Zac Gallen Bio
Zachary Peter Gallen (born August 3, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent after spending his MLB career with the Arizona Diamondbacks and briefly with the Miami Marlins. Drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the third round of the 2016 MLB draft, Gallen developed into one of the National League’s most reliable starting pitchers, peaking with an All-Star selection and an All-MLB First Team nod in 2023. He is widely recognized for his pinpoint command, swing-and-miss stuff, and a memorable scoreless-innings streak that set an Arizona franchise record.
Early Life and Background
Zachary Peter Gallen was born on August 3, 1995, in Somerdale, New Jersey, to Jim and Stacy Gallen. From an early age, his competitive nature was evident; at just five years old, he refused to play tee-ball, insisting instead on joining the local Somerdale Little League team. He was selected in the third round of that Little League draft by his father’s team, where he played alongside children several years older than him.
At age 11, Gallen joined the Tri-State Arsenal Baseball Academy in New Jersey, where he worked as both a pitcher and a second baseman. He later attended Bishop Eustace Preparatory School in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey, where his pitching profile continued to sharpen. Despite growing up in South Jersey, Gallen rooted passionately for the St. Louis Cardinals and admired slugger Mark McGwire as a young fan.
Path to Major League Baseball
After high school, Gallen took his game to the University of North Carolina, where he played college baseball for the North Carolina Tar Heels over three seasons. He supplemented his college schedule with two summers in the Cape Cod Baseball League, suiting up for the Chatham Anglers after the 2014 and 2015 seasons. During his junior year in 2016, he posted a 4–3 record with a 2.79 earned run average, establishing himself as a polished draft prospect.
The St. Louis Cardinals selected Gallen in the third round of the 2016 MLB draft, the same franchise he had cheered for as a child. He quickly advanced through the minor league system, debuting with the Gulf Coast Cardinals before earning promotions to the Palm Beach Cardinals, Springfield Cardinals, and Memphis Redbirds. Across 26 starts in 2017, he combined for a 10–8 record, a 2.93 ERA, and a 1.17 WHIP, putting himself on the cusp of the major leagues.
Zac Gallen Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
On December 14, 2017, the Cardinals traded Gallen, Sandy Alcántara, Magneuris Sierra, and Daniel Castano to the Miami Marlins in exchange for Marcell Ozuna. Gallen later suggested the Cardinals may have moved him because of his reluctance to attend a winter workout camp. He joined the Marlins organization as a non-roster invitee to 2018 spring training and spent the year with the New Orleans Baby Cakes, going 8–9 with a 3.65 ERA in 25 starts.
Miami Marlins Breakthrough (2019)
Gallen returned to New Orleans to begin 2019 before receiving his first big-league call. On June 20, 2019, the Marlins promoted him to the majors, and he debuted that night against his original organization, the St. Louis Cardinals. He struck out six batters and allowed just one earned run across five innings in a memorable first start. His stay in Miami was brief, however, as the Marlins traded him to the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 31, 2019, in a deal that sent shortstop Jazz Chisholm Jr. to Miami.
Arizona Diamondbacks Era (2019–Present)
In his first stretch with Arizona, Gallen went 2–3 with a 2.89 ERA across eight starts, fanning 53 batters in 43 and two-thirds innings. The shortened 2020 season saw him post 82 strikeouts in 72 innings with a 2.75 ERA and a 3–2 record. He returned to the Diamondbacks’ rotation in 2022 and authored one of the most remarkable stretches in franchise history.
Beginning with an August 2, 2022, win over the Cleveland Guardians, Gallen rolled up 34 and one-third consecutive scoreless innings, earning National League Pitcher of the Month honors for August. The streak extended to 44 and one-third innings before a September 11 win over the Colorado Rockies, surpassing Brandon Webb’s club record of 42 from 2007 and ranking seventh-longest in major league history. He finished 2022 with a 12–4 record, a 2.54 ERA, and 192 strikeouts in 184 innings, placing fifth in NL Cy Young voting.
In 2023, Gallen agreed to a one-year, $5.6 million contract to avoid arbitration and was selected to the MLB All-Star Game, where he served as the National League’s starting pitcher. He helped the Diamondbacks reach the 2023 World Series, pitching six no-hit innings in Game 5, though Arizona ultimately fell short. His 17–9 record, 3.47 ERA, and 220 strikeouts in 210 innings earned him All-MLB First Team honors and a third-place finish in NL Cy Young voting. He signed a one-year, $10 million deal for 2024 and a one-year, $13.5 million deal for 2025, going 14–6 with a 3.65 ERA in 2024 before a 13–15, 4.83 ERA campaign in 2025. After declining a qualifying offer, Gallen re-signed with the Diamondbacks on February 15, 2026, on a one-year, $22.025 million contract.
Driving Style and Strengths
Gallen is known for his above-average command and a deep four-pitch mix, using a fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup to keep hitters off balance. He excels at inducing weak contact and generating strikeouts, particularly against right-handed lineups, and his ability to limit walks has been a hallmark of his game. His consistency in working deep into games has made him a trusted workhorse and a natural choice for Opening Day assignments.
Notable Events and Milestones
Gallen’s 44 and one-third consecutive scoreless innings in 2022 stand as the defining streak of his career, breaking a franchise record and tying the major league mark for consecutive starts without allowing a run. His six no-hit innings in Game 5 of the 2023 World Series and his role as the National League’s starting pitcher in the 2023 All-Star Game further cemented his reputation as a marquee big-game arm.
Zac Gallen Career Wins
Through the 2025 season, Zac Gallen has accumulated an extensive win total across his major league stints with the Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks, anchored by double-digit victory seasons in each full year from 2022 onward.
Major League Highlights
Gallen’s win totals reflect his durability and consistency, including a 17-win campaign in 2023 and 14 wins in 2024. His first major league victory came during his debut season with the Marlins in 2019, and his most recent wins came during his final season in his first Diamondbacks stint. He has been a reliable postseason contributor, helping Arizona reach the 2023 World Series.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond the majors, Gallen posted a 10–8 combined minor league record in 2017 across three Cardinals affiliates and an 8–9 mark with the New Orleans Baby Cakes in 2018, showing steady development before reaching the big leagues. His Cape Cod League experience with the Chatham Anglers also helped prepare him for the rigors of professional baseball.
Zac Gallen Family
Family Background and Lineage
Gallen was raised in Somerdale, New Jersey, by his parents, Jim and Stacy Gallen, who supported his baseball ambitions from a young age. His father coached or organized his earliest teams, including the Somerdale Little League squad that drafted the five-year-old Gallen in the third round of their selection process. The family’s encouragement laid the foundation for his path through Bishop Eustace Preparatory School and into college baseball at North Carolina.
Personal Life
Gallen grew up as an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan in South Jersey, a connection that made his eventual draft selection by the franchise especially meaningful. He continues to be active off the field, maintaining a public presence through his Instagram account. He is known for keeping his personal and family life largely private.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season saw Gallen take the ball as Arizona’s Opening Day starter for the third consecutive year, even after the addition of Corbin Burnes to the rotation. He once again logged a heavy workload, pitching 192 innings across 34 starts with 175 strikeouts, though his record slipped to 13–15 and his ERA rose to 4.83.
Despite the elevated ERA, Gallen remained a workhorse and a stabilizing presence in the middle of Arizona’s rotation, consistently giving the Diamondbacks length and competitive outings. The contrast between his 2024 success and his 2025 results raised questions about whether nagging injuries or shifting batted-ball luck played a role. With the qualifying offer declined and a one-year, $22.025 million deal re-signed in February 2026, his 2025 campaign set the stage for a high-stakes bounce-back effort in the year ahead.
