Kirk Craig 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 he played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for seven seasons from 2002 to 2008.
Saarloos was drafted in the third round of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft by the Houston Astros. He pitched for Houston from 2002 to 2003, the Oakland Athletics from 2004 to 2006, and the Cincinnati Reds in 2007 before returning to Oakland in 2008.
Early Life
Kirk Saarloos was born on the 23rd of May, 1979. Hailing from Cerritos, California, Saarloos excelled in sports during his time at Valley Christian High School, participating in baseball, football, and soccer. His remarkable abilities on the field caught the attention of many.
As he progressed through his collegiate journey at California State University, Fullerton, Saarloos made a significant impact as a college baseball player. Notably, during his sophomore and junior years, he gained recognition as one of the premier closers in the game. In 1999, he further honed his skills by joining the Cotuit Kettleers of the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League, participating in collegiate summer baseball.
In 2001, as Saarloos entered his senior year, he received a promotion from the bullpen to become a starting pitcher for his team. With the former Washington Nationals closer, Chad Cordero, taking over the closing role, Saarloos swiftly established himself as the ace of his team’s pitching staff. Impressive statistics followed his performance, as he notched 15 victories with an exceptional earned run average (ERA) of 2.18. This outstanding performance attracted the attention of scouts and propelled his journey to the Major Leagues.
In the highly anticipated 2001 Major League Baseball Draft, Saarloos was chosen by the Houston Astros. His talent and dedication had earned him the 86th overall selection in the third round. This marked a significant milestone in his career, as he embarked on the path to compete at the highest level of professional baseball.
Kirk Saarloos Career
Playing Career
Saarloos swiftly ascended through the Astros organization, making brief trips at Double-A Round Rock and Triple-A New Orleans before getting called up to the major leagues in his second season. He was demoted down to New Orleans after going 6-7 with a 6.01 ERA with Houston in 2002. In 2003, he performed very effectively in the minors but had a 4.93 ERA in 36 games for the big club.
He also pitched the final out of the third inning and all of the fourth inning in the Astros’ six-pitch no-hitter against the New York Yankees on June 11. He grabbed the attention of Oakland Athletics assistant general manager Paul DePodesta about this time. After participating in only two games for New Orleans, he was traded to the Athletics for Chad Harville a few weeks into the 2004 season. They assigned him to Triple-A Sacramento, where he pitched well enough 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 assigned to the major league roster on April 14 but was designated for assignment on April 23. On April 25, he was promoted to Triple-A. Saarloos was recalled on August 18. At the end of the season, he became a free agent.
Saarloos signed a minor league deal with the Cleveland Indians in January 2009, with an invitation 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 following the 2009 season.
Coaching Career
Saarloos served as an undergraduate assistant coach for Cal State Fullerton in 2011. His principal responsibilities were as a pitching coach. Opponents batted.250 against his pitchers, and he coached Big West Pitcher of the Year Dylan Floro as well as four Freshmen All-American pitchers.
In 2012, Saarloos returned to Cal State Fullerton as their full-time pitching coach and assisted with recruiting. In the summer of 2012, he was appointed pitching coach at Texas Christian University. He guided the club to the lowest ERA in school history since 1968.
He was named TCU’s head coach on June 15, 2021. Saarloos steered the Horned Frogs to the Big 12 regular-season title in 2022 and a trip to the College Station regional. The Horned Frogs finished fourth in the Big 12 regular season standings in 2023, won the Big 12 tournament championship, and took home the Fayetteville Regional.
Kirk Saarloos Biography |
|
|---|---|
| Real Name | Kirk Craig Saarloos |
| Birth Date | 23 May 1979 |
| Age (as of 2023) | 44 Years |
| Birth Place | Long Beach, California, United States |
| Profession | Baseball Coach |
| College | California State University |
| Qualification | Graduate |
Physical Statistics |
|
| Height | in feet inches – 6’ 0” – in Centimeters – 183 cm |
| Weight | in Kilograms – 83 kg – in Pounds – 185 lbs |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Brown |
 |
|
Family |
|
| Father | Larry Saarloos |
| Mother | Linda Saarloos |
| Sister | Keith Saarloos |
| Brother | – |
Relationship Status |
|
| Marital Status | Married |
| Who is his wife? | Kristen Roberts |
| Children | Three (Brady, Emery & Lane) |
Personal Life
Kirk acknowledges the immense significance of his family in his everyday life. He proudly states that his most noteworthy accomplishment is the presence of his “three remarkable children and an equally amazing wife.” Kirk’s commitment to his family resonates deeply, as he cherishes his wife, children, mother, and brother, and would readily go to great lengths to support and care for them. This profound devotion extends beyond his personal life and permeates his professional endeavors as well. Kirk embodies a seamless integration of his personal and work spheres; he is consistently himself, whether at home or on the job.
According to Keith, a close associate, Kirk exemplifies a family-oriented mindset that permeates his actions and interactions. His love and dedication extend not only to his immediate family but also to his colleagues, reflecting his holistic approach to life. This unwavering commitment to family values is further embodied by Kirk’s wife, Kristen, who actively contributes to fostering a similar familial atmosphere within and outside their professional engagements.
The Saarloos family’s genuine hospitality is evident through their hosting of barbeques on their porch, particularly for new recruits, effectively welcoming them into the larger TCU baseball family. This camaraderie is more than a team; it is a closely-knit group that exemplifies the essence of family.
Kirk Saarloos Net Worth
Kirk signed five years contract extension with the TCU authorities however, financial terms and conditions are unknown. He has enjoyed a successful career as a player and is also, looking rock solid as a head coach. From all these years of dedication and hard work, he has amassed quite a good fortune with lots of love as well. Well with his current coaching career, he will be accumulating more to add to his net worth.
