Zac Gallen Must Regain Fastball Command to Stay Elite
Alright, let’s talk about Zac Gallen. The Arizona Diamondbacks’ ace is heading into the most crucial season of his career. With free agency looming after this year, Gallen has a lot riding on his performance. From 2022 to 2024, he built an impressive resume—going 43-19 with a 3.20 ERA and a 3.22 FIP across 90 starts. That kind of consistency has positioned him to land a contract north of $150 million. But, there’s one glaring issue that could complicate things: his fastball command.
Gallen’s fastball has been trending in the wrong direction since the start of the 2024 season. In his Opening Day start against the Chicago Cubs, he struggled significantly with location, landing just 34.9% of his fastballs in the strike zone. That’s a major dip, considering he was above 58% in 2023. He walked two batters and threw 11 straight balls in a brutal second inning, which ultimately cut his outing short. That wasn’t just a one-time issue—it reflects an ongoing problem that started last year.
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In 2023, Gallen’s fastball was a weapon, with over 58% landing in the zone. But by mid-2024, that dropped to 53%, and by the second half, it was just 49%. For context, the league average sits around 54-55%, so this isn’t a minor drop—it’s costing him outs and putting him behind in counts. The decline in fastball command has also led to worse results. In 2023, batters hit just .256 against his four-seamer, but in 2024, that number ballooned to .366. That’s a major red flag.
However, it’s not all bad news. When Gallen is at his best, he’s elite at placing his fastball in the “shadow zone” (on or near the edges of the strike zone). In the first half of 2022, he was locating there about 45-48% of the time—well above league average. But as his in-zone fastball percentage dipped, hitters adjusted, becoming more aggressive and forcing him into deeper counts. That’s the key issue he needs to address.
Now, his next challenge is a big one—the New York Yankees. Fresh off a dominant series where they crushed 15 home runs, the Yankees are coming in hot. Gallen needs to be sharp, especially early in counts. If he can command his fastball on the edges, he’ll keep the Yankees’ hitters guessing and open up his devastating off-speed arsenal. But if he struggles again, New York’s power-hitters will capitalize in a big way.
The bottom line? Zac Gallen is still one of the best pitchers in baseball, but his fastball command needs a serious reset. If he can get back to locating his heater effectively, he’ll put himself in a strong position for a massive payday and, more importantly, help the Diamondbacks stay competitive. His performance against the Yankees will be a crucial test—and one that could set the tone for the rest of his season.
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