Zachary Peter Gallen Bio
Zachary Peter Gallen is an American professional baseball pitcher who has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Miami Marlins. Born on August 3, 1995, in Somerdale, New Jersey, Gallen emerged as one of the premier starting pitchers in the National League following a standout college career at the University of North Carolina. The St. Louis Cardinals selected him in the third round of the 2016 MLB draft before he became a key piece in trades that sent him to Miami and eventually Arizona. Gallen earned All-Star honors in 2023 and was named to the All-MLB First Team that same season.
Early Life and Background
Zachary Peter Gallen was born in Somerdale, New Jersey, to Jim and Stacy Gallen. When he was five years old, he refused to play tee-ball with children his own age, instead insisting on joining Little League Baseball with the Somerdale team. Gallen was taken in the third round of the Little League draft by his father’s team and played alongside children who were seven to nine years old. This early demonstration of competitiveness foreshadowed his future as a professional athlete.
At age 11, Gallen joined the Tri-state Arsenal Baseball Academy in New Jersey, where he served as both a pitcher and second baseman. He attended Bishop Eustace Preparatory School in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey, for his high school education. Despite growing up in South Jersey, Gallen was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and admired Mark McGwire, a fandom that would later make his eventual draft by the Cardinals particularly meaningful to him.
Path to Professional Baseball
Gallen continued his baseball career at the collegiate level, attending the University of North Carolina where he played for the North Carolina Tar Heels for three seasons. His junior year in 2016 proved to be a breakthrough, as he posted a 4-3 win-loss record with a 2.79 earned run average (ERA) and held opponents to a .231 batting average against him. During the summers following his freshman and sophomore years, Gallen played for the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of the premier summer collegiate baseball leagues in the United States.
The St. Louis Cardinals, the team Gallen had rooted for while growing up, selected him in the third round of the 2016 MLB draft. He made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast Cardinals, where he posted an impressive 1.86 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings pitched. He began the 2017 season with the Palm Beach Cardinals and earned promotions to the Springfield Cardinals and Memphis Redbirds. That year, he combined for a 10-8 record with a 2.93 ERA and 1.17 WHIP across 26 starts with all three affiliates.
Zachary Peter Gallen Career
St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins (2016-2019)
On December 14, 2017, the Cardinals traded Gallen along with Sandy Alcántara, Magneuris Sierra, and Daniel Castano to the Miami Marlins in exchange for Marcell Ozuna. Gallen later speculated that the Cardinals traded him because he was reluctant to attend a winter workout camp. He received a non-roster invitation to spring training in 2018 and spent that season with the New Orleans Baby Cakes, going 8-9 with a 3.65 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in 25 starts.
Gallen returned to New Orleans to begin the 2019 season. On June 20, 2019, the Marlins promoted him to the major leagues. He made his MLB debut that night against the St. Louis Cardinals, recording six strikeouts and allowing one earned run over five innings pitched. The trade that sent him to St. Louis as a young fan came full circle in his first major league appearance.
Arizona Diamondbacks Breakthrough (2019-Present)
On July 31, 2019, the Marlins traded Gallen to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for shortstop Jazz Chisholm Jr. In his eight starts with Arizona that season, Gallen went 2-3 with a 2.89 ERA, striking out 53 batters in 43 2/3 innings. The following season in 2020, he recorded 82 strikeouts in 72 innings while posting a 3-2 record and a 2.75 ERA.
The 2022 season marked Gallen’s emergence as an elite starting pitcher. Starting with an August 2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians, he threw 34 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings. The streak continued until a September 11 win over the Colorado Rockies, reaching 44 1/3 innings total. This broke Brandon Webb’s franchise record of 42 innings set in 2007 and stands as the seventh-longest streak in major league history. During this stretch, Gallen produced six consecutive starts without allowing a run, tying the major league record. He earned NL Player of the Week and NL Pitcher of the Month honors for his August performance. For the 2022 season, Gallen finished 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 contract worth $5.6 million with the Diamondbacks. He earned NL Player of the Week honors in April and was named the starting pitcher for the National League in the All-Star Game. Most notably, he pitched six no-hit innings in Game 5 of the 2023 World Series, though Arizona ultimately lost the series. For the season, he went 17-9 with a 3.47 ERA and 220 strikeouts in 210 innings, finishing third in NL Cy Young voting and earning All-MLB First Team recognition.
The 2024 season saw Gallen agree to a $10 million contract. The Diamondbacks placed him on the 15-day injured list on May 31 due to a right hamstring strain. He returned on June 29 against the Oakland Athletics, pitching six scoreless innings while allowing only one hit. That performance marked his fifth career start of six or more innings with one hit or fewer. For the season, Gallen went 14-6 with a 3.65 ERA and 156 strikeouts in 148 innings.
Prior to the 2025 season, Gallen signed a $13.5 million contract. Despite the addition of Corbin Burnes to the starting rotation, the Diamondbacks named Gallen their Opening Day starter for the third consecutive season. He finished the 2025 campaign with a 13-15 record, a 4.83 ERA, and 175 strikeouts in 192 innings. After the season, Gallen became a free agent. The Diamondbacks extended a qualifying offer of $22.025 million, which he declined.
Driving Style and Strengths
Gallen has established himself as a strikeout artist with the ability to work deep into games. His 1,112 career strikeouts through June 2026 demonstrate his swing-and-miss capability. He excels at limiting base runners, as evidenced by his career WHIP figures, and has shown the durability to handle heavy workloads during championship runs. His performance in the 2023 World Series, where he held the Texas Rangers hitless through six innings in a potential clinching game, showcased his ability to elevate his game in pressure situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Gallen’s 44 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings in 2022 stands as one of the most impressive streaks in Diamondbacks franchise history and ranks seventh all-time in major league history. His selection as the National League starting pitcher for the 2023 All-Star Game represented recognition from across baseball as one of the game’s top hurlers. His performance in the 2023 World Series, particularly Game 5, cemented his status as a big-game pitcher capable of performing on the sport’s largest stage.
Zachary Peter Gallen Career Wins
Through June 26, 2026, Gallen has compiled a career win-loss record of 69-59 with a 3.79 ERA and 1,112 strikeouts across parts of seven major league seasons with the Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks. His win total includes a 17-win season in 2023 and a 14-win campaign in 2024.
Arizona Diamondbacks Highlights
Gallen has been at his best while wearing a Diamondbacks uniform. His 2023 season saw him go 17-9 with 220 strikeouts in 210 innings, leading Arizona to the World Series. His 2022 season included the franchise-record scoreless innings streak and a 12-4 record with 192 strikeouts. He earned his first All-Star selection in 2023 and was named to the All-MLB First Team that same year.
Other Wins and Performances
Prior to joining Arizona, Gallen made his major league debut with the Miami Marlins in June 2019, recording his first major league win during that season. His brief time with the Marlins included his debut start against the St. Louis Cardinals, the team he grew up supporting and the organization that originally drafted him in 2016.
| Team | Seasons | Record | ERA | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Marlins | 2019 | 2-3 | 2.89 | 53 |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | 2019-2025 | 67-56 | 3.82 | 1,059 |
Zachary Peter Gallen Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Zachary Peter Gallen was born in Somerdale, New Jersey, to Jim Gallen and Stacy Gallen. His father’s involvement in local baseball, specifically serving as a manager in the Somerdale Little League, provided Zac with his first opportunity to play organized baseball at age five. Gallen has credited his family for supporting his development throughout his youth career and through his rise to professional baseball.
Personal Life
Gallen attended Bishop Eustace Preparatory School in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey, before continuing his education at the University of North Carolina. He maintains connections to his New Jersey roots while pursuing his professional baseball career in Arizona. Gallen is active on social media, maintaining an Instagram account at zac_gallen.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season presented new challenges for Gallen as the Diamondbacks added former Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes to their rotation. Despite the competition for the top spot in the rotation, the organization named Gallen their Opening Day starter for the third consecutive season, a testament to his standing within the clubhouse and the front office’s confidence in his abilities. He battled through inconsistencies throughout the season, finishing 13-15 with a 4.83 ERA and 175 strikeouts in 192 innings pitched.
Following the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, Gallen entered free agency for the first time in his career. The Diamondbacks extended a qualifying offer of $22.025 million for the 2026 season, which he declined. This marked a significant moment in his career trajectory as he explored opportunities elsewhere while the Diamondbacks signaled their desire to retain him. Gallen ultimately re-signed with the Diamondbacks on February 15, 2026, on a one-year deal worth $22.025 million, returning to the organization where he has spent the majority of his major league career and where he has achieved his greatest successes.