Matt Garza

Matt Garza is a Major League Baseball player currently pitching for the Tampa Bay Rays as a starter.

Garza attended Washington Union High School in Easton, California. After graduating Hish School, Garza went onto college at Fresno State University where he continued to pursue his baseball career.MLB.com: Jamie Moyer

Garza was drafted in the MLB Draft in 2006 by the Minnesota Twins. Baseball America ranked him as the Twins seventh-best prospect. He earned the USA Today Minor League Player of the Year Award for 2006. Garza worked hard through the minors until he reached the majors level with AA affiliates the New Britian Rock Cats. The 2007 season came, but Garza didn't perform well enough during spring training to move up to the Twins major league roster. MLB.com: Jamie Moyer

Eventually the Twins did call Garza up and on July 6, 2007, Garza became the first Twin pitcher to bat since 1989 when Allan Anderson held the honors. November 28, 2008, Garza was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays with fellow team mates Jason Bartlett and Eduardo Morlan. MLB.com: Jamie Moyer

Garza has a few pitches that range in speeds. His fastball reaches speeds of 93-97 mph. Not only can his fastball zip by you but he creates a great sinking action with it. Garza's curveball hits speeds of 74-77 mph, while his slider tops in at 80 mph.

Pitching a game against the Seattle Mariners, Garza was injured and diagnosed as radial nerve inflammation in his pitching arm leaving him on the disabled injury list. Garza said it began at the end of the 2007 season but just worked through the pain. When his hand went numb and he could no longer hold the ball, he knew it was time to have it checked. MLB.com: Jamie Moyer

• 2005: Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 1st round
• 2007: Traded to Tampa Bay Rays

• Mahalo's Guide to the Tampa Bay Rays
• Baseball-Reference.com: Career Stats
  • Height: 6'4"
  • Weight: 205 Lbs.
  • Rookie Year: 2006

• 1983: Born November 26 in Selma, California

• 2003-06: Attended Fresno State University

• 2006: Selected in the MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins

• 2006: Pitched for AA New Britian Rock Cats and AAA Rochester Red Wings

• 2008: Traded to the Tampa Bay Rays

• 2008: Starting pitcher for Game 3 of 2008 World Series

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