Kirk Saarloos is an American baseball coach and former pitcher who currently serves as the head coach of the TCU Horned Frogs. He played college baseball for Coach George Horton at Cal State Fullerton from 1999 to 2001 and played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for seven seasons from 2002 to 2008.
Saarloos was drafted by the Houston Astros in the third round of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft. He played for Houston from 2002-03, for the Oakland Athletics from 2004-06, and for the Cincinnati Reds in 2007 before returning to Oakland in 2008.
Early life
Kirk Saarloos was born on May 23, 1979. A native of Cerritos, California, Saarloos excelled at Valley Christian High School and competed in baseball, football, and soccer. His remarkable skills on the field caught the attention of many.
While attending California State University at Fullerton, Saarloos made a significant impact as a college baseball player. Notably, in his sophomore and sophomore years, he’s made a name for himself as one of the game’s best closers. In 1999, he further honed his skills by joining the Cotuit Kettleers of the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League and participating in college summer baseball.
In 2001, as Saarloos entered his senior year, he was promoted from the bullpen to his team’s starting pitcher. With former Washington Nationals closer Chad Cordero taking over the closing role, Saarloos quickly established himself as the ace on his team’s pitching team. Impressive stats followed his performance as he racked up 15 wins with an exceptional Earned Run Average (ERA) of 2.18. This outstanding performance caught the scouts’ attention and propelled his progression to the major leagues.
Saarloos was selected by the Houston Astros in the highly anticipated 2001 Major League Baseball Draft. His talent and dedication had earned him 86th overall in the third round. This was a significant milestone in his career as he set out to compete at the highest level in professional baseball.
Kirk Saarloos career
player career
Saarloos rose quickly through the Astros organization, making brief stints at Double-A Round Rock and Triple-A New Orleans before earning a major league call-up in his sophomore season. He was demoted to New Orleans after playing with Houston 6-7 in 2002 with a 6.01 ERA. Kirk Saarloos did very well with the minors in 2003 but had a 4.93 ERA in 36 games for the big club.
He also pitched the final of the third inning and the entire fourth inning of the Astros’ six-pitch no-hitter against the New York Yankees on June 11. It was at this time that he caught the attention of Oakland Athletics assistant general manager Paul DePodesta. After appearing in just two games for New Orleans, he was traded to the Athletics for Chad Harville a few weeks into the 2004 season. They sent him to Triple-A Sacramento where he performed well to earn a call-up and five starts for Oakland.
Saarloos signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics on January 15, 2008, and was invited to spring training. He was drafted into the major league roster on April 14 but was drafted for action on April 23. On April 25, he was promoted to the Triple-A. Saarloos was recalled on August 18th. At the end of the season, he became a free agent.
Saarloos signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians in January 2009 with an invite to spring training; After training camp, he was assigned to minor league camp on March 24, 2009. In 16 games at the AAA level, he went 3-10. He announced his retirement after the 2009 season.
coaching career
Saarloos was an assistant coach for Cal State Fullerton in 2011. His main duties were as a pitching coach. Opponents battled his .250 pitchers, and he coached Big West Pitcher of the Year Dylan Floro and four Freshmen All-American pitchers.
In 2012, Saarloos returned to Cal State Fullerton as a full-time pitching coach and helped with recruiting. In the summer of 2012, he was appointed pitching coach at Texas Christian University. He led the club to the lowest ERA in school history since 1968.
On June 15, 2021, he was named head coach of TCU. Saarloos led the Horned Frogs to the 2022 Big 12 regular-season title and a trip to College Station Regional. The Horned Frogs ranked fourth in the regular-season Big 12 in 2023, won the Big 12 tournament championship, and captured the Fayetteville Regional.
Kirk Saarloos biography | |
|---|---|
| Real name | Kirk Craig Saarloos |
| birth date | May 23, 1979 |
| Age | 45 years |
| Place of birth | Long Beach, California, United States |
| Profession | baseball coach |
| University | California State University |
| qualification | graduate |
Physical Statistics | |
| Height | in feet inches – 6′ 0” – in centimeters – 183 cm |
| Weight | in kilograms – 83kg – in pounds – 185 pounds |
| Hair color | Brown |
| eye color | Brown |
Kirk Saarloos Family | |
| Father | Larry Saarloos |
| Mother | Linda Saarloos |
| Sister | Keith Saarloos |
| Brother | – |
relationship status | |
| Marital status | Married |
| who is Kirk Saarloos’ wife? | Kristen Roberts |
| Children | Three (Brady, Emery & Lane) |
Personal life
Kirk is aware of the immense importance of his family in his everyday life. He proudly declares that his most notable achievement is the presence of his “three remarkable children and an equally amazing wife”. Kirk’s commitment to his family is heartfelt because he cherishes his wife, children, mother, and brother and would willingly do anything to support and care for them. This deep dedication extends beyond his personal life and permeates his professional endeavors as well. Kirk embodies a seamless integration of his personal and professional spheres; He is always himself, whether at home or at work.
According to Keith, a close associate, Kirk embodies a family-centric mindset that permeates his actions and interactions. His love and devotion extend not only to his immediate family but also to his colleagues and reflect his holistic approach to life. This unwavering commitment to family values is also embodied by Kirk’s wife, Kristen, who actively helps foster a similar family atmosphere both inside and outside of their work commitments.
The Saarloos family’s genuine hospitality is demonstrated by hosting barbecues on their front porch, especially for new recruits, welcoming them into the larger TCU baseball family. This camaraderie is more than a team; It is a close-knit group that embodies the essence of family.
Kirk Saarloos net worth
Kirk signed a five-year contract extension with TCU authorities, but financial terms are unknown. He’s had a successful career as a player and looks rock solid as a head coach too. Over the years of dedication and hard work, he has amassed a great fortune coupled with a great deal of love. Well, with his current coaching career, he will amass even more to increase his fortune.