Miami Marlins Rookies: Isaac Galloway’s 11th Pro Season

Throughout the 2018/2019 offseason, Marlin Maniac will devote one article each for every player who appeared in the Miami Marlins system for the 2018 season. Every. Single. Player. This is Part 121 of 286. For the first 100, click here.

Isaac Galloway is a 6’2″, 205 lb. outfielder from Pomona Valley, California. Pomona was home to 14 then-future major leaguers, including 12-time all-star Mark McGuire.

Born on October 10th, 1989, Galloway was chosen in the eighth round of the 2008 MLB Amateur Draft out of Los Osos High School, 238th overall off the board, then signed with the Miami Marlins for a $245,000 bonus. Aside from Galloway, nine players chosen at the spot have eventually reached the majors, or 18 percent. Al Bumbry (1968, Baltimore Orioles, 24.5 career WAR), Ray Knight (1970, Cincinnati Reds, 13.3 WAR), and Chris Capuano (1999, Arizona Diamondbacks, 8.9 WAR) pace the small fraternity.

To say that Galloway took the long route to the major leagues is a bit of an understatement. Along the way, he was the number eight prospect of the then-Florida Marlins in 2010. Through his first 10 professional seasons and halfway through his 11th, he worked his way up through the Miami Marlins system. In total, he played in 947 minor league games before finally getting a callup.

Galloway slashed .251/.288/.384 in total, with 69 home runs and 358 RBI. Defensively, he played all three outfield positions, spending most of his time in center field. In 7,669 innings of work, he racked up a .984 fielding percentage, with 33 errors and 48 outfield assists.

On July 31st, 2018, Galloway’s contract was purchased from the minors, and he was brought up to the Miami Marlins active roster. It was a long time coming. Galloway had appeared in major league Spring Training in eight of the prior 10 seasons, and hit .302 over 101 plate appearances.

In his debut on July 31st, Galloway came in as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning of an eventual 11-6 loss to the Atlanta Braves. He collected an infield hit with one out in the top of the ninth, later coming around to score his first ever major league run.

Galloway played in 43 major league games through the end of the season, and did not rejoin the New Orleans Baby Cakes. He went 13-for-64 with three doubles and three homers for seven RBI. He drew nine walks, scored seven runs, and struck out 21 times. Defensively, he played at least 11 games in each outfield position and handled 46 chances without an error over 155 1/3 innings of work.

On August 18th, in a 7-5 win against the Washington Nationals, Galloway hit a two-run go-ahead and eventual game-winning single in the top of the 10th.

More from Marlins News

• Miami Marlins news: Another target gone
• Why didn’t the Miami Marlins sign JDM?
• Miami Marlins rejected Boston‘s trade offer
• Miami Marlins are pursuing Michael Conforto
• Miami Marlins need to spend to win

Galloway’s best performance was the next day, in a 12-1 victory over the Nats. He batted seventh and stole his first career base, hit a single, a double, and a solo home run.

Galloway is still on the Miami Marlins active roster and is protected on the 40-man roster as well. Despite his offensive limitations, he finished 2018 with a 0.6 WAR, although he had a 95 OPS+. Most of the positive WAR is due to his 0.4 dWAR.

He will open Spring Training as a 29-year-old rookie, and is expected to compete for a roster spot.

Thanks for reading. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to our daily newsletter to keep up with the Miami Marlins.