By: Ken Lipshez
New Britain Herald Press

True to his laid-back, California surfer boy nature, nothing flusters Matt
Garza.

The former New Britain Rock Cats righthander began the 2006 season as a
prospect in the depths of Class A.

Talent and confidence pushed him up the ladder in record time. He made a
mockery of the natural five-year timetable it takes most players to make
the journey from A-ball to the big time. He made the jump in three months
and three days.

No matter where he took the mound, the 6-foot-4, 205-pounder from Fresno
never flinched. His 3-6 record and 5.76 ERA in 10 games with Minnesota
failed to earn him a spot on the postseason roster. Although he posted a
1.50 ERA in six Grapefruit League games, he'll begin the season with the
Triple-A Rochester Red Wings.

Are the setbacks likely to deter him? Don't bet on it. The former Fresno
State star doesn't allow things he can't control to shake his confidence,
just like he didn't let his rapid ascent in the organization go to his
head.

"(When I was in A-ball) I was just thinking about trying to get to
Double-A and when I got to Double-A, trying to get to Triple-A," Garza
said. "I figured I'd get (to Minnesota) and give it a shot. Things
happened. They called my name, they called my number."

Garza, 23, overwhelmed Florida State League hitters the first month of
last season. He went 5-1 with a 1.42 ERA, struck out 53 in 44 1/3 innings
and his batting average against number was .169.

Double-A usually represents a more difficult hurdle but he adjusted to the
Eastern League instantly.

Within two weeks, he was EL Pitcher of the Week on the strength of 7 2/3
scoreless innings and 13 strikeouts on May 18.

In his 10-game New Britain stay, Garza went 6-2 with a 2.51 ERA, struck
out 68 in 57 1/3 innings and allowed EL batters to hit but .190.

He was on his way to Rochester July 15, and Triple-A hitters posed no more
a threat than those at the lower levels. Two of his five starts resulted
in complete games. Even the more mature International League hitters
managed to bat just .174. His 3-1 record and 1.85 ERA completed an
unprecedented tour of the Twins' top three minor-league cities.

Only three players in franchise history ever climbed the ladder faster. He
thrust himself right into the playoff picture.

"You can't trade that in for anything," he said. "You go up in the middle
of a playoff hunt. It was awesome. Every game counted. Every game was
do-or-die for us. We came back from a 12-game deficit and just to fight
for a wild-card spot was awesome. It was a great atmosphere to play in."

When the regular season concluded, Garza had pitched in 33 games and
logged 185 2/3 innings. He made the most of his time with the Twins.

"I was up there in the rotation. I went from number-three guy to off the
roster for the playoffs, but it was the best thing for me," he said. "I
was getting tired. I was up here (on guts alone) the last two weeks of the
season and I think they knew it.

"It was a long season. I didn't know it would be that long but it was the
best thing for me. I was able to sit back and watch guys like (Brad) Radke
and (Johan) Santana throw. I was sitting in awe wondering how they do it.
I was king of picking apart their brains. I learned a lot in those two
months."

Garza spent much of the winter in the weight room when he wasn't seeing to
the needs of his two children.

"I got situated and got in the weight room a lot," he said. "I was in the
weight room every day the last three-and-a-half months. I'd get up, make
the kids breakfast, take my son to preschool, take my daughter to daycare
and lift from 11 to 2:30. I was playing the stay-home dad. I got real
focused and came back probably in the best shape I've ever been in."

He had a good run in big-league camp before getting sent to the
minor-league complex late last week.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire provided the following reason for the
decision to the Associated Press: "We've been thinking about it over and
over again, trying to decide what's best for this young man and our
ballclub. He needs to be able to locate his pitches a little bit more.

"You have to be able to locate all of your pitches besides your fastball.
You can survive in spring training into six or seven innings with your
fastball. You can't do that in the big leagues. He'll mature out there
after a couple of weeks."

Garza goes to Triple-A with a firm knowledge of what he has to do.

"I'm trying to readjust my mechanics compared to last year," he said.
"Toward the end of last year I got tired. And I'm changing weapons by
mixing in my offspeed pitches a lot better.

"They're coming. I'm not in midseason form because I'm still in early
shape. You can tell because my breaking ball is still coming out a little
too sharp at this point. But I've been throwing pretty well."

Although he'll begin in Rochester, prevailing thought is that he won't be
there for long. Even if it's longer than he would prefer, don't expect him
to show it.

"I'm just up there biding my time," he said. "Every day's just a new day."

04/02/2007