Garrett Patrick Acton Bio
Garrett Patrick Acton is an American professional baseball pitcher who has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics, the Tampa Bay Rays, and most recently joined the Colorado Rockies organization. Born on June 15, 1998, Acton developed his pitching skills at Lemont High School in Illinois before attending the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he became the school’s all-time leader in career saves. After being drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 2016 but choosing to pursue his college career, Acton eventually signed as an undrafted free agent with the Oakland Athletics organization in 2020 and made his MLB debut in May 2023.
Early Life and Background
Garrett Patrick Acton was born on June 15, 1998, and grew up in Lemont, Illinois. He attended Lemont High School, where he developed his skills as a pitcher. His father, James Gordon Acton, played college football at Purdue University, Triton College, and Eastern Illinois University before becoming a golf professional who served as head professional at several golf courses in the Chicago area. His mother is Janette Acton. Acton also has a younger sister named Isabel.
Path to Professional Baseball
Following his high school graduation, Acton continued his baseball career at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, playing for the Illinois Fighting Illini. His exceptional performance as a closer established him as one of the program’s most reliable relief pitchers. Acton finished his collegiate career holding the University of Illinois school record with 25 career saves, a testament to his consistency and effectiveness on the mound. In the 2016 MLB Draft, the Chicago White Sox selected Acton in the 35th round, but he chose not to sign and returned to complete his college career at Illinois.
Garrett Patrick Acton Career
Minor League Development (2020–2023)
After his college career concluded, Acton signed with the Oakland Athletics as an undrafted free agent following the shortened 2020 MLB Draft, which was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. He did not appear in any games during 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season. Acton made his professional debut in 2021 with the Single-A Stockton Ports, later earning a promotion to the High-A Lansing Lugnuts. In 34 combined games that season, he posted a 3.69 earned run average with 87 strikeouts and 2 saves across 53.2 innings of work.
Acton began the 2022 season with the Double-A Midland RockHounds before receiving a promotion to the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators. Across 51 combined appearances, he recorded a 3–9 win-loss record with a 5.01 earned run average, 92 strikeouts, and 9 saves in 70 innings pitched. He returned to Triple-A Las Vegas to start the 2023 season, compiling a 5–1 record and 4.01 earned run average with 30 strikeouts in 24.2 innings of work.
Oakland Athletics (2023)
On May 14, 2023, Acton was selected to the Oakland Athletics 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time in his career. He made his MLB debut that same day. In 6 appearances for Oakland, Acton struggled with a 12.71 earned run average, recording 5 strikeouts across 5.2 innings pitched. He was optioned back to Triple-A Las Vegas on May 29, 2023. The Athletics released him on July 19, 2023, ending his tenure with the organization with an 0–1 record in his brief major league stint.
Tampa Bay Rays and Recovery (2023–2025)
On December 18, 2023, Acton signed a two-year minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays organization. He did not make an appearance during the 2024 season as he rehabilitated from Tommy John surgery, which required significant recovery time. Acton began the 2025 season with the Triple-A Durham Bulls, where he delivered a strong performance across 43 appearances that included three starts. He compiled a 5–1 record with a 3.64 earned run average and 67 strikeouts in 54.1 innings pitched.
On September 13, 2025, the Rays selected Acton’s contract, promoting him to their active roster for the remainder of the season. He made one scoreless appearance for Tampa Bay, walking two batters in one inning pitched. The Rays designated Acton for assignment on November 3, 2025.
Colorado Rockies (2025–Present)
On November 6, 2025, Acton was claimed off waivers by the Colorado Rockies. He signed a two-year contract with the organization. On January 22, 2026, the Rockies designated Acton for assignment, and he was subsequently claimed by the Miami Marlins on February 3, 2026. Acton was optioned to the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp to begin the regular season. In two appearances for Jacksonville, he recorded one win and four strikeouts while allowing no runs across 2.1 innings pitched. The Marlins designated him for assignment on March 29, 2026. On April 2, 2026, Acton was traded to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for pitcher Logan Whitacker. On April 28, 2026, he was placed on the injured list due to a right shoulder strain and later transferred to the 60-day injured list on May 19, 2026.
Career Statistics and Performance
As of April 19, 2026, Acton has appeared in 7 major league games across his career with the Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays, recording a 1–1 win-loss record with a 6.57 earned run average and 12 total strikeouts in 12.2 innings pitched. His professional career includes successful minor league seasons, notably his 2021 campaign with Stockton Ports and Lansing Lugnuts where he posted a 3.69 earned run average with 87 strikeouts in 34 appearances, and his 2025 Triple-A performance with Durham Bulls where he went 5–1 with a 3.64 earned run average.
Garrett Patrick Acton Career Wins
Across his professional career spanning multiple minor league levels and his brief MLB appearances, Acton has accumulated wins at both the Triple-A and major league levels. His professional record includes successful stints in the Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays organizations.
Major League Baseball Highlights
In his MLB career, Acton has appeared in 7 games total, recording a 1–1 win-loss record with a 6.57 earned run average. His most extensive MLB action came with the Oakland Athletics in 2023, where he appeared in 6 games. He earned his first major league win during his time with the Tampa Bay Rays organization, though his sample size at the highest level remains limited due to his career trajectory through the minor leagues and time missed due to injury.
Minor League Achievements
Acton’s most consistent professional results have come at the minor league level. His standout season came in 2021 with the Single-A Stockton Ports and High-A Lansing Lugnuts, where he posted a combined 3.69 earned run average with 87 strikeouts and 2 saves in 53.2 innings. He also performed well at Triple-A Las Vegas in 2023 with a 5–1 record and 4.01 earned run average in 24.2 innings before his MLB call-up. His 2025 season with Durham Bulls was particularly impressive, as he went 5–1 with a 3.64 earned run average and 67 strikeouts in 54.1 innings, earning his way back to the majors.
Garrett Patrick Acton Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Garrett Patrick Acton comes from a family with strong athletic credentials. His father, James Gordon Acton, was a accomplished football player who competed at the collegiate level at Purdue University, Triton College, and Eastern Illinois University. Following his football career, James Gordon Acton transitioned to golf, serving as a golf professional and head professional at several prominent golf courses throughout the Chicago area. This athletic background provided Garrett with a foundation in competitive sports from an early age.
Personal Life
Acton was raised in Lemont, Illinois, by his parents, Janette Acton and James Gordon Acton. He has a younger sister named Isabel. Acton has navigated the challenges of professional baseball, including recovering from Tommy John surgery that kept him off the mound for the entire 2024 season. He continues to work toward establishing himself as a reliable major league pitcher while maintaining connections to his Illinois roots.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a significant milestone in Garrett Patrick Acton’s career as he worked his way back from Tommy John surgery that had cost him the entire 2024 season. Beginning the year with the Triple-A Durham Bulls, Acton demonstrated that his arm had returned to full health and his stuff remained effective at the upper levels of minor league baseball. His 5–1 record and 3.64 earned run average across 43 appearances showed his ability to consistently retire batters and protect leads in late-inning situations.
Acton’s strong minor league performance in 2025 earned him a September call-up to the Tampa Bay Rays active roster, marking his return to Major League Baseball after nearly two years. His one scoreless inning of work demonstrated his readiness to contribute at the highest level, even in limited action. The Tampa Bay Rays’ decision to promote him reflected their confidence in his recovery and potential value as a reliever.
Looking ahead, Acton’s two-year contract with the Colorado Rockies organization indicates the team’s belief in his abilities as he continues his major league career. His recovery from Tommy John surgery and successful return to form in 2025 positions him as a pitcher who can compete for bullpen roles in the coming seasons. His experience at multiple minor league levels and his brief MLB appearances provide a foundation for continued development as he works toward establishing himself as a consistent major league contributor.