(1) I am intrigued by Gallardo's 2009 campaign, and what it promises. The young ace-in-training has more talent than any pitcher on the Brewers' staff, taking into account both his control and his stuff, as well as his results thus far. He also accmulated the largest bag of question marks in the rotation, given his freakish 2008 and his low IP total, raising questions about his health and his stamina to complete an entire season in 2009. 

Part of me thinks that it is rather clear that Gallardo can and will be an above average pitcher even in limited time in the rotation -- but my real concern is whether or not questions about health and stamina will eventually override that performance. On that note, I believe that the fact that Gallardo did not play winter ball will impact his ability to place innings on his arm in 2009.

Normally I agree with arguments for watching a young pitcher's innings and pitch workload. But Gallardo doesn't present as a normal case after 2008. What rests in my mind is conventional evidence -- uttered by some former players (most notably Tommy John) and coaches; evidence that states that if a pitcher wants to strengthen his arm, rest is not the way to do it. I would, in that regard, feel better about Gallardo's chances to succeed in 2009 if he had pitched a tour in a winter league bullpen, perhaps pitching long relief, working on pitching small amounts or small workloads frequently.

I don't believe Gallardo needs to be rushed right in to the starting rotation. The Brewers have enough starting pitchers and enough days off in April and May to start Gallardo periodically, and then build up his stamina through other more frequent appearances from the bullpen. It'd also be advantageous to control his appearances early in the season, to keep him from pitching in cold weather or inclimate conditions.

That said, I don't believe stamina will keep Gallardo from pitching at an above average level. I am just not sure that we ought to expect a full ace season from him, either. Between the bullpen and the rotation, Gallardo can eat valuable innings for the Brewers, and build up that arm for a full 2010 campaign. 

I firmly believe that Gallardo's treatment by the coaching staff, and placement in the rotation, must be towards the future. I believe Macha has already captured this somewhat by not pitching Gallardo first in the rotation; now it's time to move beyond that and put him in a situation where his stamina does not harm him. Manny Parra's 2008 would be a perfect example of what not to do -- simply allow a young pitcher to take a mound continuously, without any clear plan in place to limit IP and pitch workloads in the bullpen or minors. 

It doesn't require much -- just use Gallardo as a swingman in April, and begin pitching him more regularly into May, to prepare him for four full months of starting. I do not believe that being preventive or pre-emptive with Gallardo's arm can be a bad thing.

(2) Yovani Gallardo: 30 G, 24 GS, 159.7 IP, 144 H, 73 R, 137 K/65 BB; 14 HR, 3 HBP; Average defensive efficiency (between .295 and .305 BABIP). 4.11 runs average, 5.32 IP/G. 15 quality starts (.625).

I see no reason to expect Gallardo to receive anything other than average defensive efficiency, given the fact that he will probably rely on the defense less than any other Brewers' starter (due to his strike out rate). His control is slightly affected by a larger workload, but with an average defense behind him, he is not punished by a slight dip in control numbers (see K/BB).

As an extension of not expecting an ace season out of Gallardo, I also do not believe that the lack of an ace season will harm the  Brewers' chances to compete. This season is much more about quality-depth than ace-quality in the rotation, and the Brewers should take advantage of this situation by easing Gallardo into a starting role, and allowing him to pitch four full months in the rotation.