Kurt Ainsworth

Kurt Harold Ainsworth...he and his wife, Angie, have a daughter, Kaylyn Nicole (8/8/02) and a son, Alex (3/31/05)...graduated from Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, LA...was named First Team All-State in 1996...played in Louisiana All-Star game following his senior year...won the student-athlete and Catholic High Man of Year awards as a senior...attended Louisiana State University and returned each off-season to complete requirements for his degree, graduating in December 2004 with a Bachelor's degree in business...earned 1999 First Team All-America honors at LSU from *Baseball America* after posting a 13-6 mark with a 3.45 ERA and 157 strikeouts in 130.1 innings...led Tigers to NCAA "Sweet 16" Super Regional round in 1999 after being named Most Outstanding Player in regional held at Baton Rouge...originally signed by San Francisco scout Tom Korenek.

2005

Missed the entire season after surgery to repair a partially torn labrum and rotator cuff.

2004

Made only 7 starts for the Orioles and 3 in the minors as ineffectiveness and injuries cut short his season...Six of his 7 big league starts came at Camden Yards. Began the year in the Orioles starting rotation but was optioned to AAA Ottawa on May 15 after going 0-1 with a 9.68 ERA...Lost his first start on April 7 vs. Boston, and followed with 6 no-decisions. Allowed 6 or more runs in 4 of his 7 starts, including 7 or more earned runs in 3 starts...Despite that, the Orioles won 4 of his 7 starts. Allowed 7 earned runs in 1.2 innings in his first start on April 7 vs. Boston, then pitched to a 3.91 ERA over his next 4 outings (23.0IP, 10ER). Gave up one run in consecutive starts, April 28 vs. Seattle (5.0IP) and May 3 vs. Chicago (6.0IP). Yielded 16 ER over 6.0 innings in his last 2 starts...All 9 runners who reached base scored in 1.1 innings off him in his last start on May 14 vs. Anaheim. Optioned to AAA Ottawa on May 15, he made one start for the Lynx on May 20 at Toledo before experiencing soreness in his right elbow...Underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow on June 9 to remove fluid from the joint and rehabbed at the Orioles' minor league complex in Sarasota, FL. Made 2 starts on rehab at Class A Aberdeen beginning August 8...Allowed 2 hits and 3 walks in 6.2 innings before being shut down for the remainder of the season.

2003

Began the season with San Francisco, going 5-4 with a 3.82 ERA in 11 starts ... Went on the DL with fractured scapula in his pitching shoulder in the beginning of June ... Was traded to the Orioles along with pitchers Damian Moss and Ryan Hannaman in exchange for Sidney Ponson on July 31 ... Came back from his injury to pitch in three games (3 ER/2.1 IP) at the end of September.

2002

Spent majority of campaign at triple-A Fresno for 2nd straight year, but made 1st Major League Opening Day roster and closed out season with San Francisco...in 6 games (4 starts) for Giants, went 1-2 with 2.10 ERA (6er, 25.2ip)...had solid campaign at triple-A level, going 8-6 with 3.41 ERA, 4th-lowest mark in PCL, in 20 games (19 starts)...led Fresno staff in wins and ERA, while ranking 2nd in strikeouts (119) and 3rd in innings (116.0)...held opponents to .238 batting average (101-for-425) and 7 HRs in hitter-friendly PCL, while walking only 43...opened season in Giants' rotation, but was optioned to triple-A Fresno April 24 to make room for Jason Schmidt to come off Disabled List...he and Ryan Jensen became 1st 2 Giants rookies to start within 1st 5 games of year since 1990, when Russ Swan made lone start in 2nd game of season (Game 2 of DH) and Eric Gunderson took hill for 5th contest...made his 1st Major Leauge start April 6 vs. San Diego...didn't figure in final decision, but allowed 1 run over 5.0 innings...left trailing 1-0 and was helped by 2 Padres runners being gunned down at plate...SF plated 3 runs in 6th and added insurance in 8th for 4-1 triumph...earned 1st Major League victory April 12 over Milwaukee, allowing 1 unearned run over 7.0 innings of 5-1 win...defeated high school and college rival Ben Sheets, who was also on 2000 Olympic Gold Medal team...Barry Bonds tied Harmon Killebrew for 6th on all-time HR list with 3-run blast off Sheets in 3rd...was recalled by SF Sept. 3 and stayed with club throughout remainder of schedule...made 3 appearances (1 start), going 0-1 with 2.79 ERA (3er, 9.2ip)...was not on post season roster, but remained with club throughout World Series run.

2001

Spent 1st year at triple-A level with Fresno before Sept. call-up to Giants...earned 1st big league call-up just 1 year after helping Team USA to Olympic Gold in 2000 Summer Games in Sydney...made Major League debut Sept. 5 vs. Arizona, firing scoreless 9th inning (2h) and fanning Craig Counsell for 1st big league strikeout...did not fare as well in 2nd outing Sept. 19 vs. Houston, striking out pair before getting touched for 3-run HR by Moises Alou...while at Fresno, compiled 10-9 mark with 5.07 ERA in 27 games (26 starts)...was 9-9 with 5.22 ERA (83er, 143.0ip) as starter while winning lone relief outing...ranked 2nd in PCL and led Grizzlies staff with 157 strikeouts in 149 innings...strikeout total was 2nd best amongst all Giants farmhands, while his 10 wins tied for 5th...was 3-0 with 2.73 ERA in 5 games (4 starts) during August, earning him Fresno Player of Month accolades...owner of "Best Breaking Ball" in PCL according to Baseball America's 2001 Tools of the Trade poll.

2000

Spent 1st full year as professional at double-A Shreveport, earning Texas League All-Star accolades...posted 10-9 ledger with 3.30 ERA over 28 starts for Captains...finished among league leaders in ERA (5th), strikeouts (130, T-3rd) and innings pitched (158.0, 4th)...win total was tied for 3rd best among Giants farmhands, while he ranked 3rd in strikeouts and 5th in ERA...earned Shreveport Player of Month award twice, garnering honor in April and August...got off to quick start, going 3-0 with 1.27 ERA (4er, 28.1ip) over 5 starts in April...prior to campaign, attended 1st Major League Spring Training as non-roster invitee.

1999

Opened professional career at rookie-league Salem-Keizer...made 10 starts for Volcanoes, going 3-3 with 1.61 ERA and 1 complete game...went 3-1 with 1.51 mark (5er, 29.2ip) in final 5 outings at Salem-Keizer...following end of Northwest League campaign, was elevated to San Jose for Cal League post-season...in 3 playoff starts, went 2-0 with 0.44 ERA (1er, 20.1ip)...struck out 27 and walked 9.