Athletes - Kirk Saarloos

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	Athletes - Kirk Saarloos

Kirk Craig Saarloos (born May 23, 1979 in Long Beach, California) is a relief pitcher for the Oakland Athletics.

Saarloos graduated from Valley Christian High School in Cerritos, CA a three-sport (baseball, football, soccer) athlete. He attended Cal State Fullerton where he was immediately cast into major roles, and established himself as one of the best closers in college baseball his sophomore and junior seasons. His senior year of 2001 he became a starter (the new closer was current Washington Nationals closer Chad Cordero) and established himself as the ace of the staff, winning 15 games and having a 2.18 ERA. He was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft in the 3rd round, the 86th overall pick.

Saarloos quickly rose up in the Astros organization, making brief stops in Round Rock and New Orleans before making it to the major leagues his second year as a professional. In 2002 he went 6-7 with a 6.01 ERA with Houston and was sent down to New Orleans for the next season. In 2003 he again pitched very well in the minors but posted a 4.93 ERA in 36 games for the big club. It was around this time he caught the eye of Oakland Athletics assistant general manager Paul DePodesta. A few weeks into the 2004 season, after appearing in only 2 games for New Orleans, he was traded to the A's for Chad Harville. They sent him to Triple-A Sacramento, where he pitched well enough to receive a call-up and start 5 games for Oakland.

In 2005, with Mark Mulder and Tim Hudson traded away, the Athletics had openings in their rotation. Saarloos beat out Keiichi Yabu and Juan Cruz to win the last starter spot in the rotation. Saarloos succeded, going 10-9 with a 4.17 ERA in 27 starts. He was generally considered to be the best #5 starter in the American League.

With the signing of veteran starter Esteban Loaiza before the 2006 season, the A's will bump Saarloos to the bullpen. He figures to be used in many varying roles, much like Justin Duchscherer was in 2005.

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Athletes - Kirk Saarloos

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