FSL1 Daytona Tortugas

Austin Kirk Named FSL North Starter

Published on June 11, 2012 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Daytona Tortugas News Release


Daytona Cubs Pitcher Austin Kirk named Florida State League North starting pitcher for 2012 All-Star game on Saturday, June 16th at 7:05p.m.

On Monday, June 11th, Florida State League North All-Star Manager Brian Harper announced that LHP Austin Kirk has been named the starting pitcher for the North team in the 2012 FSL All-Star game on June 16th in Port Charlotte, FL. On June 1st, the Florida State League 2012 North and South All-Star Teams were announced by League President Chuck Murphy. The 51st All-Star Game will be played at Charlotte Sports Park, home of the Charlotte Stone Crabs, on Saturday, June 16, 2012 at 7:05 p.m. Kirk, along with INF Arismendy Alcantara, OF Nelson Perez, INF Greg Rohan and OF Matt Szczur were the Daytona Cubs selected as 2012 FSL Mid-Season All-Stars.

Harper, who is also the manager of the Daytona Cubs, has been impressed with both the work ethic and production of Kirk in his first season playing for Daytona.

"Kirk has really pitched great all season," Harper said. "If he had the run support, he could easily have seven or eight wins. He's always been a hard worker, he's always prepared before a start, and the way he works and studies during his non-pitching days shows in the results he gives us game in and game out."

Kirk established himself as the ace of Daytona's pitching staff after holding opponents to two runs or less in each of his first seven starts in 2012 (47 IP). With a 2-1 record and an ERA of 2.63 through 12 starts and 13 appearances, Kirk has only allowed one homerun this season, and stands as the only of 16 pitchers in the FSL who has worked over 60 innings while allowing less than three homeruns. The Owasso, OK native has a strikeout-to-walk ratio of over 5:2 (46:18) and ranks tied for second in the league with 78.2 innings pitched. The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder ranks fourth in the FSL with his 2.63 ERA and fifth in WHIP with a 1.13 mark. Kirk, the third round pick of the Chicago Cubs in 2009 out of Owasso High School, has consistently given Daytona a chance to win, leaving with the Cubs leading or the game tied in 11 of his 12 starts this season. However, the Daytona Cubs bullpen has a season ERA of 5.35 in the 35.1 innings after Kirk has started the game. Kirk was a 2011 Midwest League All-Star for A-Peoria. The 22-year-old threw a nine inning no hitter in 2011 for the Chiefs at A-Clinton on July 4th.

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