Jackson Kowar
Jackson Kowar | |
---|---|
![]() Kowar with the Florida Gators in 2018 | |
Kansas City Royals – No. 37 | |
Pitcher | |
Born: Weddington, North Carolina | October 4, 1996|
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
MLB debut | |
June 7, 2021, for the Kansas City Royals | |
MLB statistics (through 2021 season) | |
Win–loss record | 0–6 |
Earned run average | 11.27 |
Strikeouts | 29 |
Teams | |
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Jackson Alexander Kowar (born October 4, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB).
Amateur career[]
Kowar was born and raised in Weddington, North Carolina. He attended Charlotte Christian School in Charlotte, North Carolina.[1] He originally signed to play college baseball for Clemson University as a sophomore, but was granted his release following a coaching change.[2] As a senior, he compiled a 10-1 record and 0.20 ERA with 118 strikeouts in 71 innings. He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 40th round of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft but did not sign and instead enrolled at the University of Florida.[3]
As a freshman in 2016, Kowar appeared in 12 games, pitching to a 3-0 record and 3.37 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 34+2⁄3 innings pitched. His season was ended in May as he was sidelined due to a medical condition not related to baseball.[4][5] He returned in 2017 and went 12-1, tying Florida's best single-season record in school history, along with posting a 4.08 ERA with 84 strikeouts in 19 games (18 starts).[6] During the 2017 College World Series, Kowar earned the save in the championship game, pitching 1+2⁄3 scoreless innings, clinching Florida's 2017 national title.[7] In 2018, as a junior, Kowar was named to the All-SEC Second Team.[8] He finished his junior year with a 10-5 record and a 3.04 ERA in 18 starts.[9]
Professional career[]
Kowar was selected by the Kansas City Royals with the 33rd overall pick in the 2018 Major League Baseball draft, and he signed for $2,147,500.[10][11] He made his professional debut with the Lexington Legends of the Class A South Atlantic League.[12] In nine starts, he went 0-1 with a 3.42 ERA.[13] Kowar began 2019 with the Wilmington Blue Rocks of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League, with whom he was named an All-Star.[14][15] After pitching to a 5-3 record with a 3.53 ERA in 13 starts, he was promoted to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals of the Class AA Texas League,[16] with whom he finished the year. Over 13 starts with the Naturals, he went 2-7 with a 3.51 ERA, striking out 78 over 74+1⁄3 innings.[17]
Kowar did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[18] To begin the 2021 season, he was assigned to the Omaha Storm Chasers of the Triple-A East League.[19] Over six games to begin the year, Kowar logged a 5-0 record and 0.85 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 31+1⁄3 innings of work.[20]
On June 6, 2021, it was announced that Kowar would be promoted to the major leagues to be the starting pitcher the following day against the Los Angeles Angels.[21] The next day, he was officially selected to the active roster.[22] In his debut, Kowar gave up four earned runs, allowed three hits, walked two batters, and threw three wild pitches before he was removed from the game in the first inning with two outs.[23]
Personal life[]
Kowar's father, Frank Kowar, was a minor league player in the Toronto Blue Jays organization.[24]
References[]
- ^ "Charlotte Christian's Jackson Kowar proves his dominance". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
- ^ "Improbable journey to title for Kowar". wcnc.com. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
- ^ "Pitcher Jackson Kowar Looks Ahead to 2017 Florida Baseball". Retrieved March 24, 2018.
- ^ "Medical condition sidelines UF pitcher". The Gainesville Sun. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
- ^ "Florida Gators baseball copes with injuries ahead of Gainesville Regional". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
- ^ "Brady Singer, Jackson Kowar carry weight of MLB draft projections and Gators' own lofty expectations into season". ajc.com. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
- ^ "Gutty decision to go to Kowar helped save CWS win". The Gainesville Sun. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
- ^ "Shewmake, Helman make cut as 2018 SEC Baseball Awards Announced". kbtx.com. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
- ^ FOX Sports Kansas City (July 2, 2018). "Royals sign 33rd overall pick Jackson Kowar". FOX Sports. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
- ^ http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-florida/article212281429.html[bare URL]
- ^ https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article214240794.html
- ^ https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article214871730.html
- ^ "Jackson Kowar Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
- ^ https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article228822374.html
- ^ Janus, Matt (June 11, 2019). "Six Blue Rocks Named Carolina League All Stars | Blue Rocks". Milb.com. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
- ^ RotoWire Staff. "Royals' Jackson Kowar: Moves up to Double-A". CBSSports.com. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
- ^ RotoWire Staff. "Royals' Jackson Kowar: To attend big-league camp". CBSSports.com. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
- ^ Jeff Todd (June 30, 2020). "2020 Minor League Season Canceled". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
- ^ "Royals set 2021 Minor League rosters". Mlb.com. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
- ^ "Kowar Gets the Call: Storm Chasers ace called up by Kansas City". June 7, 2021.
- ^ Anthony Franco. "Royals To Select Jackson Kowar". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
- ^ Mark Polishuk. "Royals Designate Jake Newberry For Assignment". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
- ^ https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article251965913.html
- ^ "A Florida Baseball Father's Support Never Stops". ESPN 98.1 FM - 850 AM WRUF. June 19, 2018. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
External links[]
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
- Florida Gators bio
- 1996 births
- Living people
- Baseball players from Charlotte, North Carolina
- People from Weddington, North Carolina
- Major League Baseball pitchers
- Kansas City Royals players
- Florida Gators baseball players
- Lexington Legends players
- Wilmington Blue Rocks players
- Northwest Arkansas Naturals players
- Omaha Storm Chasers players