TCU pitching coach Kirk Saarloos rumored to have been offered the same job with the Diamondbacks

TCU Baseball’s Kirk Saarloos is a man in high demand.

Heading into his seventh season with the Horned Frogs, the former Cal State Fullerton star and big league pitcher has had multiple opportunities to move to the big seat in the dugout, but stayed loyal to Jim Schlossnagle and TCU despite the many advances of collegiate clubs.

Well, this off-season, he had an even bigger fish come calling, as multiple sources confirmed that the Arizona Diamondbacks offered Saarloos their open pitching coach position.

Just last summer, Rice put the full-court press on the Frogs’ lead recruiter and pitching coach, though he elected to stay in Fort Worth (shortly after Schloss did the same, despite being pursued by Mississippi State). Under his direction, TCU has been among the nation’s ERA leaders, including 24th in 2018, 16th in 2016, tied for 2nd in 2015 and No. 1 in 2014. This season, he is looking at the deepest group of arms that the Frogs have had in quite some time, a group Schlossnagle called “impressive”, saying they could confidently go 12 deep if they stay healthy.

Not only exceptional at developing pitching talent, Saarloos has been one of the top recruiters in college baseball since beginning his coaching career at his alma mater. The Frogs have annually had top classes, including this year’s top five group. Keeping Saarloos in the fold for this season — and hopefully many more — is absolutely critical to TCU Baseball’s short and long term success.

The Frogs open their 2020 campaign on February 14th, when they begin a three game series with Kentucky at Lupton Stadium in Fort Worth. The Diamondbacks job remains open.