Cats sign three from champhionship team
Published on December 22, 2005 under American Association (AA)
Fort Worth Cats News Release
The Fort Worth Cats have signed three members of their 2005 Central League championship team: left-handed pitcher Joel Kirsten, right-handed pitcher Matt Harrington and catcher Ken Lup.
Kirsten, 24, joined the team on July 2 and made 12 regular-season appearances including three starts. He was 1-2 with a 3.26 ERA in 30 1/3 innings of work. He struck out 28 batters and walked just 10. Kirsten was 2-1 with a 2.91 ERA in four playoff appearances. He was the winning pitcher in the Cats' Game 5 win over San Angelo in the championship series after starting that game and going 6 2/3 innings and not allowing an earned run.
The former 25th draft pick of the Texas in 2002, Kirsten spent three seasons in the Rangers' organization including a 7-1 mark at Class-A Clinton in the Midwest League in 2004.
Harrington, 23, was 5-0 with a 3.55 ERA in 23 games out of the Cats' bullpen. In 33 innigns of work, he struck out 31 and walked 11. The 2005 campaign marked Harrington's third season with Fort Worth. He joined the team in 2002 and has appeared in 62 games with the Cats, posting a 10-11 record with a 4.00 ERA.
He was the seventh pick overall in the 2000 major league draft but did not sign with the Rockies. He has since been drafted four more times; most recently by the Yankees in the 2004 June draft.
Lup, 23, batted .265 with 20 RBI in 39 games with the Cats in 2005. He belted his first professional home run at San Angelo on Aug. 2, 2005. He had a game-winning double against Shreveport on June 27, an 11-10 Cats victory in 12 innings.
Lup was the 14th overall selection in the 2005 CBL Tryout Camp draft held at LaGrave Field. He finished his college baseball career at William Patterson University in 2004.
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