Armando Galarraga Stats & Scouting Report

IP	542
ERA	4.782
WHIP	1.406
BB/9	3.753
SO/9	5.745

Full name Armando Antonio Galarraga
Born 01/15/1982 in Cumana, Venezuela
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 230 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Los Riscos
Debut 09/15/2007

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

After missing most of 2002 and 2003 with Tommy John surgery, Galarraga's workload increased dramatically in his next two seasons in the Nationals organization, and he was worn out when the Rangers acquired him as part of the Alfonso Soriano trade in December 2005. As a result, he pitched just 70 innings in 2006 while battling shoulder fatigue, but he bounced back with a 160-inning campaign in 2007, culminating in three big league appearances in September. Galarraga works at 89-94 mph with a fastball that he keeps down in the strike zone. His slider is an above-average pitch, and his changeup is an adequate third pitch. He made some adjustments last year to get more downhill plane on his fastball, as he gets into trouble when he leaves the pitch up. Galarraga's stuff is decent but not special, and he profiles as a No. 5 starter and swingman in the majors, though he'll likely head to the Triple-A rotation in 2008.
Acquired along with Brad Wilkerson and Terrmel Sledge in the December 2005 Alfonso Soriano trade, Galarraga was coming off a season in which he pitched 156 innings--46 more than his previous career high. A survivor of Tommy John surgery in 2002, he added another 50 innings in the Venezuelan Winter League, and the Rangers believe the heavy workload caught up with him in 2006. He struggled out of the gate in Double-A Frisco before Texas shut him down for nearly two months with shoulder fatigue. When Galarraga returned to action later in the summer, he once again showed a lively low-90s sinker that touches 94 and a plus slider that ranks as one of the best in the system. He also has shown some feel for a changeup, which he'll need to develop in order to stick as a starter. Otherwise, he has the power stuff and aggressive approach to succeed as a reliever. Galarraga could return to Double-A to start 2007 but should move quickly if he's fully healthy.
Brad Wilkerson was easily the biggest name the Rangers received when they traded Alfonso Soriano to the Nationals in December, but the inclusion of Galarraga gave Texas another promising arm. Because of 2002 Tommy John surgery, he pitched just 54 innings in his first three seasons in the United States. He stayed healthier once he began to take baseball more seriously in 2004, and he had his best year yet in 2005, earning a berth in the Futures Game and a promotion to Double-A. Galarraga has a lively 92-94 mph sinker and a hard, sharp slider that he can throw for strikes and use as an out pitch. He has a strong, athletic frame and attacks hitters from a three-quarters arm slot. He's competitive and shows a mean streak. For Galarraga to stick as a starter, he needs to complement his two plus offerings with a third pitch. He must continue to develop his changeup, which shows some promise. He doesn't walk many batters but sometimes misses his spots inside the zone. Galarraga can be a No. 3 starter if his changeup emerges. If that doesn't work out, he could be a powerful bullpen arm. He figures to start 2006 back in Double-A but could earn a big league promotion late in the year.

Minor League Top Prospects

Galarraga spent five seasons in Rookie ball, two in his native Venezuela and three in the Gulf Coast League, and he didn't open many eyes when he finally made it to low Class A last year. He's no longer anonymous after a breakout 2005, and he might have won the CL strikeout title if he hadn't been promoted to Double-A at midseason. Using an effortless delivery, Galarraga works with a low-90s fastball, a mid-80s slider and changeup. Fierce and intimidating, he pounds the strike zone with his lively heater and uses his slider as his out pitch. He needs to improve his arm speed on his changeup to make it more effective.