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Anthony Gallas Having a Great Time at Indians' Training Camp

Former Strongsville High School star is loving his big league experience

Anthony Gallas’ presence in the Cleveland Indians’ spring training camp took many by surprise. He’s not sneaking up on anybody this year, though.

Despite setting records at Kent State, the former star went undrafted in 2010. The and see if his 49 homers, 224 RBI and .339 average over four seasons with the Golden Flashes were more than a collegiate flash.

Gallas opened eyes during the first half of 2011, when he batted .314 with six homers and 21 RBI in 57 games for the Lake County Captains. Promoted to Kinston (N.C.), he slumped. Badly – as in a .197 average with two homers and 34 strikeouts in 39 games.

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“It was quite an experience,” Gallas said. “I think I wore down mentally, so this spring training is important for me. I’m working as hard as I can. I saw what a great life this can be.

“In the offseason, I worked at a baseball school and did some real estate stuff because it is good to have other things to fall back on. People say, ‘You can make more money doing this or that.’ Uh, no you can’t. And you definitely don’t have as much fun.”

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• Check out Chuck Murr's companion story, , for more on the former SHS baseball star.

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Gallas’ good first half a year ago has the Indians more than just a little intrigued.

“As an undrafted player, Anthony is going to have to fight and scrap and claw his way at every level just to be recognized,” said Ross Atkins, the Indians’ director of player development. “He did that a year ago, for half a season. He’s got to step up again.

“Was that first half exciting to us? Sure. It was a great story. We’d love to see him learn from his entire season and progress.”

Gallas said he doesn’t think leaving a “comfort zone” of playing at Lake County, about a half hour from his Strongsville home, had anything to do with his second-half slide.

“Going to North Carolina was fine, that was no excuse for me,” he said. “I played summer ball in Virginia a couple of times. I had been away from home, so that had nothing to do with it. I think I can make the adjustments I need, though.”

Ted Kubiak believes Gallas can continue to make strides.

“He’s one of my favorite guys,” said Kubiak, who managed Gallas at Lake County.  “He’s a big, strong kid with good hands at the plate. He moved up a level and had to adjust. He didn’t do it as quickly as he wanted, or we wanted. Let’s see what he can do with more experience.”

Atkins cautions that Gallas still has quite an uphill battle.

“As an outfielder, you can’t just be a hitter, you have to be a great hitter,” Atkins said. “Just to be a fourth outfielder in the big leagues, you have to hit. Look at Ben Francisco. He won a batting title (at Triple-A). Luke Scott has power, hits for average. Just to get a roster spot, look what they had to do to get there. It is not an easy process.”

Gallas said that while he is more relaxed this year in camp, he believes the workouts are tougher and more demanding.

“It is different than a year ago, we are doing much more and that’s definitely a good thing for me,” he said. “I’m always going to be a guy with his back against the wall, being undrafted. I have to outwork guys, outhustle them and outproduce them.

“I was proud of my first half, but I think I learned how demanding a full season is on a player. It is very long. I held up physically, but was amazed at how mentally draining it can be. The day-to-day focus you put in is incredible. I’m better prepared this year.

“Still, I know I have to make more adjustments. Those guys I faced last year are making adjustments, too. They are getting better. It is a constant process.

“But I’m having a great time. Being a pro ballplayer is a dream come true.”


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