Geer promoted; Kirby joins Wizards

Fort Wayne, IN – Right-hander Jon Kirby, the 31st round selection by the San Diego Padres in this year’s June Amateur Draft, became the first player to join the Fort Wayne Wizards today. Kirby takes the roster spot of right-hander Josh Geer, who was promoted to the Padres high-level single-A team, the Lake Elsinore Storm of the California League.

Jon Kirby was a first-team NAIA All-American with Lee University in Tennessee. He held opponents to a .150 batting average this season and did not issue a home run. He finished his two-year career at Lee with a mark of 24-4 and 241 strikeouts, four short of the school record. Kirby led the Flames to back-to-back seasons of 40-plus wins and a trip to the NAIA World Series in 2005.

Josh Geer was 6-2 with a 3.10 earned run average in 12 appearances, including 11 starts. In 72 2/3 innings, he allowed 72 hits and 13 walks, while striking out 46.

The Wizards close out the first-half of the 2006 Midwest League schedule with a two-game homestand against the West Michigan Whitecaps (Detroit Tigers affiliate) starting at 7:00 p.m. tonight. The two teams wrap up the series with a Father’s Day special at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.