Garrett Acton Bio
Garrett Patrick Acton is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays in Major League Baseball (MLB). After working his way through the minor leagues as an undrafted free agent, Acton has appeared at the top level with the Oakland Athletics, the Tampa Bay Rays, and the Minnesota Twins. He is recognized for a college career at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign that ended with the school’s all-time saves record. Born on June 15, 1998, Acton continues to develop as a relief pitcher at the highest level of professional baseball.
Acton originally entered professional baseball when he was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 2016 MLB Draft, but he chose college instead. His path through the minor leagues included stops in the Oakland and Tampa Bay organizations before he reached the majors for the first time in 2023. Across stops in the low minors, Double-A, and Triple-A, he has built a résumé as a strike-throwing reliever with closing experience.
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 played baseball before attracting the attention of Major League scouts. In the 35th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft, the Chicago White Sox selected him, but Acton did not sign with the club.
Instead of beginning his professional career immediately, Acton committed to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he played college baseball for the Illinois Fighting Illini. During his time in Champaign, he developed into a reliable late-inning reliever and closer. By the end of his college career, Acton had set a new school record with 25 career saves, a mark that reflected both his durability and his ability to finish close games.
Path to Baseball
Acton’s path to professional baseball was shaped by a combination of high school recognition, college success, and perseverance after going undrafted. After declining to sign with the Chicago White Sox in 2016, he spent three seasons sharpening his skills at Illinois. When the 2020 Major League Baseball Draft was shortened because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Acton went unselected.
He signed with the Oakland Athletics as an undrafted free agent after that 2020 draft. Because the minor league season had been canceled that year, Acton did not appear in a game until 2021. His first professional experience came with the Single-A Stockton Ports, followed by a promotion to the High-A Lansing Lugnuts. Across 34 games in his debut season, he posted a 3.69 ERA with 87 strikeouts in 53.2 innings, establishing himself as a prospect worth tracking in the Athletics organization.
Garrett Acton Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Acton’s first two full professional seasons were spent moving through the Oakland Athletics’ farm system. In 2021, he pitched at Single-A Stockton and High-A Lansing, recording a 3.69 ERA with 87 strikeouts and two saves in 53.2 innings across 34 games. Those numbers gave the Athletics enough confidence to push him upward the following year.
In 2022, Acton began the season at Double-A Midland before earning a promotion to Triple-A Las Vegas. Over 51 combined appearances, he went 3–9 with a 5.01 ERA, 92 strikeouts, and nine saves in 70.0 innings. Although his win-loss record reflected the offensive environment around him, his strikeout rate and save totals reinforced his profile as a late-inning option.
Oakland Athletics (2023)
Acton opened the 2023 season back at Triple-A Las Vegas, where he went 5–1 with a 4.01 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 24.2 innings. On May 14, 2023, Oakland selected his contract and added him to the 40-man roster, giving him his first Major League opportunity. Acton became a major leaguer that day and joined the Oakland bullpen.
Across six appearances with the Athletics, Acton struggled to a 12.71 ERA with five strikeouts in 5.2 innings. On May 29, he was optioned back to Triple-A Las Vegas, and on July 19, Oakland released him. Despite the difficult first taste of the majors, Acton had already proven he could handle Triple-A hitters.
Tampa Bay Rays Era (2023–2025)
On December 18, 2023, Acton signed a two-year minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays organization. The 2024 season was lost to rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery, keeping him off the mound for the year. He returned healthy and effective in 2025 at Triple-A Durham, where he made 43 appearances, including three starts, and went 5–1 with a 3.64 ERA, 67 strikeouts, and three saves in 54.1 innings.
On September 13, 2025, the Rays selected Acton’s contract, adding him to the active roster. He made one scoreless appearance for Tampa Bay, walking two batters over one inning. Acton was designated for assignment by the Rays on November 3, 2025, ending his time in the organization.
Minnesota Twins Era (2026–Present)
On November 6, 2025, Acton was claimed off waivers by the Colorado Rockies, but the stay was brief. He was designated for assignment on January 22, 2026, and then claimed off waivers by the Miami Marlins on February 3. After two scoreless appearances at Triple-A Jacksonville, Acton was designated for assignment by Miami on March 29.
On April 2, 2026, Acton was traded to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for pitcher Logan Whitaker. Through games of April 19, 2026, he had posted a 1–1 record with a 6.57 ERA and 12 strikeouts. On April 28, he was placed on the injured list with a right shoulder strain, and on May 19, he was transferred to the 60-day injured list.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most notable milestones of Acton’s career are his University of Illinois school record of 25 career saves and his Major League debut with the Oakland Athletics on May 14, 2023. His first scoreless MLB inning came with the Tampa Bay Rays on September 13, 2025, and his arrival at the Minnesota Twins in April 2026 marked his fourth Major League organization.
Garrett Acton Career Wins
Across his professional career, Acton has built his win totals mostly at the minor league level, where his role as a reliever has limited his opportunities for victories. He has produced wins at Single-A Stockton, High-A Lansing, Double-A Midland, and Triple-A Las Vegas, Durham, and Jacksonville, while also recording decisions during brief major league stints with Oakland and Minnesota.
Minor League Highlights
Acton’s most productive win totals have come at Triple-A. In 2023, he went 5–1 with the Las Vegas Aviators, and in 2025, he went 5–1 with the Durham Bulls. Earlier, he notched wins with Stockton, Lansing, and Midland during his climb through Oakland’s system. His first professional victory came during his 2021 debut season, and his most recent win came with the Minnesota Twins during the early weeks of the 2026 season.
Garrett Acton Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Acton is the son of Janette Acton and James Gordon Acton. His father played football at Purdue University, Triton College, and Eastern Illinois University, and later worked as a golf professional and head professional at several golf courses in the Chicago area. Acton also has a younger sister named Isabel.
Personal Life
Acton grew up in Lemont, Illinois, in a household with strong ties to athletics through his father’s college football background. He has continued to be identified publicly with his hometown and his Illinois education, even as his professional baseball career has carried him across multiple organizations.
2025 Season Performance
Acton’s 2025 season was defined by a strong Triple-A rebound and a brief Major League appearance. He spent most of the year with the Durham Bulls, going 5–1 with a 3.64 ERA, 67 strikeouts, and three saves in 54.1 innings across 43 appearances, including three starts. That workload marked his return from Tommy John surgery and re-established him as a viable relief option.
On September 13, 2025, the Rays selected his contract, and Acton delivered one scoreless inning in his only Tampa Bay appearance. He was designated for assignment on November 3, clearing the way for a series of late-year roster moves that sent him to the Colorado Rockies, then the Miami Marlins, and finally the Minnesota Twins in April 2026.
