Opening Day Countdown: Gallardo’s 35 AB/HR Rate

As we continue to countdown to Opening Day, let’s take a look at Yovani Gallardo and the excitement that came not when he walked up to the mound, but when he came up to bat. His career average has been 35 at-bats per home run during his MLB career. Back on August, 20^th, 2007 Gallardo made sure to make his mark against former Brewers’ pitcher Doug Davis as he made pitchers think twice about just throwing the ball straight down the plate as it was only his 13^th start in his rookie season against the Diamondbacks.

Let’s take a look at his first home run with Uecker’s classic line, “Get Up, Get Outta Here, Gone!” at Chase Field:

Thus far, Gallardo has had a total of 12 HRs in his career. Although, we don’t like to usually highlight a pitcher’s career by their batting statistics, 2010 was the peak season for Gallardo at the plate as he had a career high in every single one of these categories with the Brewers – 4 HRs, 10 RBIs along with a .254/.329/.508 batting line. No wonder why he was elected to his first All-Star game!

More from Reviewing the Brew

• Brewers: 4 Players Who Must Step Up for the Crew to Make the Playoffs
• Brewers: Yet Another Huge Promotion For Top Prospect Jackson Chourio
• Brewers Making Colossal Mistake With Corbin Burnes’ Contract
• Which Players May Be In The Final Month Of Their Brewers Careers?
• Brewers: Where Does Devin Williams Stand In NL Reliever Of The Year Race?

Trying to line up where Gallardo is with the other pitchers currently still playing, we can take a look at his former teammate in 2012 and 2013, Zack Greinke. He’s had a 48.5 AB/HR with 6 HRs in his career, although to be fair hitting it out of Dodger Stadium takes a bit more for any batter. But, someone like Madison Bumgarner, he can’t outdo even at AT&T Park as he averages 33.4 AB/HR with a total of 11 HRs. To make Brewers fans cringe only one is above Gallardo at the top of the list in HRs from 2007-2015 and that’s Carlos Zambrano with 14 as his career average for AB/HR was 28.9. Not bad considering Zambrano’s last appearance in the big leagues was with the Marlins in 2012.

Recently, Gallardo has signed with the Orioles as contract negotiations have had their ups and downs. After he was dealt to the Rangers before the start of the 2015 season, fans lost a stable Opening Day starter and solid at-bat for the pitcher’s spot at the bottom of the order. He only had 4 plate appearances for the Rangers, but made the most of it going 2-4 with a double.

So, as the debate will always continue whether pitchers should continue to come up to bat in the NL, Brewers fans will remember there might be a highlight to watch when Yovani Gallardo comes up to the plate.