Gallagher earned Big West Conference freshman of the year honors in 2022 but missed the entire next season following Tommy John surgery. He returned in 2024 and earned All-America accolades after leading NCAA Division I in WHIP (0.84) and ranking fourth in hits per nine innings (5.1) and seventh in ERA (2.22). The first pitcher drafted by the Cubs (sixth round) last July, he got off to a strong start in his pro debut in High-A this spring, earning a promotion to Double-A shortly before being sent to the Twins in the Willi Castro Trade Deadline deal.
Though Gallagher has added about 2 mph to his fastball at the beginning of his pro career, working at 90-93 mph and topping out at 95, the quality induced vertical break and command of his heater are more notable than its velocity. He has advanced feel for an upper-70s changeup with good depth, showing the aptitude to miss bats in the zone and also get chases with it. He also has an effective low-80s slider and will mix in a mediocre upper-70s curveball to give hitters a different look.
Gallagher has a strong 6-foot-4 build and repeats his simple delivery well. He locates his fastball wherever he wants and provides plenty of strikes with his changeup, though he doesn't land his breaking pitches consistently. He comes with a high floor as a likely No. 4 starter and shouldn’t take too long to impact the Twins’ big league rotation.
