MLB 2022: 7 dark horse Cy Young candidates at this moment
By Sean Basile
Zac Gallen, Arizona Diamondbacks
- 4-2 Record
- 2.95 ERA
- 55 Ks in 58 IP
- 23% K-rate
- 3.32 xERA
- 3.67 FIP
I’m quite certain there’s a large contingency of people out there that chalk Zac Gallen’s string first half up to being in the realm of a fluke, but I think he’s very much here to stay.
The Diamondbacks have a very underrated pitching staff headed by Gallen. At some point, I do believe their bats will slow down, as it’s a lineup very much carried by the home run ball. But the pitching should be able to maintain and give Gallen the momentum he needs to finish the year strong … and hopefully healthy.
What’s most impressive when it comes to Gallen is that he is primarily running on a strong fastball with some average-to-below-average secondary stuff.
His curveball is generating 2,463 rpms worth of spin right now, which is about league average.
His changeup is generating 1,555 rpms of spin, which is pretty below-average for a changeup (1,700 is about the average).
But his 4-seamer is generating 2,454 rpms (above-average) while his cutter is generating 2,444 rpms (elite level). Had Gallen been a tad walk-crazy this year like some of the other guys on this list, I’d say you’d have a point to perhaps be skeptical of his success. But since he’s walking about 6.7% of his batters this season, I think working with a fastball-heavy arsenal can pan out well for him in the long run.
The D-Backs have a very underrated pitching staff, and pending complete collapse, I’d say Gallen is in good enough company right now to maintain the roll he’s been on in the first few months.