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Jackson Kowar

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Jackson Kowar
Kowar with the Omaha Storm Chasers in 2023
Seattle Mariners – No. 37
Pitcher
Born: (1996-10-04) October 4, 1996 (age 28)
Weddington, North Carolina, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
June 7, 2021, for the Kansas City Royals
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record2–6
Earned run average9.12
Strikeouts75
Teams

Jackson Alexander Kowar (born October 4, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Kansas City Royals.

Amateur career

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Jackson Kowar pitching for the Florida Gators baseball team in 2018
Kowar pitching for Florida in 2018

Kowar was born and raised in Weddington, North Carolina. He attended Charlotte Christian School in Charlotte, North Carolina.[1] He became a pitcher on his high school baseball team his sophomore year, serving as the team's closer.[2] As a senior, he compiled a 10–1 win–loss record and 0.20 earned run average (ERA) with 118 strikeouts in 71 innings pitched. He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 40th round of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft but did not sign with the Tigers.[3][4]

Kowar committed to play college baseball for Clemson University as a high school sophomore but was granted his release following a coaching change.[5] He instead chose to attend the University of Florida.[6] He was roommates with future Royals teammate Brady Singer.[2] As a freshman in 2016 for the Gators, 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 ended in May due to a collapsed lung.[7][8][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.[9] During the 2017 College World Series, Kowar earned the save in the championship game, pitching 1+2⁄3 scoreless innings in his only relief appearance on the season, clinching Florida's 2017 national title.[5][10] In 2018, as a junior, Kowar was named to the All-SEC second team.[11] He finished his junior year with a 10–5 record and a 3.04 ERA in 18 starts.[12]

Professional career

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Kansas City Royals

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Kowar was selected by the Kansas City Royals with the 33rd overall pick in the 2018 Major League Baseball draft, and he signed for $2.1 million.[13] He made his professional debut that July with the Lexington Legends of the Single-A South Atlantic League.[14][15] In nine starts, he went 0–1 with a 3.42 ERA.[16] Kowar began 2019 with the Wilmington Blue Rocks of the High–A Carolina League, with whom he was named an All-Star.[17] 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 Double-A Texas League in June,[18] where he finished the season. Over 13 starts with the Naturals, he went 2–7 with a 3.51 ERA, striking out 78 over 74+1⁄3 innings.[19]

Kowar did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[20] He was selected to the team's alternate site for training during the abbreviated MLB season.[21] Kowar began the 2021 season with the Omaha Storm Chasers of the Triple-A East league.[22] In six games to begin the year, Kowar had a 5–0 record and 0.85 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 31+1⁄3 innings pitched.[23]

On June 6, 2021, the Royals announced Kowar would be promoted to the major leagues to be the starting pitcher the following day against the Los Angeles Angels.[24] He was officially selected to the active roster on June 7.[25] 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, getting only two outs.[26] In 9 appearances (8 starts) during his rookie campaign, Kowar posted a ghastly 0–6 record and 11.27 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 30+1⁄3 innings pitched. He received the Paul Splittorff Pitcher of the Year award from the Royals, given to the franchise's best minor league pitcher.[27]

Jackson Kowar with the Omaha Storm Chasers in 2022
Kowar with Omaha in 2022

In 2022, Kowar struggled in both Omaha and Kansas City. Starting 20 games for the Storm Chasers, he worked to a 4–10 record and 6.16 ERA with 88 strikeouts in 83+1⁄3 innings pitched. He limped to a 9.77 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 15+2⁄3 innings of work across 7 relief appearances for the Royals.[28]

Kowar began the 2023 season in Omaha and was called up to the Royals four times, sticking with the team after being recalled on August 17.[29][30] In 23 appearances relief for Kansas City, Kowar struggled to a 6.43 ERA with 29 strikeouts across 28 innings of work.[30]

Seattle Mariners

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Kowar was traded twice during the 2023 offseason, then was off the field for the 2024 season. On November 17, 2023, the Royals traded Kowar to the Atlanta Braves for pitcher Kyle Wright.[31] On December 3, he was traded with Cole Phillips by Atlanta to the Seattle Mariners for Jarred Kelenic, Marco Gonzales, and Evan White.[32] On March 10, 2024, the Mariners announced Kowar had a tear in his right ulnar collateral ligament, requiring Tommy John surgery and ending his season.[33] It was Kowar's first time on the injured list.[34]

Personal life

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Kowar's father, Frank Kowar, was a minor league pitcher in the Toronto Blue Jays organization in 1990.[35][36][37]

Kowar proposed to his fiancée Caroline Kerns in December 2023.[38][39]

References

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  1. ^ "Charlotte Christian's Jackson Kowar proves his dominance". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  2. ^ a b Lewis, Alec. "With every adjustment he makes, Royals prospect Jackson Kowar raises his ceiling". The Athletic. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  3. ^ "Jackson Kowar - Baseball". Florida Gators. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  4. ^ "40th Round of the 2015 MLB June Amateur Draft". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Hughes, Rob (July 6, 2017). "Improbable journey to title for Kowar". WCNC. Archived from the original on March 26, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  6. ^ "Pitcher Jackson Kowar Looks Ahead to 2017 Florida Baseball". October 20, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  7. ^ Andreu, Robbie (May 5, 2016). "Medical condition sidelines UF pitcher". The Gainesville Sun. Archived from the original on December 18, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  8. ^ Boone, Ray (June 1, 2017). "Florida Gators baseball copes with injuries ahead of Gainesville Regional". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  9. ^ "Brady Singer, Jackson Kowar carry weight of MLB draft projections and Gators' own lofty expectations into season". ajc.com. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  10. ^ "Gutty decision to go to Kowar helped save CWS win". The Gainesville Sun. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  11. ^ "Shewmake, Helman make cut as 2018 SEC Baseball Awards Announced". kbtx.com. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  12. ^ FOX Sports Kansas City (July 2, 2018). "Royals sign 33rd overall pick Jackson Kowar". FOX Sports. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  13. ^ "MLB Draft: Florida Gators' Jackson Kowar drafted by Royals | Miami Herald". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on June 9, 2018.
  14. ^ Schiffer, Alex (July 13, 2018). "After pro debut, Royals' Jackson Kowar welcomes expectations". Kansas City Star.
  15. ^ "Jackson Kowar 2018 College & Minor Leagues Game Logs & Splits". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  16. ^ "Jackson Kowar Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  17. ^ Janus, Matt (June 11, 2019). "Six Blue Rocks Named Carolina League All Stars | Blue Rocks". Milb.com. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  18. ^ RotoWire Staff. "Royals' Jackson Kowar: Moves up to Double-A". CBSSports.com. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  19. ^ RotoWire Staff. "Royals' Jackson Kowar: To attend big-league camp". CBSSports.com. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  20. ^ Jeff Todd (June 30, 2020). "2020 Minor League Season Canceled". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  21. ^ "Royals prospect report from alternate site". MLB.com. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  22. ^ "Royals set 2021 Minor League rosters". Mlb.com. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  23. ^ "Kowar Gets the Call: Storm Chasers ace called up by Kansas City". June 7, 2021.
  24. ^ Anthony Franco. "Royals To Select Jackson Kowar". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  25. ^ Mark Polishuk. "Royals Designate Jake Newberry For Assignment". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  26. ^ Worthy, Lynn (June 7, 2021). "Jackson Kowar can't make it through the first inning of his Kansas City Royals debut". Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on June 14, 2021.
  27. ^ "Royals name Players, Pitchers of the Year for Minor League affiliates". MLB.com. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  28. ^ "Jackson Kowar College & Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  29. ^ "Royals' Jackson Kowar: Optioned out to Triple-A". cbssports.com. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  30. ^ a b "Jackson Kowar Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  31. ^ Bowman, Mark (November 17, 2023). "Braves send Wright to Royals for reliever Kowar". MLB.com. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  32. ^ DeRosa, Theo (December 3, 2023). "Braves get Kelenic, Gonzales, White for 2 RHPs". MLB.com. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  33. ^ Polishuk, Mark (March 10, 2024). "Mariners' Jackson Kowar To Undergo Tommy John Surgery". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  34. ^ "Jackson Kowar Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  35. ^ Lewis, Alec. "With every adjustment he makes, Royals prospect Jackson Kowar raises his ceiling". The Athletic. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  36. ^ McGinn, Ryan (June 19, 2018). "A Florida Baseball Father's Support Never Stops". ESPN 98.1 FM – 850 AM WRUF. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  37. ^ "Frank Kowar Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  38. ^ Kowar, Jackson [@jacksonkowar] (December 17, 2023). "🧡" – via Instagram.
  39. ^ Kerns, Caroline [@carolinekerns] (December 24, 2023). "future husband 🤍 @jacksonkowar" – via Instagram.
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