Kurt Birkins thought, perhaps, it was time for a change.
“Maybe go back to college, and get a real job,” said Birkins, standing in the Oriole clubhouse after Wednesday?s game.
While pitching for Single-A Frederick a few years back, lefty Birkins had a shoulder injury that required sixs week of rehab work in Florida.
During that time Birkins, 25, talked about his future with Jim McDowell, his California-based agent. McDowell is the brother of Jack McDowell, a former Major League pitcher.
While Birkins had doubts on his future, Jim McDowell made it clear that Birkins had the ability to make the big leagues. And McDowell was right: Birkins made it to Double-A Bowie in 2005, started this season at Triple-A Ottawa and made his Major League debut with the Orioles May 4.
“It is getting a little better. It has been a little nerve-wracking. I am getting a little more comfortable,” said Birkins, a 33rd-round draft pick in 2000 by the Orioles out of UCLA.
The California native allowed no runs and no hits in 1.2 innings out of the bullpen Wednesday against Detroit. His two brothers and other family members were among the sparse crowd of 15,548 to see the Orioles fall, 6-3, to the Tigers.
In his first three outings with the Orioles, the lefty did not allow an earned run (and just two hits) in 5.2 innings.
“Off the field, everything is what I expected” in the majors, Birkins said. He is friends with Chris Ray, Nick Markakis and Brandon Fahey, other products of the farm system who have made it to The Show.
Birkins grew up in California as a fan of the Atlanta Braves, thanks to the wonders of cable television. “Kind of weird in L.A.,” he said of his choice of a favorite club.
Now Birkins gets to work with first-year Oriole pitching coach Leo Mazzone, who guided the Atlanta Braves? staff to years of success.
“I have seen him rocking for years,” Birkins said of Mazzone?s habit on the bench.
THE BIRKINS FILE
Position: Pitcher
Height/weight: 6-2/188
Hometown: Canoga Park, CA
Did you know? Birkins made a switch from a starter to a reliever while with Single-A Frederick of the Carolina League in 2004. “I think just going to the field every day, not knowing you are going to pitch or not” is the biggest change, Birkins said … He was 7-11 with an ERA of 3.91 in 26 games (24starts) while with Double-A Bowie last season in the Eastern League … Birkins? first pitch in the top of the ninth Wednesday was a fastball clocked at 92 miles per hour.
