Amir Jamal Garrett (born May 3, 1992) is an American professional

baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...

pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("Pitch (baseball), pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, ...

in the

Toronto Blue Jays The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. Since 1989, the team has p ...

organization. He has previously played in

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...

(MLB) for the

Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. The Reds compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Divisi ...

Kansas City Royals The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The team ...

, and

Los Angeles Angels The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Greater Los Angeles, Greater Los Angeles area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, ...

. Garrett played

college basketball College basketball is basketball that is played by teams of Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. In the Higher education in the United States, United States, colleges and universities are governed by collegiate athle ...

for the

St. John's Red Storm The St. John's Red Storm is the nickname used for the 17 varsity athletic programs of St. John's University, in the U.S. state of New York. St. John's 17 NCAA Division I teams compete in the Big East Conference, with the exception of the fencin ...

before pursuing a baseball career fully. He was drafted by the Reds in 2011 and made his MLB debut in 2017.

Early years

Garrett began his high school career at Sierra Vista High School in

Spring Valley, Nevada Spring Valley is an unincorporated town and census-designated place in Clark County, Nevada, United States, located west of the Las Vegas Strip. The population was 215,597 at the 2020 census. Spring Valley was formed in May 1981. History In ...

, before he transferred to

Leuzinger High School Leuzinger High School is a public high school (9th through 12th grades) in Lawndale, California, United States. It opened on January 27, 1931, with an enrollment of 268. It was named after Adolph Leuzinger in recognition of his 25 years of serv ...

Lawndale, California Lawndale is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 31,807 at the 2020 census, down from 32,769 at the 2010 census. The city is in the South Bay region of the Greater Los Angeles Area. History Native Ameri ...

, for his junior year. He transferred again, to Findlay College Prep in

Henderson, Nevada Henderson is a city in Clark County, Nevada, United States, about southeast of downtown Las Vegas. It is the List of cities in Nevada, 2nd most populous city in Nevada, after Las Vegas, with 317,610 residents. The city is part of the Las Vegas V ...

, for his senior year in 2010. Findlay does not have a baseball team. His father convinced him to give baseball another chance, so he held a training session for

(MLB)

scouts Scouting or the Scout Movement is a youth social movement, movement which became popularly established in the first decade of the twentieth century. It follows the Scout method of informal education with an emphasis on practical outdoor activi ...

, in which he threw a

fastball The fastball is the most common type of pitch (baseball), pitch thrown by pitchers in baseball and softball. Its distinctive feature is its high speed. "Power pitchers," such as former major leaguers Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, relied on the ...

upwards of . Eligible in the

2011 MLB draft The 2011 Major League Baseball draft was held from June 6 through June 8, 2011, from Studio 42 of the MLB Network in Secaucus, New Jersey. The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Gerrit Cole out of the University of California, Los Angeles, with the fi ...

, the

selected Garrett in the 22nd round. He signed with the Reds, receiving a $1 million

signing bonus A signing bonus or sign-on bonus is a sum of money paid to a new employee (including a professional sports person) by a company as an incentive to join that company. They are often given as a way of making a compensation package more attractive ...

and permission to continue his basketball career. In the fall of 2011, Garrett enrolled at

Bridgton Academy Bridgton Academy is an all-male college preparatory school in Bridgton, Maine. Founded in 1808, the school is located at the northern tip of Long Lake in North Bridgton, Maine. The school has been NEASC-accredited since 1934, making it one of t ...

in Bridgton, Maine, where he played on the basketball team throughout the 2011–12 season.

College career

Heading into college, Garrett was a four-star basketball recruit, ranked 68th in the country, and the 21st best

small forward The small forward (SF), also known as the three, is one of the five Basketball position, positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically shorter, quicker, and leaner than Power forward (basketball), power forwards and Cent ...

. Garrett committed to attend St. John's University to play

for the

St. John's Red Storm men's basketball The St. John's Red Storm men's basketball team represents St. John's University (New York City), St. John's University, located in Queens, New York City, New York. The team participates in the Big East Conference, of which it is a founding member. ...

team. Garrett was ruled ineligible to play for the college basketball team for the fall semester of his freshman year, in the 2011–12 season, due to academic reasons. He instead spent the fall semester at

Bridgton, Maine Bridgton is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. The population was 5,418 at the 2020 census. A resort area in Maine's Lakes Region, Bridgton is home to Bridgton Academy, a private preparatory school, and the Four on the Fourth ...

where he participated in the fall baseball program. He was declared eligible in December. As a freshman, Garrett played 26.9 minutes per game. After the basketball season, Garrett played baseball for the Arizona Reds of the

Rookie-level Minor League Baseball (MiLB) is a professional baseball organization below Major League Baseball (MLB), constituted of teams affiliated with MLB clubs. It was founded on September 5, 1901, in response to the growing dominance of the National L ...

Arizona League The Arizona Complex League (ACL) is a rookie-level Minor League Baseball league that operates in and around Phoenix, Arizona, since 1988. Prior to 2021, it was known as the Arizona League (AZL). Along with the Florida Complex League (FCL), it fo ...

and the

Billings Mustangs The Billings Mustangs are an independent baseball team of the Pioneer League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB) but is an MLB Partner League. They are located in Billings, Montana, and have played their home games at Deh ...

of the

Pioneer League, pitching to a 4.05

earned run average In baseball statistics, earned run average (ERA) is the average of earned runs allowed by a pitcher per nine innings pitched (i.e. the traditional length of a game). It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number ...

(ERA) with 18

strikeout In baseball or softball, a strikeout (or strike-out) occurs when a batter accumulates three strikes during a time at bat. It means the batter is out, unless the third strike is not caught by the catcher and the batter reaches first base safe ...

s and 13 walks in 20

innings pitched In baseball, the statistic innings pitched (IP) is the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of Batter (baseball), batters and baserunners that have been put out while the pitcher is on the Baseball field#Pitcher's mou ...

. As a sophomore, Garrett started 11 games, averaging 5.4

points per game Points per game, often abbreviated PPG, is the average number of points scored by a player or team per game played in a sport, over the course of a series of games, a whole season, or a career. It is calculated by dividing the total number of poi ...

and 4.3

rebounds per game 'Rebound' is a term used in sports to describe the ball (or puck or other object of play) becoming available for possession by either opponent after an attempt to put the ball or puck into the goal has been unsuccessful. Rebounds are generally ...

in 20.1 minutes per game. After the 2012–13 college basketball season, Garrett announced that he was leaving St. John's, with the intention of transferring to another college basketball team. He transferred to

California State University, Northridge California State University, Northridge (CSUN or Cal State Northridge), is a public university in the Northridge neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, United States. With a total enrollment of 36,848 students (as of Fall 2024), it has the ...

, and sat out the 2013–14 season due to

NCAA The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates College athletics in the United States, student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States, and Simon Fraser University, 1 in Canada. ...

transfer rules. After redshirting his first year, Garrett withdrew from the Matadors to pursue a pro baseball career.

Professional career

Cincinnati Reds

Garrett began the 2013 baseball season with Billings, but was promoted to the

Dayton Dragons The Dayton Dragons are a Minor League Baseball team of the Midwest League and the High-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. They are located in Dayton, Ohio, and play their home games at Day Air Ballpark. In 2011, they broke the record for most ...

of the Single–A

Midwest League The Midwest League is a Minor League Baseball league established in 1947 and based in the Midwestern United States. A Class A league for most of its history, the league was promoted to High-A as part of Major League Baseball's 2021 reorganizat ...

in July. He finished the season with a 5.15 ERA, 32 strikeouts, and 26 walks in innings. He returned to Dayton for the start of the 2014 season. In August 2014, Garrett decided to quit basketball and withdraw from Cal-State Northridge in order to focus on baseball. He had a 7–8 record and a 3.65 ERA in 27 games started, and the Reds added him to their

40-man roster A Major League Baseball roster is a list of players who are allowed, by league agreement, to play for a Major League Baseball (MLB) team. Each MLB team maintains two rosters: an active roster of players eligible to participate in an MLB game, an ...

after the season. He began the 2015 season with the

Daytona Tortugas The Daytona Tortugas are a Minor League Baseball team of the Florida State League and the Minor League Baseball#Single-A, Single-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. They are located in Daytona Beach, Florida, and play their home games at Jackie R ...

of the High–A

Florida State League The Florida State League (FSL) is a Minor League Baseball league based in the state of Florida. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 until its demotion to Single-A following ...

(FSL), and was chosen to represent the Reds at the 2015

All-Star Futures Game The All-Star Futures Game is an annual baseball exhibition game hosted by Major League Baseball (MLB) in conjunction with the mid-summer MLB All-Star Game. A team of American League-affiliated prospects competes against a team of National League- ...

. Garrett finished the 2015 season with a 2.44 ERA and 133 strikeouts for Daytona, and with

Jacob Faria Jacob Daniel Faria (born July 30, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Guerreros de Oaxaca of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Rays, Milwaukee Brewers, Arizona Di ...

, was named the Co-FSL Pitcher of the Year. Garrett opened the 2016 season with the

Pensacola Blue Wahoos The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are a Minor League Baseball team of the Southern League (1964–present), Southern League and the Double-A (baseball), Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. They are based in Pensacola, Florida, and play their home ga ...

of the Double–A Southern League. The Reds promoted him to the

Louisville Bats The Louisville Bats are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. They are located in Louisville, Kentucky, and are named in dual reference to the bat, wi ...

of the Triple–A

International League The International League (IL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the United States. Along with the Pacific Coast League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A level, which is one grade below Major ...

in June. He was named to appear in the 2016 All-Star Futures Game. He finished 2016 with a 7–8 record and a 2.55 ERA. Garrett made the Reds'

Opening Day Opening Day is the day on which professional baseball leagues begin their regular season. For Major League Baseball (MLB) and most of the American minor leagues, this day typically falls during the first week of April, although in recent year ...

roster in 2017. In his major league debut on April 7 against the

St. Louis Cardinals The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis. The Cardinals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Centra ...

, Garrett went six shutout innings, giving up just two hits and earning the win in the Reds 2–0 victory over the Cardinals. Amir Garrett 6

On May 7, Garrett was optioned down to the Reds' Triple–A affiliate, the

, after

Barrett Astin Barrett Astin (born October 22, 1991) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds. Career Amateur Astin attended Forrest City High School in Forrest City, Arkansas, and p ...

was recalled. On May 25, Garrett was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to right hip inflammation. Garrett was optioned and recalled multiple times during the season. In 14 starts for Louisville he was 2–4 with a 5.72 ERA, and in 16 games (14 starts) for Cincinnati, he compiled a 3–8 record and 7.39 ERA. Garrett began the 2018 season in the Cincinnati bullpen. In 66 games, he was 1–2 with a 4.29 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 63 innings. In an April 7, 2019, game against the

Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central ...

, Garrett was ejected after his role in a bench clearing incident involving

Chris Archer Christopher Alan Archer (born September 26, 1988) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Rays, Pittsburgh Pirates and Minnesota Twins. Archer attended Clayton High School ( ...

Derek Dietrich Derek Richard Dietrich (born July 18, 1989) is an American former professional baseball second baseman and outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Miami Marlins, Cincinnati Reds, and Texas Rangers. Prior to playing professi ...

Yasiel Puig Yasiel Puig Valdés ( , ; born December 7, 1990) is a Cuban-born American professional baseball right fielder who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, and Clevelan ...

, David Bell,

Keone Kela Keone Cole Kela (born April 16, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and ...

, and

Felipe Vázquez Felipe Javier Vázquez ( Rivero, born July 5, 1991) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for Marineros de Carabobo of the Venezuelan Major League. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2015 to 2019 for the Washington Nationals a ...

. Garrett was involved in another bench clearing incident against the Pirates on July 30, charging the Pirates dugout and throwing punches at players in the dugout. Garrett was ejected along with Puig, Archer,

Francisco Cervelli Francisco Cervelli (born March 6, 1986) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball catcher and current manager. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, Atlanta Braves, and Miami Marlins from 2008 ...

, Kyle Crick, and Trevor Williams. On August 1, 2019, Garrett was suspended for 8 games. In 2020 for Cincinnati, Garrett appeared in 21 games, recording a 2.45 ERA with 26 strikeouts in innings pitched. Garrett had a 6.04 ERA in 63 appearances in 2021.

Kansas City Royals

On March 16, 2022, the Reds traded Garrett to the

in exchange for Mike Minor. The Royals placed Garrett on the injured list on May 31. He appeared in 16 contests for the team in 2022, recording a 4.96 ERA with 49 strikeouts in innings of work. On January 13, 2023, Garrett agreed to a one-year, $2.65 million contract with the Royals, avoiding salary arbitration. He pitched in 27 games out of the bullpen for Kansas City, registering a 3.33 ERA with 28 strikeouts in innings pitched. On July 9, he was

designated for assignment Designated for assignment (DFA) is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball (MLB). A player who is designated for assignment is immediately removed from the team's 40-man roster, after which the team must, within seven days, return the pla ...

by Kansas City after

Ryan Yarbrough Ryan Christian Yarbrough (born December 31, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Tampa Bay Rays, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Dodge ...

was activated from the injured list. Garrett was released by the Royals on July 15.

Cleveland Guardians

On July 25, 2023, Garrett signed a minor league contract with the

Cleveland Guardians The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central Division. Since , the team has played its home gam ...

organization. In 5 games for the Triple–A

Columbus Clippers The Columbus Clippers are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. They are located in Columbus, Ohio, and are named for speedy Merchant ship, merch ...

, he posted a 5.79 ERA with 4 strikeouts in innings pitched. On August 24, Garrett requested and was granted his release by the Guardians.

Los Angeles Angels

On February 12, 2024, Garrett signed a minor league contract with the

San Francisco Giants The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Div ...

. He was released by the Giants on March 21 after being informed he would not make the Opening Day roster. On March 27, 2024, Garrett signed a minor league contract with the

. In 8 games for the Triple–A

Salt Lake Bees The Salt Lake Bees are a Minor League Baseball (MiLB) team that plays in the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. Based in South Jordan, Utah, the team plays its home games at The Ballpark at Am ...

, he logged a 2.45 ERA with 10 strikeouts. On April 30, the Angels selected Garrett's contract, adding him to the major league roster. In 6 games for Los Angeles, he recorded a 5.06 ERA with 11 strikeouts across innings pitched. On May 15, Garrett was designated for assignment by the Angels. He elected free agency 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

Personal

Garrett and his wife, Tausana, were engaged in 2018.

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Garrett, Amir 1992 births Living people African-American baseball players Águilas Cibaeñas players American men's basketball players Arizona League Reds players Baseball players from Los Angeles Baseball players from Nevada Baseball players from San Bernardino County, California Basketball players from Los Angeles Billings Mustangs players Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players Cincinnati Reds players Columbus Clippers players Dayton Dragons players Daytona Tortugas players Dunedin Blue Jays players Findlay Prep alumni Florida Complex League Blue Jays players Kansas City Royals players Los Angeles Angels players Louisville Bats players Major League Baseball pitchers Omaha Storm Chasers players Pensacola Blue Wahoos players Sportspeople from Victorville, California Salt Lake Bees players Small forwards Sportspeople from Lawndale, California Sportspeople from the Las Vegas Valley St. John's Red Storm men's basketball players 21st-century African-American sportsmen 21st-century American sportsmen