A Giants fan living in San Diego, been playing fantasy baseball since 2005 and dynasty since 2021. Started the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast in June 2023 and joined Prospects Live in March of 2024.
I know you are all probably sick of hearing about the Rafael Devers trade, but I haven't had a chance to publicly give my two cents yet as a diehard Giants fan. The initial shock has worn off, but the more I read about how the trade came together, the more I appreciate how unique it was. Not many teams could have taken on a contract of that size, and the Giants finally benefited from being the bridesmaid on so many other big-time hitters. Under Posey's leadership, they also acted decisively, which they had struggled to do under the previous front office, who often let the trade deadline pass without buying or selling. There has been a lot of chatter about the upside-down nature of the contract, but the Giants and other teams would have gladly shelled out that amount on the open market. I also have zero concerns about Devers being a clubhouse problem. To my knowledge, he had never been an issue before this season, and the problems all seemed to originate from a lack of communication. The Giants also went through this with the Brandon Crawford debacle and other situations where the players felt disrespected by the front office. Those mistakes are part of why Posey took the front office's helm. He will (and apparently has) put a significant emphasis on communicating expectations throughout this season and this transaction. I couldn't be more excited about where the Giants are right now. On the flip side, I'm very intrigued to see what the Red Sox can do with Kyle Harrison, and even with the ballpark downgrade, I might put in some buy-low offers in Dynasty.
Note: all stats current through Tuesday 6/17/25 and all minor league Statcast figures are sourced from TJ Stats.
Trey Gibson is a name that I've been considering for this article for quite some time. The only thing that has held me back has been the reliever risk due to the poor control he showed last year (10% walk rate) and early on this one (10.8% through his first five starts). However, Gibson has made tremendous strides in this area, posting a 6.3% walk rate over his last five starts, the last two of which have come with a promotion to Double-A. He's thrown 26 innings during this span with a 2.08 ERA (2.44 FIP), 0.62 WHIP, and an outstanding 44.8% strikeout rate. Outside of his three-walk Double-A debut (which I'll give him a pass for), he hasn't allowed more than one walk in any of those starts. Strikeouts have come in bunches with Gibson, as he already has three double-digit strikeout games this year.
The stuff is nasty with an above-average mid-90s fastball and a sweeper that Rhys called "an absolute weapon, easily a plus to double-plus pitch" this offseason in his Orioles Honorable Mentions article. In addition to those two pitches, Gibson features a curveball that gets positive if mixed grades (60 from Fangraphs and 50 from Pipeline), along with an average cutter and developing changeup—the command and control rates are around average from both outlets.Why To Think Twice
In addition to the early season walk issues, Gibson also struggled with home runs posting a HR/9 of 1.63. It's worth noting that this wasn't an issue for him last season and is at 0.87 across his last four starts. Rhys also highlighted the reliever risk in his offseason article saying:
The big concern with Gibson is his command. He tends to run up pitch counts and loses the strike zone for stretches, making me think his future is in the 'pen.
Final Thoughts
I have to shout out Smada, who recently wrote about Gibson as a speculative add in his recent orphan takeover, and Matt, who ranked him the highest at 267 in our update that came out this week. I'm not quite to Matt's level with Gibson, but I recognize the upside and a possible fallback as a high-leverage arm. He's a risky arm, but I'm finally ready to pounce now that he's showing the skills translate to the high minors. You should consider doing the same.
Where to pick up: Leagues with 350+ prospects rostered.
FAAB bid: Minimal (0-5%)
Ryan Gallagher - 22/SP/CHC/A+
Height/Weight: 6’3”/195 lbs Throws: R Fantrax Rostership: 2%
Top 600 Rankings (May 25): 435 My Top 400 Rankings (May 25): 349
Gallagher, a 6th-round pick out of UC Santa Barbara, has shoved in his first season of pro ball. It's been even more notable when you consider that he struggled badly out of the gate. Through his first four starts, Gallagher had amassed an ugly 4.97 ERA and 1.82 WHIP with a 17.7% strikeout rate while averaging just over three innings per start. However, something changed on May 10th because, on that day, he threw six no-hit innings with eight strikeouts. Beginning with that start, he's thrown five or more innings in each of his last six starts (going six innings in four) while striking out at least seven. During these six starts, he has a 2.06 ERA (2.30 FIP) and 0.74 WHIP, with a whopping 40.3% strikeout rate and a 6.2% walk rate. The control is no surprise, as even during his early season rough stretch, Gallagher had an 8.1% walk rate and has thrown strikes on the season at a 66% clip. Scouting reports back up the observed control, as MLB Pipeline recently graded him with above-average control to go with an above-average fastball. The fastball's velocity is nothing special (although it is showing increased velocity from his college days), averaging 90-93 and topping out at 95, but according to Pipeline, it features good IVB, and he commands it very well. In addition to the fastball, the arsenal is rounded out by an above-average changeup, an average slider, and a below-average curveball.
Why To Think Twice
Even with the increased velocity, Gallagher only has two above-average pitches and none that are plus. According to Pipeline, his command doesn't extend to his breaking balls. While he doesn't give up a lot of home runs, Gallagher doesn't put the ball on the ground much either, at just 33.9%. At age 22, he also needs a promotion to Double-A to be appropriately challenged.
Final Thoughts
Gallagher and Trey Gibson were back-to-back in my published rankings. Ironically, as with Trey Gibson, I have to shout out both Smada, who also wrote up Gallagher as a speculative add in his recent orphan takeover, and Matt, who was also the highest on Gallagher at 245 in our rankings that came out this week. While I value the two arms similarly, they are very different profiles. Gibson provides more upside with his better stuff but more relief risk. Gallagher, on the other hand, is a safer option. According to Pipeline's scouting report, he has the floor of a number 4 starter. If he can develop an improved breaking pitch or find some more velocity, there could also be an even higher upside here.
Where to pick up: Leagues with 350+ prospects rostered.
FAAB bid: Minimal (0-5%)
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Your one stop shop for Dynasty Fantasy Baseball, MLB Draft, Baseball Card & MiLB Baseball content. Blending Data & Scouting into our Player Evaluation
A Giants fan living in San Diego, been playing fantasy baseball since 2005 and dynasty since 2021. Started the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast in June 2023 and joined Prospects Live in March of 2024.
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
