Amir Garrett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Amir Garrett |
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Garrett with the Omaha Storm Chasers in 2022
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| Toronto Blue Jays | |||
| Pitcher | |||
| Born: May 3, 1992 Victorville, California, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| April 7, 2017, for the Cincinnati Reds | |||
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) |
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| Win–loss record | 13–19 | ||
| Earned run average | 4.96 | ||
| Strikeouts | 383 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Amir Jamal Garrett (born May 3, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher. He is currently part of the Toronto Blue Jays organization. Before joining the Blue Jays, he played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, and Los Angeles Angels. Garrett also played college basketball for the St. John's Red Storm before focusing completely on baseball. The Reds drafted him in 2011, and he made his MLB debut in 2017.
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Amir Garrett's Early Life and Baseball Start
Amir Garrett started high school at Sierra Vista High School in Spring Valley, Nevada. He then moved to Leuzinger High School in Lawndale, California, for his junior year. For his senior year in 2010, he transferred again to Findlay College Prep in Henderson, Nevada. Findlay did not have a baseball team.
His father encouraged him to try baseball again. Garrett held a special training session for Major League Baseball (MLB) scouts. During this session, he threw a fastball that reached speeds of over 96 miles per hour.
How Garrett Joined Professional Baseball
In the 2011 MLB draft, the Cincinnati Reds picked Garrett in the 22nd round. He signed with the Reds, receiving a $1 million signing bonus. The Reds also allowed him to continue playing basketball. In the fall of 2011, Garrett attended Bridgton Academy in Bridgton, Maine. He played on their basketball team during the 2011–12 season.
Amir Garrett's College Basketball Journey
Before college, Garrett was a highly rated basketball player. He was considered a four-star recruit, ranking 68th in the country. He was also the 21st best small forward player. Garrett decided to attend St. John's University to play college basketball for the St. John's Red Storm men's basketball team.
Playing for St. John's Red Storm
Garrett was not allowed to play for the college basketball team during the first semester of his freshman year. This was due to academic reasons in the 2011–12 season. Instead, he spent that fall at Bridgton Academy in Bridgton, Maine. There, he joined their fall baseball program. He became eligible to play basketball in December. As a freshman, Garrett played about 27 minutes per game.
After the basketball season, Garrett played baseball for the Arizona Reds and the Billings Mustangs. These were both Rookie-level teams. He had a 4.05 earned run average (ERA), with 18 strikeouts and 13 walks in 20 innings pitched.
As a sophomore, Garrett started 11 basketball games. He averaged 5.4 points per game and 4.3 rebounds per game. After the 2012–13 college basketball season, Garrett decided to leave St. John's. He planned to transfer to another college basketball team. He transferred to California State University, Northridge. He had to sit out the 2013–14 season because of NCAA transfer rules. After sitting out a year, Garrett left the Matadors to focus on his professional baseball career.
Amir Garrett's Professional Baseball Career
Cincinnati Reds Years
Garrett started the 2013 baseball season with the Billings Mustangs. In July, he was moved up to the Dayton Dragons, a Single–A team. He finished the season with a 5.15 ERA. He returned to Dayton for the start of the 2014 season. In August 2014, Garrett decided to stop playing basketball and leave Cal-State Northridge. He wanted to focus only on baseball. He finished the 2014 season with a 7–8 record and a 3.65 ERA. The Reds added him to their 40-man roster after the season.
He began the 2015 season with the Daytona Tortugas, a High–A team. He was chosen to represent the Reds at the 2015 All-Star Futures Game. Garrett finished the 2015 season with a 2.44 ERA and 133 strikeouts for Daytona. He was named the Co-FSL Pitcher of the Year.
Garrett started the 2016 season with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, a Double–A team. The Reds promoted him to the Louisville Bats, a Triple–A team, in June. He was also chosen for the 2016 All-Star Futures Game. He finished 2016 with a 7–8 record and a 2.55 ERA.
Major League Debut and Early Seasons
Garrett made the Reds' Opening Day roster in 2017. In his first major league game on April 7 against the St. Louis Cardinals, Garrett pitched six innings without allowing any runs. He gave up only two hits and helped the Reds win 2–0.
On May 7, Garrett was sent down to the Reds' Triple–A team, the Louisville Bats. He was placed on the 10-day disabled list on May 25 due to hip inflammation. Garrett was moved between the major league and minor league teams several times that season. In 14 starts for Louisville, he had a 2–4 record with a 5.72 ERA. In 16 games (14 starts) for Cincinnati, he had a 3–8 record and a 7.39 ERA.
Garrett started the 2018 season in the Cincinnati bullpen. He played in 66 games, with a 1–2 record and a 4.29 ERA. He had 71 strikeouts in 63 innings.
In an April 7, 2019, game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Garrett was ejected after a heated moment between the teams. He was involved in another on-field disagreement against the Pirates on July 30. Garrett was ejected again. On August 1, 2019, Garrett was suspended for 8 games.
In 2020, Garrett played in 21 games for Cincinnati. He had a 2.45 ERA with 26 strikeouts. In 2021, Garrett had a 6.04 ERA in 63 appearances.
Kansas City Royals Years
On March 16, 2022, the Reds traded Garrett to the Kansas City Royals. The Royals placed Garrett on the injured list on May 31. He played in 16 games for the team in 2022. He recorded a 4.96 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 45.1 innings.
On January 13, 2023, Garrett signed a one-year contract with the Royals. He pitched in 27 games for Kansas City, with a 3.33 ERA and 28 strikeouts. On July 9, he was removed from the team's active roster. Garrett was released by the Royals on July 15.
Cleveland Guardians and Los Angeles Angels
On July 25, 2023, Garrett signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Guardians. He played in 5 games for their Triple–A team, the Columbus Clippers. He had a 5.79 ERA with 4 strikeouts. On August 24, Garrett asked for and was granted his release from the Guardians.
On February 12, 2024, Garrett signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants. He was released by the Giants on March 21.
On March 27, 2024, Garrett signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels. In 8 games for their Triple–A team, the Salt Lake Bees, he had a 2.45 ERA with 10 strikeouts. On April 30, the Angels added Garrett to their major league roster. In 6 games for Los Angeles, he recorded a 5.06 ERA with 11 strikeouts. On May 15, Garrett was removed from the Angels' active roster. He became a free agent on May 19. Garrett re–signed with the Angels on a minor league contract on May 22. He was released by the Angels organization on August 13.
Toronto Blue Jays
On February 16, 2025, Garrett signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Amir Garrett's Personal Life
Amir Garrett and his wife, Tausana, got engaged in 2018.
See also
- List of multi-sport athletes
