Sunday, August 7, 2011

Minor league comparison

In Jim Gallagher and Justin Bianco, Peters Township has produced a pair of high-draft choices in recent years.

Gallagher, 25, was a seventh-round pick of the Chicago White Sox following his junior year at Duke. Bianco, 18, was recently selected in the third round by the Arizona Diamondbacks, believed to be the highest selection for a player from Washington County.

Gallagher and Bianco are currently on opposite ends of the minor league ladder. Gallagher is a converted infielder for the Chartlotte Knights, the AAA-affiliate of the White Sox. Bianco is playing rookie ball for the Missoula (Mont.) Osprey.

Through 37 games, Bianco is batting .220 (31-for-141) with seven 2B, two HR, 19 RBI and 54 K. He's also getting adjusted to running bases at the professional level, with only two successful steals in seven attempts. Over his last five games, however, Bianco appears to be making progress. He's had seven hits, and has not been caught stealing.

Gallagher, a teammate of former Pirates outfielder Lastings Milledge and can't-miss prospect Mark Teahan, hasn't played since July 25 and is on the temporary inactive list. art of the White Sox 40-man roster, Gallagher sports a .252 average (93-for-369) with 55 runs, 32 2B, 6 HR, 46 RBI and 54 walks.

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