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Garrett Patrick Acton (born June 15, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics.

Amateur career

Acton attended Lemont High School in Lemont, Illinois. He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 35th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign. He attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and played college baseball for the Illinois Fighting Illini. He finished his career at Illinois with a school record 25 career saves.

Professional career

Oakland Athletics

Acton signed with the Oakland Athletics as an undrafted free agent after the 2020 Major League Baseball Draft, which was shortened because of COVID-19. He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He made his professional debut in 2021 with the Single-A Stockton Ports, before later being promoted to the High-A Lansing Lugnuts. In 34 total games, Acton pitched to a 3.69 ERA with 87 strikeouts and 2 saves in 53.2 innings of work.

Acton was assigned to the Double-A Midland RockHounds to begin the 2022 season, before later being promoted the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators. In 51 combined appearances, Acton registered a cumulative 3–9 record and 5.01 ERA with 92 strikeouts and 9 saves in 70.0 innings pitched.

Acton began the 2023 season back with Triple-A Las Vegas, where he worked to a 5–1 record and 4.01 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 24.2 innings of work. On May 14, 2023, he was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. In 6 games for Oakland, he struggled to a 12.71 ERA with 5 strikeouts in 5+2⁄3 innings pitched. He was optioned back to Triple-A Las Vegas on May 29. On July 19, Acton was released by the Athletics.

Tampa Bay Rays

On December 18, 2023, Acton signed a two–year minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays organization.

Personal life

Acton is the son of Janette and James Gordon Acton. His father played football at Purdue University, Triton College and Eastern Illinois University. His father was also a golf professional and head professional at several golf courses in the Chicago area. Acton has a younger sister named Isabel.

References

1. "Disabato: Lemont's Garrett Acton gains emotional boost from dad's memory". Chicago Tribune. June 11, 2016.
2. "Acton breaks saves record in 5-2 win over Indiana State". May 2019.
3. "Acton taking next step in baseball career". July 2020.
4. "Disabato: Go back to Illinois or sign with the Oakland A's? Lemont's Garrett Acton had a big decision to make. He knew who to ask ... His mom". Chicago Tribune. July 7, 2020.
5. "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
6. "Garrett Acton Stats & Scouting Report". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
7. "Garrett Acton could become key piece in Oakland A's bullpen". whitecleatbeat.com. December 16, 2022. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
8. "Athletics' Garrett Acton: Contract selected by Oakland". cbssports.com. May 14, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
9. "May 29, 2023 Transactions". MLB.com. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
10. "A's Claim Right-Hander From Boston, Release Garett Acton". si.com. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
11. "Rays' Garrett Acton: Gets deal from Rays". cbssports.com. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
12. "Garrett Acton - 2020 - Baseball". University of Illinois Athletics. Retrieved October 28, 2024.

External links

• Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
• Illinois bio

• Living people
• 1998 births
• Sportspeople from Naperville, Illinois
• Baseball players from DuPage County, Illinois
• Major League Baseball pitchers
• Oakland Athletics players
• Saint Louis Billikens baseball players
• Illinois Fighting Illini baseball players
• Lansing Lugnuts players
• Stockton Ports players
• Midland RockHounds players
• Las Vegas Aviators players