The former Royals' top pick, Jackson Kowar, is facing another career setback after the Seattle Mariners designated him for assignment. This move comes as a result of the Mariners' recent acquisition of catcher Jhonny Pereda from the Royals' division rivals in Minnesota, requiring them to create space on their 40-man roster.
Kowar's journey with the Royals has been a challenging one since his debut in 2021. Despite his impressive performance as a standout arm at the University of Florida, he struggled to find his footing in the big leagues. His initial call-up in 2021 resulted in a disappointing 11.27 ERA, 2.08 WHIP, and .326 BAA across 30.1 innings.
The following two seasons didn't improve his standing, with a 9.77 ERA in 2022 and a 6.43 ERA in 2023. These performances led to his trade to the Atlanta Braves in the Kyle Wright deal, and subsequently, to the Seattle Mariners just a few weeks later.
After undergoing Tommy John Surgery, Kowar made a sporadic return to the majors in 2025, posting a respectable 4.24 ERA across 17.0 innings of work. His average fastball velocity of 97.3 mph places him in the 90th percentile of league pitchers, and his fastball-slider combo has proven effective, with both pitches holding BAA marks under .240.
Despite his recent success, the question remains whether Kowar will receive another big league opportunity. His journeyman status and the 'if' in that statement are a stark reminder that his career path may not have been what many envisioned when he was selected 33rd overall in the draft.
