From Miracles to Majors

After starting season with Fort Myers, Matt Garza makes jump to Minnesota

By David Dorsey
Fort Myers Miracle

Matt Garza ascended to the major leagues the fastest of any member of the Fort Myers Miracle.

The Minnesota Twins promoted Garza, a 6-foot-4, 22-year-old, right-handed pitcher to the big leagues Tuesday. They project him to take the fifth spot in their starting rotation Friday, when the Twins will take on the Toronto Blue Jays at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.

No Miracle player has reached the big leagues faster from the time he was drafted than Garza. The Twins took Garza in the first round, as the 25th overall pick, in the 2005 draft out of Fresno State University.

"Obviously, he dominated at all three levels," Twins minor league director Jim Rantz said. "He's really pitched well. We're in the hunt, and we're looking for that guy who can add to the starting rotation."

Garza is about to pull off a rarity in professional baseball: playing in Class A, Double-A, Triple-A and, Friday, in the major leagues during the same season.

In the 15-year history of the Miracle, only one other player has gotten three such promotions in the same season: Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz did so in 1997.

"We're obviously thrilled for him," Miracle manager Kevin Boles said of Garza. "It's the best feeling in the world to watch a guy go to the big leagues. He put in the work. We always tell the guys, 'Sooner rather than later.' "

The news circulated quickly through the Miracle clubhouse.

"We'll get to see him on TV," outfielder Deacon Burns said. "We'll start watching him. We didn't see this coming so soon. But he proved it down here. He proved it in Double-A. He proved it in Triple-A. We're happy for him."

"He's motivated unlike anybody I've ever seen," Miracle pitcher Anthony Swarzak said. "He's definitely a man on a mission this year. When you have numbers like that, it's a waste for him to stay in one league."

Garza's promotion had nothing to do with Twins starter Francisco Liriano's possible trip to the disabled list, Twins assistant general manager Bill Smith said. It had everything to do with trying to solidify the fifth starter's spot held previously by Scott Baker, Boof Bonser and Mike Smith, who was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday to make room on the roster for Garza.

Liriano, who pitched for the Miracle in 2004, injured his left, throwing elbow in Monday's game, and his status remains uncertain.

Garza's rapid rise provided hope to the Miracle players who aspire to reach the big leagues.

"He was across the locker room just four months ago," Miracle pitcher Tim Lahey said. "With his stuff and the way he dominated, this certainly doesn't come as a surprise."

GARZA’S PRO CAREER

Fort Myers (Class A): In eight starts, Garza went 5-1, with a 1.42 ERA, 53 strikeouts and 11 walks.

New Britain (Double-A): In 10 starts, he went 6-2, with a 2.51 ERA, 68 strikeouts and 14 walks.

Rochester (Triple-A): In five starts, he went 3-1, with a 1.85 ERA, 33 strikeouts and seven walks.

RISING FASTBALL

Matt Garza, who began this season with the Class A Fort Myers Miracle and is expected to start in the major leagues for the Minnesota Twins on Friday, accomplished a rare feat for a minor-leaguer.

Very few players move from Class A to Double-A, Triple-A and then to the big leagues during the same season. Here's a look at a few of them who are still active in the majors:

Orlando Cabrera: Now the Angels' shortstop, he went from West Palm Beach (A) to Harrisburg (AA) to Ottawa (AAA) to the Montreal Expos in 1997.

Shawn Estes: The Padres' pitcher went from Wisconsin (A) to Burlington (A) to San Jose (AA) to Shreveport (AAA) to the San Francisco Giants in 1995.

Andrew Jones: The Braves' outfielder went from Durham (A) to Greenville (AA) to Richmond (AAA) to Atlanta in 1996.

Cliff Lee: The Indians' pitcher went from Kinston (A) to Akron (AA) to Buffalo (AAA) to Cleveland in 2003, although he spent all of 2002 at those levels as well.

David Ortiz: The Red Sox's designated hitter went from Fort Myers (A) to New Britain (AA) to Salt Lake City (AAA) to the Minnesota Twins in 1997.