Gallegos proud to represent México and the Cardinals
By Manolo Hernández Douen
For many years, Giovanny Gallegos was labeled as a great Yankees prospect. Now the Mexican reliever is getting a chance to prove himself as one of the top National League relievers with the Cardinals.
El Yaqui, as he’ll be known on the back of his jersey for Players’ Weekend, is clearly proud of his Sonora, Mexico, roots.
A member of the Mexican team that played against Puerto Rico, Venezuela and Italy as part of Group ‘D’ in the 2017 World Baseball Classic at Guadalajara, México, Gallegos is very proud to carry the name of his country with great honor in the big leagues.
Earlier this year, he pitched for the Cardinals in the two-game series against the Reds in Monterrey, México, with several family members in the stands, traveling from Ciudad Obregón to see him perform personally.
“I feel very proud to represent México in the major leagues,” Gallegos said. “I wish we were more [major league players from Mexico] but those are things we can’t control. Hopefully, it would change in the future. When I’m out there, I represent the Cardinals and I give my best to help my team to win as many games as possible and I love to elevate the name of México to the highest level.”
Acquired from the Yankees on July 26, 2018, the native of Ciudad Obregón, Sonora, México, has never pitched in a full major league season. He worked in one game at the Class AAA level this year before his recall to San Louis on mid-April. He’s currently flying high with the Cardinals, one of the top contenders for the National League Central Division crown.
“Personally, I feel the huge difference for me this year is having confidence,” Gallegos said. “It’s because a team like this is giving me the opportunity and putting so much trust in me, believing I could do a good job.
“I’ve matured physically and mentally and I’ve always worked hard on my routine and with my stuff,” Gallegos said. “I’m very thankful to this organization for giving me the opportunity to be here. I’m trying to take advantage of every chance I get. Thanks to God I’m living a dream and making it come true.”
Nicknamed “Payton” when he was a kid growing up in México, for his physical resemblance to former NBA point guard Gary Payton, Gallegos was once a starting pitcher in the Yankees organization. He actually played parts of the 2017 and 2018 American League seasons with the Bronx team.
He was always one of those prospects whom his original organization was not willing to give up, but the Yankees needed the powerful bat of first baseman Luke Voit, so Gallegos was shipped to Missouri.
In his first full season as the Cardinals manager, Mike Shildt doesn’t have enough much information to be able to compare the “old” Gallegos to the 2019 version of the effective reliever, but he’s very thankful the 28-year old right-handed pitcher has been such a great weapon out of the Redbirds bullpen.
“He helps us a lot, he really has been a good asset for us,” Shildt said. “He’s got the ability to get righties and lefties and to be effective against both.
“I can’t really speak to his improvements from last year, because he only pitched at the very end for us in the big leagues after the trade,” Shildt said. “He’s done a very nice job for us this year. He competes very well, regardless of the situation. He’s got two plus pitches to use and he throws strikes.”
A full-time relief pitcher since 2015, Gallegos certainly loves the competition. After all, he has belonged to two big league teams with a long tradition of success. As a fact, he helped both organizations to win titles for their respective Class AAA affiliates in 2016 and 2018.
“I thank God for letting me be a part of two of the best major league organizations, but I’ve got a lot of respect for every one of the 30 teams, any one could give you tough competition at any given time,” Gallegos said.
Featured Image: Azael Rodriguez / Getty Images Sport