When I was 12 years old I played on a travel team called the Long Island Baymen. Our second baseman used to have his whole family come to every game and cheer for him every at bat. It was not out-of-the-ordinary behavior by any means.
What really stood out was that his brother, three years younger, brought his glove to every game and would have a catch with his dad.
You could tell that this 9-year-old was going to be something special. Not in the way parents describe their own son but in the way that a 12-year-old would say that he was already better than anyone on his team.
That kid was Charles Galiano, who (11 years later) just fulfilled his lifelong dream and signed a deal with the Milwaukee Brewers, after they drafted him in the 40th round earlier this month out of Fordham University.
He was also drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies out of high school in 2012.
“Both moments of getting drafted and signing were great… It is a true honor to have my name called not once but twice in the Major League Baseball Draft. Getting drafted this second time was exhilarating because it was one thing to do it out of high school standing out against high school competition, but this time I earned myself a spot in the draft standing out against the best Division 1 athletes across the country. Signing that contract was the moment I had dreamed about for years. All the times I was bored in class practicing my signature paid off for that very moment right there.
Galiano had a tremendous career for the Rams. In 2015, he hit .301 with 35 runs scored, 9 HR, 36 RBI, .370 OBP and .474 SLG. It was an improvement on last year’s .280/.348/.414 slash line in which he led the team with four home runs, drove in 28 and scored 27 runs.
The Commack grad was pleased with his development during his collegiate career.
“Just looking at it from a numbers standpoint, I have grown each year offensively and defensively in almost all categories,” he said. “Physically I have become bigger and stronger, and mentally I have become better acquainted with failure and coached on how to deal with it,” he added.
His high school accolades included being named to Bobby Valentines All-American Team and Under Armour National Baseball Team as he led the Commack Cougars to the League I League title.
None of it would be possible if not for the support of his family, whom he stated played a “monumental role in the success” of his career.
“They are always supporting me no matter where I am in the country playing. Whether its tuning into the games on the computer to watch or physically coming I always know I have someone supporting me and it is a great feeling. However my father specifically has been with me through it all from day one. I would not be anywhere near where I am now without him–he is my rock,” he added.
Now that the dream has come to fruition, the new challenge will be adjusting to the rigors of pro ball and making adjustments.
Galiano gave a very mature-beyond-his-years answer when asked what he needs to improve on in pro ball. He stated that he would like to improve on his walk to strikeout ratio in pro ball.
“I tend to get a little excited at times and try to jack the ball, but the better off-speed in the pros is likely to be very humbling if I do not modify my approach at the plate in certain situations,” he stated.
Fortunately, he is lauded for his defensive prowess which will allow his bat to develop at a slower pace and still move within the minor-league ranks.
If his past is any indication, however, he will not take much time to get acclimated to minor league pitching.
Galiano joins the ever-increasing list of Long Islanders that are playing pro ball right now proving that nobody should discredit the talent on the island being churned out by the island.
