Who Did Zac Gallen Get Drafted By? Unpacking His Early MLB Journey

Every big-league star starts somewhere, and for fans, finding out about those early days can be quite interesting. When we watch a pitcher like Zac Gallen dominate on the mound, it's natural to wonder about his beginnings. Where did this talent first get noticed? Who saw his potential first in the professional baseball world? It's a question many baseball enthusiasts ask, and the answer tells a story of development, trades, and a steady climb to the top.

Zac Gallen, a name synonymous with top-tier pitching in today's game, really has made a mark. His performances, especially as of late in October 2023, have put him in the spotlight, so people are naturally curious about his path. It's a path that involved a few different teams before he settled with his current squad, the Arizona Diamondbacks.

So, if you've ever thought about Zac Gallen's early career, or perhaps wondered how he landed where he is now, you're in the right place. We'll trace his journey from college ball to his initial selection in the Major League Baseball draft, and then through the trades that shaped his professional life. It's quite a tale, actually.

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Table of Contents

• Zac Gallen: A Quick Look
• Zac Gallen's Personal Details & Bio Data
• The Draft Story: Who Picked Him First?
  • From College Standout to MLB Prospect
  • The St. Louis Cardinals Connection
  • A Path Through the Minors
• The Trade That Changed Everything
  • From St. Louis to Miami
  • Making His Big League Appearance
  • The Arizona Diamondbacks Acquire Gallen
• Gallen's Impact and Current Success
• People Also Ask About Zac Gallen's Draft
  • When was Zac Gallen drafted?
  • What college did Zac Gallen attend?
  • Has Zac Gallen ever been traded?
• Looking Ahead

Zac Gallen: A Quick Look

Zac Gallen has, you know, become one of the most reliable arms in baseball. His ability to consistently throw strikes and keep hitters off balance makes him a joy to watch. He's known for his calm presence on the mound and a really sharp fastball that seems to get past batters with ease. He also mixes in a good curveball and changeup, which, honestly, keeps everyone guessing.

His story is a good example of how a player can move around a bit before finding their true home. Some players stay with one team their whole career, but others, like Zac, get to experience a few different organizations. This kind of journey can, in a way, really shape a player's skills and their outlook on the game.

Zac Gallen's Personal Details & Bio Data

Here's a quick rundown of some key details about Zac Gallen, just to give you a clearer picture of his background and professional start. It's useful to see these facts all together, so.

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The Draft Story: Who Picked Him First?

The question of "Who did Zac Gallen get drafted by?" is a very common one, and it takes us back to the year 2016. That was a big year for many young baseball players hoping to make it to the big leagues. It's where their professional dreams really start to take shape, you know.

From College Standout to MLB Prospect

Before any professional team could pick him, Zac Gallen made a name for himself at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was a key pitcher for the Tar Heels, showing a lot of promise during his time there. College baseball is, in a way, a proving ground, and Zac certainly proved himself to be a top arm.

His college stats were pretty good, and scouts certainly took notice of his ability to command the ball and get outs. He had a good feel for pitching, even then. This strong college performance really set him up as a desirable prospect for the upcoming MLB draft, so.

The St. Louis Cardinals Connection

So, the answer to who first picked Zac Gallen is the St. Louis Cardinals. They selected him in the third round of the 2016 MLB draft. He was the 106th player chosen overall that year. This was a pretty significant moment for him, as it marked his official entry into professional baseball.

The Cardinals are, you know, a team with a strong history of developing pitchers, and they clearly saw something special in Gallen. They invested a draft pick in him, believing he had the tools to become a successful major league arm. It's interesting how these early picks can shape a player's whole path, really.

A Path Through the Minors

After being drafted, Zac Gallen began his professional journey in the Cardinals' minor league system. Like most prospects, he spent time honing his skills and working his way up through the different levels. This period is super important for young players, as they adjust to the professional game and learn to handle the daily grind.

He pitched for various Cardinals minor league affiliates, showing consistent progress. He was, by all accounts, performing well and getting better with each passing season. This steady performance in the minors is, in some respects, a good sign that a player is on the right track, and Zac was definitely on that track.

The Trade That Changed Everything

While the Cardinals were the team that drafted him, Zac Gallen actually made his Major League debut with a different club. His journey involved a couple of trades, which is, you know, pretty common in baseball. These moves can really change a player's career trajectory, and they certainly did for Zac.

From St. Louis to Miami

The first big change for Zac Gallen happened in December 2017. He was part of a major trade package that sent him from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Miami Marlins. This trade was a pretty significant one, as it involved a well-known player, Marcell Ozuna, going to the Cardinals. So, Zac was a key piece in that deal, which says a lot about how highly he was regarded.

Joining the Marlins meant a new organization, new teammates, and a fresh start in a different minor league system. He continued to pitch well for the Marlins' minor league clubs, further building his case for a big league call-up. It's almost like he just kept proving himself, over and over.

Making His Big League Appearance

Zac Gallen finally got his chance to pitch in Major League Baseball on June 20, 2019. This debut happened while he was with the Miami Marlins. It's a moment every baseball player dreams of, and he certainly earned it through his hard work in the minors. He showed flashes of his potential during his short time with the Marlins, so.

Even though his time with the Marlins' big league squad was brief, it was an important step. It gave him a taste of what it's like to pitch against the best hitters in the world. This experience, you know, is invaluable for any young pitcher trying to make their mark.

The Arizona Diamondbacks Acquire Gallen

Just a little over a month after his MLB debut, Zac Gallen was on the move again. In July 2019, the Miami Marlins traded him to the Arizona Diamondbacks. This trade was for another highly regarded prospect, Jazz Chisholm Jr., who went to the Marlins. This shows, yet again, how much other teams valued Gallen's arm.

Joining the Diamondbacks was, in a way, the final piece of the puzzle for Zac. He quickly settled into their rotation and began to show the consistent, high-level pitching that fans now recognize. This move truly set the stage for his rise to prominence in the league, you know.

Gallen's Impact and Current Success

Since joining the Arizona Diamondbacks, Zac Gallen has really blossomed into one of baseball's top starting pitchers. He has become the ace of their staff, consistently delivering strong outings. His ability to limit runs and pitch deep into games has been a huge asset for the Diamondbacks, especially as of late in 2023.

His journey from being drafted by the Cardinals, then traded to the Marlins, and finally landing with the Diamondbacks, highlights the winding path many players take. It's a good reminder that a player's initial draft team isn't always where they find their greatest success. Sometimes, it takes a couple of moves to really find the right fit, and that's pretty much what happened here.

He's a prime example of a pitcher who has, you know, steadily improved and adapted throughout his career. His dedication to his craft is clear every time he steps on the mound. You can learn more about Zac Gallen's full career stats and history by checking out his player page on Baseball-Reference.com, which is a very useful resource.

His story also shows how much talent is out there in college baseball and the minor leagues. There are so many players working hard, hoping for their chance. Zac Gallen's story is, in some respects, an inspiration for those coming up through the ranks, too.

People Also Ask About Zac Gallen's Draft

When people search for information about Zac Gallen's draft, a few common questions pop up. It's good to address these directly, as they often get to the heart of what fans want to know. Here are some of those frequently asked questions, so.

When was Zac Gallen drafted?

Zac Gallen was drafted in the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft. This means he was selected by a professional team in the summer of that year, after completing his college baseball career. It was a pretty big moment for him, you know.

What college did Zac Gallen attend?

Zac Gallen played his college baseball at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was a significant part of their pitching staff before he turned professional. His time there really helped him develop his skills, actually.

Has Zac Gallen ever been traded?

Yes, Zac Gallen has been traded twice in his professional career. He was first traded from the St. Louis Cardinals, who drafted him, to the Miami Marlins. Then, he was traded again from the Miami Marlins to his current team, the Arizona Diamondbacks. These trades, you know, were pretty impactful for his career.

Looking Ahead

Zac Gallen's journey from a third-round draft pick to an ace pitcher has been quite a path. It shows that the initial draft selection is just the very first step in a much longer story. His time with the St. Louis Cardinals, then the Miami Marlins, and now his success with the Arizona Diamondbacks, really highlights how players can find their footing and shine in different places. It's a good story of perseverance, and, you know, finding the right fit.

For more interesting stories about player development or the ins and outs of baseball, you can always Learn more about player journeys on our site. We have a lot of content about how players make it to the big leagues. You might also want to check out this page for more detailed player profiles, if you're curious about other players' paths, too.