The Twins selected Matt Garza as their first round pick during the 2005 June Draft, and he appears to be a great selection. Out of Fresno State, Garza showed the ability to dominate in his first season of professional baseball, and should once again be toeing the rubber for the Beloit Snappers in 2005. Very mature for his age, Garza should move rapidly through the Twins farm system in 2006.

Garza’s collegiate career got off to a slow start for Fresno State, as he looked overmatched as a freshman. He posted only one win, against six losses, and had a 9.55 earned run average. Due to his makeup, Garza overcame eye surgery and naysayers, to turn himself into one of the better pitchers in college baseball over his last two seasons. He is also the kind of kid that knows about responsibility, being a young father and husband.

He began his professional career with the Elizabethton Twins, and quickly showed he did not belong in the Appalachian League. He made four starts for the Twins, and showed that he was ready for the next level. In his four starts, Garza went 1-1, posted a 3.65 earned run average, and struck out 25 batters in 20 innings of work.

After his call-up to Beloit of the Midwest League, Garza continued to impress, joining some of the best prospects in the organization in Beloit’s starting rotation. He started ten games for the Snappers during the 2005 season, and again finished with an ERA well below 4.00. He also struck out better than a batter per inning, and finished the year as then tenth best prospect in the Midwest League. In 56 innings of work, Garza struck out 64 batters, en-route to winning three games.

He will be closely watched this season, as the Twins may move him up fast if he gets out to a fast start. Look for him to anchor the Beloit pitching staff at the beginning of the year.

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 had a successful season with the Rays, going 11-9 while posting a 3.70 ERA. He also earned MVP honors for the ALCS in which he helped the Rays beat the Boston Red Sox by posting a 1.38 ERA in two starts, and earning the decisive victory in game 7 of the ALCS.