Matt Garza
From BR Bullpen
Matthew Scott Garza
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 4", Weight 185 lb.
- School Fresno State University
- High School Washington Union High School
- Debut August 11, 2006
- Born November 26, 1983 in Selma, CA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Matt Garza had a horrendous first year in college at Fresno State University in 2003, going 1-6 with a 9.55 ERA and a WHIP of 2.17, yet he would be in the major leagues three years later. In 2004, he improved to 6-3, 4.90. Then, in 2005, Matt went 6-5 with a 3.07 ERA and 120 strikeouts in 108 innings. He was named the Western Athletic Conference pitcher of the year, finishing fourth in ERA and second in strikeouts. The Minnesota Twins took him with the 25th pick of the 1st round in the 2005 Amateur Draft, an odd fate for a 13-14 collegiate pitcher.
In 2005, Garza went 1-1, 3.66 in four starts for the Elizabethton Twins, holding opponents to a 2.00 average and striking out 25 while walking 6 in 19 2/3 IP. He also was 3-3, 3.54 for the Beloit Snappers with 64 K's and 15 BB in 56 IP. Despite joining the Midwest League relatively late in the year, he was ranked the #10 prospect in the circuit.
Matt continued his meteoric rise through the Twins system in 2006, crediting some of the advancement to Rick Anderson's adjusting his leg kick in spring training. He went 5-1 with a 1.42 ERA for the Fort Myers Miracle, with 53 K in 44 1/3 IP and a WHIP of .86. He was moved up to the New Britain Rock Cats (6-2, 2.51, 68 K in 57 1/3, .94 WHIP) and then to the Rochester Red Wings (3-1, 1.85, 33 K in 34 IP, .79 WHIP). After a 16-4 year in the minors, he was called up to Minnesota and made his major league debut on August 11. Matt had the 5th-lowest ERA in the minors that year (1.99) and his .179 opponent average tied him for second-lowest among starters, even with Philip Hughes. Baseball America rated him as having the best control in the Eastern League and as having the best breaking pitch in the Florida State League.
Garza was to pitch for the US in the 2007 Futures Game but was called up to the majors. Kevin Mulvey took his roster spot. Instead, he pitched the remainder of the year for the Twins, going 5-7 in 15 starts with a solid 3.69 ERA. After the season, he was included in a big trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, alongside shortstop Jason Bartlett in return for outfielder Delmon Young and infielder Brendan Harris; the trade was unusual in that both sides included a top draft pick who had just established himself in the major leagues.
Matt Garza was a major contributor to the Rays' unexpected surge to the top of the American League in 2008. He made 30 starts for his new team, with a superficially unremarkable 11-9 record, but his 3.70 ERA and 128 strikeouts in 184 innings were a better indicator of how well he pitched. He lost his only start in the ALDS, but was outstanding against the Boston Red Sox in the Championship Series: in two starts, he gave up only 2 earned runs on 8 hits in 13 innings and was credited with two wins, including the clinching Game 7 that sent the Rays to the 2008 World Series. His performance earned him the ALCS MVP honors.
Garza had a 8-12, 3.95 record for the 2009 Rays with 189 strikeouts in 203 innings. He was 4th in the 2009 AL in fewest hits per 9 innings (7.85) and was 9th in whiffs but also tied Ricky Romero for second with 79 walks, trailing only A.J. Burnett. He tied for 7th in the league in losses.
On July 26, 2010, Garza pitched the first no-hitter in the history of the Tampa Bay Rays, blanking the Detroit Tigers 5-0; he allowed only a walk in the game, to Brennan Boesch who was immediately erased on a double play, and faced the minimum 27 batters in the gem. He finished the season with a record of 15-10, 3.91 as both he and David Price beat the previous franchise record for wins in a season, held since 1998 by Rolando Arrojo. He also struck out 150 batters in 204. 2/3 innings and recorded the first save of his career in an emergency appearance out of the bullpen. In the postseason, he gave up only 1 run in 6 innings in his only start of the ALDS against the Texas Rangers but was not involved in the decision as the Rays bowed out in five games. After the season, with the Rays rich in starting pitchers both at the major league and minor league level, he was traded to the Chicago Cubs along with two minor leaguers in return for five prospects.
Sources include 2006-2007 Baseball Almanacs, Minorleaguebaseball.com
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 2008 ALCS MVP
- AL Shutouts Leader (2008)
- 15 Wins Seasons: 1 (2010)
- 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 2 (2009 & 2010)
