Matt Garza

[quiksilver]

Can anybody give me a little insight on him? Any Twins fans heard of him out there? He was the Twins 2005 1st round pick, a RHP.

After today's game his 2006 stats look like this in Advanced-A Ball this season, through 4 starts:

3-0 (W-L), 18.1 IP, 9 Hits, 6 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 27 K

Pretty impressive. As far as I can tell he is a good looking prospect, but might be living in the shadows of the Liriano hype, and I'd expect him to get a call to AA at some point this season.


From a fantasy perspective, would you draft him in a minor league draft at around #75 overall or is that a big risk considering other bigger name options out there?

[Dravecky43]

He played here at Fresno State for three seasons. Came in well-regarded in the community after playing HS ball locally. Had major control problems, though. As a freshman in 2003, he didn't do too well:
1-6, 9.55 ERA, 43 1/3 IP over 19 G (9 GS), 63 H, 31 BB, 21 K
Garza's sophomore year was a bit better:
6-3, 4.90, 90 IP in 27 G (9 GS), 103 H, 34 BB, 77K, 5 Saves
And then the junior year he really stood out. He must have just matured and gained control enough:
6-5, 3.07, 108 1/3 IP in 19 G (17 GS), 110 H, 37 BB, 120 K, 1 Save

If you just look at his entire career stats, it doesn't look too pretty. But by the time he was a junior, he was hitting an easy 95 with his fastball and had 2 or 3 other pitches that he had control with. I really think the Twins got themselves a very good young pitcher. I'd wait a year to take him in a fantasy draft, though.

[Dravecky43]

Hehe, maybe I was wrong. I hope you didn't take my advice or didn't see it in time. In High-A and AA this season, Garza is 7-1, 1.09 with 75 K in 57 1/3 IP. He has given up 32 hits and walked 13. Wow. I know the Twins have a full rotation, but they might have to make room for him very soon...