Tulsa World: Owasso's Kirk signs with Cubs

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Owasso's Kirk signs with Cubs

Owasso pitcher Austin Kirk (pictured) and the Chicago Cubs came to terms Tuesday on a major league baseball contract. Tulsa World File

By LYNN JACOBSEN World Sports Writer
Published: 7/21/2009 2:06 PM
Last Modified: 7/21/2009 2:12 PM

Owasso pitcher Austin Kirk and the Chicago Cubs came to terms Tuesday on a major league baseball contract.

The third round pick in the June amateur draft, the 2009 Tulsa World player of the year will leave Wednesday for the Cubs’ spring training facility in Mesa, Ariz.

“I’m very happy with the contract,” Kirk said. “The total package is worth more than $400,000.”

Kirk said he found the process challenging.

“It was a little more difficult than we thought,” he said. “So much of the negotiations were things I never really thought about before. The process took a little longer than I thought but in the end I think it paid off. All I have to do now is focus on baseball.”

The Cubs told the hard-throwing left-hander that he could be assigned to the organization’s short-season Boise team before the end of the summer.

“I’m excited to get the process going,” Kirk said.

Kirk was 9-1 with a 0.45 earned run average and 111 strikeouts this season for the three-time state champion Rams.

In three seasons at Owasso, Kirk compiled a 23-1 record and 1.38 ERA with 224 strikeouts.

Part of the package includes a trip for Kirk’s family to attend a Cubs game at Wrigley Field this season. While there, Kirk will have the chance to work out in the bullpen with the Cubs’ staff.

“I’m really looking forward to that,” Kirk said.

In addition, the Cubs have already tabbed him for the instructional league in Mesa this fall, Kirk said.

Said Owasso coach Larry Turner, “I’m excited for Austin. Maybe down the road we’ll see him with the Cubs and Pete (Kozma) with the Cardinals. Or possibly even the Marlins with (Dallas) Trahern.”

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By LYNN JACOBSEN World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS

Reader comments for this story have been moved to the most updated version of the story, now under the headline "Owasso's Kirk, Cubs reach deal," which was published on 7/22/2009. So far, 12 comments have been made.

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