Gary Galvez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #28 prospect in 2006
  The Red Sox never have landed a high-profile Cuban defector, but they did prevail in the spirited bidding for Galvez in February 2003. They beat out the Dodgers, Mariners, Phillies and Yankees with a $450,000 bonus amid reports he turned down a $500,000 offer from another club. He chose Boston because he had developed a relationship with Sox director of international operations Louis Eljaua (who since has joined the Pirates). Visa issues forced Galvez to make his debut in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League, and he has spent the last two years in low Class A. The Red Sox were pleased with the improvement he showed from 2004 to 2005. He used his 90-91 mph fastball more often last year rather than trying to fool hitters with his offspeed stuff. He also improved his conditioning and looked more confident on the mound. Galvez' curveball, slider and changeup are all average pitches, but he lacks a putaway option. As a result, he must be fine with his location, especially with his fastball, which features little movement. His ceiling isn't high but he's headed in the right direction. He'll pitch in high Class A this year.
• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #29 prospect in 2005
  Galvez made three attempts to defect from Cuba before succeeding on his fourth in August 2002. The Red Sox beat out the Dodgers, Mariners, Phillies and Yankees to sign him for $450,000. Though one of the other clubs offered him $500,000, he chose the Sox because he developed a relationship with Louie Elajua, then Boston's director of international scouting. Visa problems restricted him to the Dominican Summer League in 2003, delaying his U.S. debut until last season. Galvez showed very good control for his age--which, unlike with many Cubans, isn't in dispute--but must come up with a way to miss more bats. He can locate his fastball with precision, but it has below-average velocity (86-90 mph) and movement. His curveball and slider are effective, and he shows a feel for his changeup. But Galvez likes to toy with hitters and show all his pitches rather than finish them off. He could begin 2005 back in low Class A with an opportunity to move up later in the season.
• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #21 prospect in 2004
  Scouts first noticed Galvez when he played first base and pitched in relief for Cuba's 16- and-under team at the 2000 Pan American Championship in Monterrey, Mexico. He was projected as Cuba's ace at the 2002 World Junior Championship before being pulled from the roster the day before the team left for Quebec. The government considered him a threat to defect, and when Galvez realized he'd probably never be allowed to travel outside of Cuba with future national teams, he resolved to leave. After three aborted attempts, he was smuggled off the island with 22 other Cubans on August 22. Galvez spent a month in a U.S. detention center before getting processed and establishing residency in the Dominican Republic. The Red Sox beat out the Dodgers, Mariners, Phillies and Yankees to sign Galvez for $450,000 plus college scholarship money, though their offer was $50,000 less than the highest bid. Galvez didn't get his visa paperwork straightened out until last September, so he spent the summer in the Dominican Summer League and didn't come to the United States until instructional league. Boston is enthused by his advanced approach for his age, and his birthdate hasn't been questioned. Galvez already shows the aptitude to sink his fastball, hit either corner with it and change speeds with his heater and curveball. His fastball usually sits around 90 mph and should pick up velocity. His curveball, slider and changeup are all average pitches, and his command makes them play better than that. Galvez has a smooth delivery that allows him to throw strikes with ease. It also features a high leg kick that gives him deception. While in the DSL, he pitched backward for much of the season, using too many breaking balls before starting to pitch off his fastball in August. Though it's uncertain where Galvez will make his U.S. debut, he could advance to low Class A by the end of the season.