Justin Garza | |
---|---|
San Francisco Giants | |
Pitcher | |
Born: Glendora, California, U.S. | March 20, 1994|
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
MLB debut | |
June 27, 2021, for the Cleveland Indians | |
MLB statistics (through 2023 season) | |
Win–loss record | 2–3 |
Earned run average | 5.74 |
Strikeouts | 46 |
Teams | |
Justin Charles Garza (born March 20,1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the San Francisco Giants organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox.
Garza grew up in Ontario,California,and attended Bonita High School. He was named a high school All-American as a senior by Baseball America after posting a 12–1 record on the mound with a 0.72 earned run average (ERA) and 101 strikeouts over 88 innings pitched. [1] Garza was selected in the 26th round of the 2012 MLB draft by the Cleveland Indians,but opted not to sign. [2]
Garza played college baseball for the Cal State Fullerton Titans for three seasons. As a freshman,he went 12–0 with a 2.03 ERA and a team-leading 95 strikeouts and was named the Big West Conference pitcher of the year. Garza's junior season was cut short after he suffered a partially torn UCL that required Tommy John surgery. He finished his collegiate career with 21–7 career record with a 2.64 ERA and 208 strikeouts in 252+2⁄3 innings pitched. [3]
Garza was drafted by the Cleveland Indians for a second time in the eighth round of the 2015 MLB draft. After signing with the team, Garza spent rest of the 2015 and much of the 2016 rehabbing from his surgery before being assigned to the Arizona League Indians towards the end of the season. [4] In 2017, Garza pitched for the Single-A Lake County Captains, posting a 4–6 record and 5.83 ERA in 26 appearances. In 2018, Garza split the season between the Low-A Mahoning Valley Scrappers and the High-A Lynchburg Hillcats of the Carolina League, accumulating a 5–6 record and 3.36 ERA in 18 games between the two teams. [5] In 2019, Garza returned to Lynchburg, and pitched to a 6–9 record and 4.99 ERA with 109 strikeouts in 119 innings of work. [6]
Garza did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. [7] To begin the 2021 season, he was assigned to the Akron RubberDucks of the Double-A Northeast before being promoted to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers after one appearance. In 12 games with Columbus, Garza notched a stellar 0.44 ERA with 28 strikeouts. The Indians selected Garza's contract and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time on June 24, 2021. [8] Garza made his major league debut on June 27, and pitched 2+2⁄3 innings of one-run relief with three strikeouts against the Minnesota Twins in an 8–2 loss. [9] Garza earned his first career win on July 31, 2021, after pitching two innings of scoreless relief in a 12–11 victory over the Chicago White Sox. [10]
Garza was designated for assignment by the newly-named Cleveland Guardians on November 19, 2021. [11] After clearing waivers, he was outrighted to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers on November 24, 2021. [12] In 37 relief outings for Columbus, Garza recorded a 4.64 ERA with 50 strikeouts and 7 saves across 42+2⁄3 innings pitched. He elected minor league free agency after the season on November 10, 2022. [13]
On December 12, 2022, Garza signed a one-year major league deal with the Los Angeles Angels. [14] Garza was optioned to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees to start the 2023 season. [15] He made six appearances for Salt Lake, posting a 4.32 ERA with 5 strikeouts in 8+1⁄3 innings pitched before he was designated for assignment on April 21, 2023. [16]
On April 28, 2023, Garza was claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox and was optioned to the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox. [17] He was added to Boston's active roster on May 16, [18] and optioned back to Worcester on July 8. [19] Later in July, he was briefly called up for two days. [20] In 17 games for Boston, he struggled to a 7.36 ERA with 17 strikeouts across 18+1⁄3 innings of work. Following the season on November 2, Garza was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Worcester. [21] He rejected the assignment and elected free agency on November 6. [22]
On March 7, 2024, Garza signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants. [23]
Below is a partial list of minor league baseball players in the Cleveland Guardians system.
Bryan Anthony Shaw is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Los Angeles Angels organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indians/Guardians, and Chicago White Sox.
Corey Scott Kluber is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox. He made his MLB debut in 2011 as a member of the Indians. A power pitcher, Kluber achieved high strikeout rates through a two-seam sinker and a breaking ball that variously resembled a slider and a curveball.
Lucas Lester Luetge is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Boston Red Sox organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves.
Richard Heath Hembree, nicknamed Heater, is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Seattle Mariners organization. Listed at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and 220 pounds (100 kg), Hembree throws and bats right-handed. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the San Francisco Giants in 2013 and has also played for the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Tampa Bay Rays.
Justin Scott Grimm is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers and Oakland Athletics.
Zachary Thomas Godley is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, and Milwaukee Brewers.
Kyle David Barraclough is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Texas Rangers organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Miami Marlins, Washington Nationals, San Francisco Giants, Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels, and Boston Red Sox.
Zach Robert Plesac is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball at Ball State University. The Cleveland Indians selected him in the 12th round of the 2016 MLB draft and he made his MLB debut for them in 2019.
Logan Shane Allen is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians/Guardians, and Baltimore Orioles. Allen was drafted by the Boston Red Sox out of IMG Academy in the 8th round of the 2015 MLB Draft.
Matthew Phillip Dermody is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, and Boston Red Sox. He has also played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Saitama Seibu Lions and in the KBO League for the NC Dinos.
Shane Robert Bieber is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos baseball team as a walk-on. He was drafted by the Indians in the fourth round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft. Bieber made his MLB debut with Cleveland in 2018, was named an All-Star in 2019 and 2021, and received the American League's 2020 Cy Young Award.
Konnor Chase Pilkington is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Guardians.
Mauricio Alejandro Llovera is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher in the Seattle Mariners organization. Llovera signed with the Philadelphia Phillies as an international free agent in 2015, and made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with them in 2020. He has also played in MLB for the San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox.
Phillips Chalier Valdéz is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the El Águila de Veracruz of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox.
Jordan Blake Weems is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Oakland Athletics and Arizona Diamondbacks. He was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the third round of the 2011 MLB draft and he made his MLB debut with the Athletics in 2020.
Joshua Randol Fleming is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Tampa Bay Rays.
Zachary Ryan Thompson is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Miami Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 5th round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft.
Cody McKinley Morris is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Cleveland Guardians. He played college baseball at the University of South Carolina, and was drafted by Cleveland in the seventh round of the 2018 MLB draft.
Kyle Wade Tyler is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Padres.