, but no one in the Brewers organization was disappointed. Gallardo pitched impressively in limited duty, allowing only one earned run in six starts while compiling a 23-4 strikeout-walk ratio. "He's more polished than Rogers. He throws more strikes," Guerrero said. "But all his stuff is a little too hard. He just needs to add and subtract a little better, but that will come with experience." Gallardo flashed three effective pitches, including a lively fastball that ranged from 89-94 mph. He also had good deception in his delivery.