Marlins prospect Zac Gallen named PCL Pitcher of the Week

Zac Gallen, the Miami Marlins No. 18 minor league prospect with the New Orleans Baby Cakes, has been named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week.

If the Miami Marlins make a move to change up the team’s pitching staff, look for starter Zac Gallen to be one of the first names called to the Major League roster. The 23-year-old right-hander has been named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week.

Gallen is one of the top prospects in the organization (18th overall, ranked by MLB.com) and part of a solid staff in New Orleans as part of the Marlins Triple-A affiliate.

Per the Babycakes website, “Gallen made two starts for the Baby Cakes, allowing just one run on three hits in 13.0 innings while striking out 19 and not issuing a walk. On April 5 against Round Rock, he tossed seven hitless innings with 11 strikeouts, facing the minimum. The only hitter that reached, via a fielding error, was erased on a caught stealing.”

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Gallen was part of the deal, along with team’s No. 4 starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara, that sent outfielder Marcell Ozuna to the St. Louis Cardinals. He is considered one of the next wave of solid pitching prospects the Marlins have in their minor league system.

He was originally a third-round pick of the Cardinals in 2016. His dominance on the mound last week was the reason for him being selected as the PCL’s top pitcher.

“Gallen threw 60 of his 87 pitches for strikes. New Orleans’ combined no-hit attempt was broken up by the leadoff batter of the ninth inning, as Jack Mayfield homered,” per the Baby Cakes.“Gallen tossed another quality start in his second outing of the season, on April 11 at Iowa. The New Jersey native went six innings, giving up only three hits, one run and striking out eight. He retired 12 of the first 13 hitters and didn’t factor into the decision of Iowa’s 5-4 win.”

Gallen and Nick Neidert, the Marlins No. 4 prospect, give the Baby Cakes too of the best 1-2 combinations in the minors and the potential for mid-season or a Sept. 1 call-up for both starters.

Alcantara and Gallen weren’t the only two players who were part of the deal for Ozuna. The front office also acquired  Magneuris Sierra, who is currently with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp of the Southern League, Miami’s Double-A affiliate.

He has spent time with the Marlins on the Major League roster last season.

Miami also acquired Daniel Castano, a hard-throwing right-hander who is currently in Jupiter in Class-A ball.