Zac Gallen definitely isn't afraid of the big lights!
The former Tar Heel put together a career outing in his second start of the 2025 season, one that resulted in a win for the Arizona Diamondbacks against the New York Yankees.
Gallen tied his career-high with 13 strikeouts, as he pitched 6.2 innings of shutout baseball. While he was frustrated that he was pulled from the game just one out shy of pitching seven scoreless against the Bronx Bombers, the 29-year old did a tremendous job of keeping the Yankees offense silent.
Zac Gallen ties his career high with 1️⃣3️⃣ strikeouts! pic.twitter.com/AeGEMVbXV9
— MLB (@MLB) April 3, 2025
A Somerdale, New Jersey native, Gallen embraced the opportunity to pitch close to home, as it's important to remember that the 29-year-old is set to hit free agency this offseason.
Could this be an audition for Gallen, a player who just might happen to be available at the trade deadline if the Diamondbacks don't believe they can extend him?
If he becomes available, the Yankees could sure use another elite arm, especially with Gerrit Cole being sidelined for the entire 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery.
Gallen has developed into one of the most consistent and reliable pitchers in all of Major League Baseball, as the former Tar Heel has been statstically one of the best pitchers in the sport since 2022. His latest outing against the New York Yankees just goes to show how good he's been, as a lineup, one that is coming off a weekend series in which they exploded for a staggering 36 runs, simply had no answer for what the right-hander was throwing at them.
If Gallen continues to pitch at this type of level, he not only will be a hot commodity at the trade deadline, but will also line himself up nicely for a huge payday this offseason.