Matt Garza
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
|
|---|---|
| Minnesota Twins — No. 21 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| Major League Baseball debut | |
| August 11, 2006 for the Minnesota Twins | |
| Selected MLB statistics (through August 23, 2006) |
|
| Starts | 3 |
| Wins-Losses | 3-5 |
| ERA | 5.39 |
| Strikeouts | 8 |
Matthew Scott Garza (born November 11, 1983 in Selma, California) is a right handed starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins. Garza was the first round draft pick of the Minnesota Twins in 2005. He attended school at Washington Union High School in Easton, Ca and Fresno State University.
Garza gained attention for rising through the ranks of the minor league system, starting the 2006 season at Single-A Fort Myers Miracle, quickly going to Double-A New Britain Rock Cats and then to Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. In his third start at Triple-A Rochester, Garza pitched a three-hit shutout, while throwing 127 pitches, well above the limit for Twins minor league pitchers.
The Twins purchased Garza's contract, promoting him to the majors to replace an injured Francisco Liriano, on August 8, 2006. Garza is one of a small number of players to advance through the minors and reach the Major League level in a single season, and his doing so in the notoriously protective Twins system is a strong testament to his rapidly developing skills. In his first major league appearance against the Toronto Blue Jays, he allowed seven earned runs in 2⅔ innings, while striking out two, elevating his ERA to 23.62. Garza earned his first win on August 23, against the Baltimore Orioles, pitching six innings, allowing only one unearned run.
[edit] Highlights
- Garza was a combined 14-4 at three minor league levels in 2006, with a 1.99 ERA and 154 strikeouts in 135 2/3 innings. He earned All-Star berths in the Class A Florida State League and Class AA Eastern League. Backed by those numbers, Garza was named USA TODAY's Minor League Player of the Year for 2006. This is the second consecutive year a Twin has won the award. In 2005, Garza's teammate, left-hander Francisco Liriano, was the winner.
[edit] External links
- Garza takes wild ride in stride (Minnesota Public Radio).
- No. 25 - MLN FAB50 Baseball 2006 - Minor League News
- Fresno State page
- MLB page
- RotoWire stats page
- The Book on Matt Garza from "ScoutingBook.com"
- Video of Matt Garza warming up in the bullpen
- Picture is courtesy of Red Wings baseball and 20 Toe Photo.
