Matt Garza

Matt Garza
Tampa Bay Rays – No. 22
Starting Pitcher
Bats: Right Throws: Right
debut
August 11, 2006, for the Minnesota Twins
Career statistics (through October 12, 2008)
Win-Loss	19-22
Strikeouts	233
Earned run average	4.02
Teams
Minnesota Twins (2006-2007) Tampa Bay Rays (2008-present)

Matthew Scott Albidrez-Garza (born November 26, 1983 in Selma, California) is a right-handed starting pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays. Garza was the 25th pick of the first round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft. He attended Washington Union High School and Fresno State University.

Career

2006

Entering 2006, Garza was ranked as the Minnesota Twins seventh-best prospect by Baseball America. He gained attention for rising through the ranks of the Twins' minor league system, starting the season at Single-A Fort Myers and ending at the major league level, pitching with the Double-A New Britain Rock Cats and the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings in between. Garza was a combined 14-4 at the three minor league levels in 2006, with a 1.99 ERA and 154 strikeouts in 135 ⅔ innings. He earned All-Star berths in the Class A Florida State League and Class AA Eastern League. Backed by those numbers, Garza earned the USA Today Minor League Player of the Year Award for 2006, the second consecutive year in which a Twin won the award (in 2005, Garza's teammate Francisco Liriano was the winner). On August 8, Minnesota purchased Garza's contract, promoting him to the majors to replace the injured Liriano. Garza is one of a small number of players to advance through the minors and reach the major league level in a single season. On August 11, his major league debut, Garza allowed seven earned runs in 2 ⅔ innings to the Toronto Blue Jays. Garza earned his first win on August 23 against the Baltimore Orioles, allowing just one unearned run in six innings.

2007

Entering 2007, Garza was rated as the top prospect in the Twins organization and the 21st-best prospect in Major League Baseball by Baseball America. Garza did not make the Twins rotation out of spring training, being assigned to Rochester instead. He was recalled to the Minnesota Twins on June 28 after being passed by other Twins pitching prospects such as Kevin Slowey and Scott Baker due to disagreements with the club over his pitch selection. He was selected to the 2007 All-Star Futures Game in San Francisco, but did not get to participate due to his call up to the major league club. On July 6, in a game against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field, Garza became the first Twins pitcher to bat in an American League game since Allan Anderson in 1989. Garza was put in the eight-spot when catcher Mike Redmond left the game after his head was cut by Jim Thome's bat on a backswing. Joe Mauer, the designated hitter for the game, replaced Redmond as the catcher, forcing Garza into the lineup. On July 29, Garza recorded a career-high 11 strikeouts in six innings against the Cleveland Indians.

2008

On November 28, 2007, the Twins traded Garza along with Jason Bartlett and Eduardo Morlan to the Tampa Bay Rays for Delmon Young, Jason Pridie, and Brendan Harris. Garza has so far has a successful season with the Rays, going 11-9 while posting a 3.70 ERA.

Scouting

Garza throws a 2-seam fastball that varies anywhere from 90-93 mph, as well as a 4-seam fastball that varies from 92-95 mph that can, on occasion, reach 98. His arsenal is also comprised of a big, breaking curveball that he throws for 74-77 mph, a tight slider in the low 80s, and a rare changeup he uses to fool hitters.

Personal life

Matt is engaged to his high-school sweetheart, Serina. Their first child, Matthew (b. 2002), was born a few days after they graduated from high school. They also have a daughter, Sierra (b. 2005).

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference
• "Garza takes wild ride in stride" - Minnesota Public Radio
• No. 25 - MLN FAB50 Baseball 2006
• Video of Matt Garza warming up in the bullpen