Garza gets fresh start in Tampa
Posted on February 15th, 2008 – 9:20 AMBy Joe Christensen
Delmon Young and Matt Garza both have tremendous upsides. Both were frustrated when they felt their previous organizations were holding them back, and both are getting a change of scenery this spring.
Garza, pictured here in the St. Petersburg Times, showed up for camp with the Tampa Bay Rays and reflected on last spring with the Twins. He told beat writer Marc Topkin, it was “a shock” when the Twins sent him back to Class AAA Rochester at the end of spring, going with a rotation that included Sidney Ponson, Ramon Ortiz and Carlos Silva.
“That was disappointing,” the 24-year-old right-hander said. “They kept a couple guys I felt I was, I could have done maybe, probably, even better than. It was a rude awakening, a humbling feeling.”
Knowing he has a job as the projected No.3 starter, Garza said he’ll use the spring trying to improve rather than impress.
“My whole mentality was, ‘Win a spot, win a spot, win a spot,”‘ Garza said. “Now it’s more get ready for that spot and take it to the next level. Try to be that guy. Everyone wants to be that (Johan) Santana. I want to take it to the next level.”


