Garrett Richards
Encyclopedia
Garrett Thomas Richards (born May 27, 1988) is a Major League Baseball
pitcher
for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
.
, where he was a four-year letterwinner. His best season was 2005, where he went 8-5 with a 2.97 ERA and 106 strikeouts. The team won regional championships in 2005 and 2006.
He was not drafted out of high school, going to the University of Oklahoma
. In 2007, his freshman year, he recorded nine saves, the fourth most in team history. That summer, he played with the Cotuit Kettleers
of the Cape Cod Baseball League
. In 2008, he made his first career collegiate start. He played the summer with the Mat-Su Miners
of the Alaska Baseball League
. 2009 was his best season, being a full-time starter he led the team in strikeouts (85) and wins (9).
in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft
, and earned an $802,800 signing bonus. He made his professional debut with Rookie level Orem
, going 3-1 with a 1.53 ERA and a 7.50 strikeout to walk ratio. He started 2010 with Single-A Cedar Rapids
, going 8-4 in 19 starts, earning a Midwest League
All-Star selection. However, his walk total (34) did significantly rise in comparison to his strikeout total (108). He earned a mid-season promotion to High-A Rancho Cucamonga
, going 4-1 with a 3.89 ERA in seven starts. He started 2011 with Double-A Arkansas
, going 12-2 with a 3.06 ERA and three complete games in 21 starts, earning a Texas League
All-Star selection.
On August 10, 2011, Richards was called up to take the rotation spot of Joel Piñeiro
, filling in for the suspended Jered Weaver
. His Major league debut was not a good one. Richards took the loss to the New York Yankees
, giving up 6 earned runs in 5 innings pitched. His ERA after the end of that game was a very high 10.80.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
.
Amateur career
Richards went to Edmond Memorial High SchoolEdmond Memorial High School
Edmond Memorial High School is a public secondary school located in Edmond, Oklahoma, one of three high schools in the Edmond school district. It serves approximately 2,000 students.- History :...
, where he was a four-year letterwinner. His best season was 2005, where he went 8-5 with a 2.97 ERA and 106 strikeouts. The team won regional championships in 2005 and 2006.
He was not drafted out of high school, going to the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
. In 2007, his freshman year, he recorded nine saves, the fourth most in team history. That summer, he played with the Cotuit Kettleers
Cotuit Kettleers
The Cotuit Kettleers are a collegiate summer baseball team based in the village of Cotuit, which is in the southwest corner of the town of Barnstable. The team is a member of the Cape Cod Baseball League and plays in the league's Western Division. Cotuit currently plays its home games at Lowell Park...
of the Cape Cod Baseball League
Cape Cod Baseball League
The Cape Cod Baseball League is a collegiate summer baseball league located on Cape Cod in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, in which many college baseball stars play during the summer. Many future Major League Baseball players have started there during their college years; MLB has provided...
. In 2008, he made his first career collegiate start. He played the summer with the Mat-Su Miners
Mat-Su Miners
The Mat-Su Miners are a college summer baseball club in the Alaska Baseball League . The Miners are based in Palmer, Alaska, and their name refers to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough where Palmer is located...
of the Alaska Baseball League
Alaska Baseball League
The Alaska Baseball League is an amateur collegiate summer baseball league, with six teams located in four Alaskan cities. Players in the league must have attended one year of college and must have one year of NCAA eligibility remaining....
. 2009 was his best season, being a full-time starter he led the team in strikeouts (85) and wins (9).
Professional career
He was drafted in the first round, 42nd overall, by the Los Angeles Angels of AnaheimLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft
2009 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was held June 9 to June 11 at the MLB Network Studios in New York City.The drafting order is as follows:-First-round selections:Key-Supplemental first-round selections:From Baseball America...
, and earned an $802,800 signing bonus. He made his professional debut with Rookie level Orem
Orem Owlz
The Orem Owlz are a minor league baseball farm team affiliated with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim baseball franchise. The team plays in Orem, Utah....
, going 3-1 with a 1.53 ERA and a 7.50 strikeout to walk ratio. He started 2010 with Single-A Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids Kernels
The Cedar Rapids Kernels are a Class A minor league baseball team based in Iowa. It is affiliated with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and plays in the Midwest League.-Franchise history:...
, going 8-4 in 19 starts, earning a Midwest League
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
All-Star selection. However, his walk total (34) did significantly rise in comparison to his strikeout total (108). He earned a mid-season promotion to High-A Rancho Cucamonga
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are a minor league baseball team in Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA. They are a Class A – Advanced team in the California League and a farm team of the Los Angeles Dodgers, their third major league affiliate in team history....
, going 4-1 with a 3.89 ERA in seven starts. He started 2011 with Double-A Arkansas
Arkansas Travelers
The Arkansas Travelers, also known informally as The Travs, are a Minor League Baseball team based in Little Rock, Arkansas. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Major League club....
, going 12-2 with a 3.06 ERA and three complete games in 21 starts, earning a Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
All-Star selection.
On August 10, 2011, Richards was called up to take the rotation spot of Joel Piñeiro
Joel Piñeiro
Joel Alberto Piñeiro is a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball starting pitcher. He is 6'1" tall and weighs 200 pounds. He is right-handed and made his major league debut on August 8, .-Career:...
, filling in for the suspended Jered Weaver
Jered Weaver
Jered David Weaver , is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim...
. His Major league debut was not a good one. Richards took the loss to the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, giving up 6 earned runs in 5 innings pitched. His ERA after the end of that game was a very high 10.80.