Jackson Kowar Stats & Scouting Report

IP	74
ERA	9.122
WHIP	2.095
BB/9	6.203
SO/9	9.122

Full name Jackson Alexander Kowar
Born 10/04/1996 in Weddington, NC
Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Florida
Debut 06/07/2021
Drafted in the 1C round (33rd overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 2018 (signed for $2,147,500).

View Draft Report

Kowar would be the Friday night starter at almost any other school in the country, but instead serves as Florida's "1b" starter behind righthander Brady Singer. Kowar was a top high school prospect coming out of North Carolina in 2015, ranking No. 99 on the BA 500, but was seen as a tough sign and made it to Gainesville after the Tigers selected him in the 40th round. A 6-foot-6, 185-pound righthander, Kowar has improved every year with Florida and has an ideal frame with plenty of room to add more weight. Kowar has a clean arm action that he uses to throw a low to mid-90s fastball and a changeup that is currently a 60-grade offering. He is comfortable using his changeup against both righties and lefties, as the pitch has terrific fading action with fastball arm speed and routinely comes across in the low 80s. Kowar's breaking ball is behind his fastball and changeup. He tinkered with a slider in the fall prior to the 2018 season, but scrapped the pitch and reverted to a curveball that ranges from the mid- to upper 70s with three-quarter breaking action that occasionally has good depth and shows signs of a third average pitch. The curveball has been too inconsistent for area scouts to throw an average grade on it currently, as it tends to blend into a sluvry offering when he gets on the side of the pitch. But teams who have seen it at its best might believe he can eventually figure it out and add a third average pitch to his repertoire. Kowar has a few medical concerns in his past, as he's dealt with multiple collapsed lungs, one of which caused him to miss the second half of his freshman season. Given his current stuff and the projection he still has with a lanky and athletic body, in addition to his developing SEC track record, he should give Florida a second first-round pitcher selected and there are teams who prefer Kowar to his rotation mate.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: The 2022 season was one of ups and downs--but more downs--for Kowar, one of two Royals first round picks in 2018 after a stellar career for the Florida Gators. He got another chance in major league games, but just like in 2021 he was pummeled by big league hitters. While he had flashes of his old stuff in Triple-A, Kowar wasn't the same pitcher that he's been in the past.

Scouting Report: Kowar's problems stem from the command and life of his mid-90s fastball, which was a tick or two down from the past. The pitch is very hittable when he tries to stay behind the pitch and get armside run, and later in games the tilt and vertical break would drop. He still gets swings-and-misses when the fastball is true with carry. The 86-mph changeup is a double-plus pitch that dives down in the zone and can get ugly swings-and-misses, but at times he didn't command the pitch and left it up and out over the plate. Compounding his issues, he also struggled to throw his breaking balls for strikes. The 78-mph curveball was developing nicely prior to this year and has potential to be an above-average pitch, but he's been using an 83-mph slider more often and needs to find more consistency with it.

The Future: Past versions of Kowar profiled as a No. 3 starter, but talent evaluators believe he'd be best suited to a bullpen role where he can work with his fastball/changeup combo. Getting Kowar back on track in 2023 will be one of many challenges for the new Royals pitching development team.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50. Curveball: 55. Slider: 45. Changeup: 70. Control: 40
Track Record: Of the five college pitchers the Royals took in the first two rounds of the 2018 draft, Kowar was the fourth to make it to the big leagues, with his debut coming on June 7, 2021. The former Florida righthander struggled to command his fastball in the majors and logged an ugly 11.27 ERA in nine appearances (eight starts), but he was solid throughout the rest of the season in Triple-A.

Scouting Report: Kowar’s plus-plus changeup continues to be the gem of his arsenal. He throws his changeup with confidence and its trapdoor action makes it a tough pitch to barrel. Kowar complements his changeup with a fastball that sits 94-95 mph but plays down from its velocity at times. When his fastball gets up in the zone, it flattens out and there’s not a lot of deception. When he’s on top of the pitch it has two-seam running life in on righthanded batters and late sinking action. Kowar’s curveball was a below-average pitch he used infrequently in college, but he worked on it extensively at the alternate training site in 2020. It has improved to the point that it’s now an above-average pitch with the potential to be a plus offering. It has 11-to-5 shape with good spin, and will be more effective when he lands it for strikes with greater frequency. Kowar uses a three-quarters delivery with a full stroke and the ball comes out clean, giving him average control.

The Future: Kowar will be ready for another chance at the majors in 2022. He has the velocity and stuff to be a mid-rotation starter and will head to spring training looking for a spot in the Royals’ rotation.
Fastball: 60. Changeup: 70. Curveball: 50. Control: 55.

TRACK RECORD: Kowar teamed with Brady Singer to lead Florida to the 2017 College World Series title as the Gators’ top two starters. The Royals drafted both of them in the first round in 2018, Singer with the 18th pick and Kowar with the 33rd. Kansas City kept them together as they ascended to Double-A. Singer jumped to the majors in 2020, but Kowar stayed back at the alternate training site.

SCOUTING REPORT: Kowar’s changeup is the gem of his arsenal. It’s a nasty, plus-plus offering at 83-85 mph that confounds hitters with its trapdoor action. It generates swings and misses from both lefthanded and righthanded hitters, and he’s comfortable throwing it in any count. Kowar pairs his changeup with a two-seam fastball that checks in at 93-96 mph with armside sink. He has a tendency to overthrow his fastball, so he worked at the alternate site to keep his delivery more under control and improve his fastball command. Kowar’s mid-70s curveball is a work in progress, but it’s a potentially average pitch he is learning to locate on both sides of the plate. He throws plenty of strikes with at least average control.

THE FUTURE: Kowar’s major league debut should come in 2021. He projects to join Singer in the middle of the Royals’ rotation for years to come.
TRACK RECORD: Kowar teamed with Brady Singer to lead Florida to a College World Series win in 2017. The Royals drafted Singer 18th overall a year later and selected Kowar shortly after with the 33rd overall pick. Both made the jump to Double-A in their first full seasons, with Kowar pulling ahead of Singer in the eyes of many evaluators.

SCOUTING REPORT: Kowar is defined by his changeup. It's a lethal, plus-plus offering that comes at hitters in the mid-80s before falling through a trap door, drawing foolish swings and leaving opponents confounded. He pairs his changeup with a 93-96 mph fastball that has two-seam life in on righthanded batters, and that fastball-changeup combination is often all he needs to dominate. Kowar's low-70s curveball with three-quarters break is still developing, but he has gained more confidence in it to take pressure off his changeup. It has average potential but could improve as his comfort level grows. Kowar is a fierce competitor on the mound who never backs down from a challenge. He is an effective strike-thrower and can expand the zone when needed.

THE FUTURE: Kowar will spend 2020 at the upper levels of the minors, with Triple-A Omaha on the horizon. Developing his breaking ball is his top priority.
Track Record: Royals scouts obviously liked what they saw from the University of Florida pitching staff in 2018 because they used their top two draft picks to grab the Gators' top two starters. They took Brady Singer at No. 18 and Kowar at No. 33. Like Singer, Kowar had a very storied Gators career. Kowar finished with the third-best winning percentage (.803) in Florida history. His final outing in the College World Series saw him strikeout 13 in 6.2 shutout innings.

Scouting Report: Like Singer, Kowar already sports a pair of plus pitches. His wipeout plus-plus changeup is already regarded as the best in the organization. He has easy velocity, and his fastball touched 97 mph in his pro debut. He delivers his pitches with a clean arm action, and he should be able to improve his velocity as he adds strength to his tall, lean frame. Kowar generates fastball arm speed and screwball action on his 85-87 mph changeup, which has plenty of fading life. His breaking ball got slurvy at Florida before he settled into a mid-to-upper-70s curveball that projects to be an average pitch as he gets more consistency with it. That will be a key development focus for him as a pro because he's long struggled to find a breaking ball he is comfortable using regularly. Kowar pitches with a free-and-easy delivery, though he can get in trouble when he gets too quick with his delivery and leaves pitches up in the zone.

The Future: Kowar will continue to pair with Singer as they advance to the big leagues. They will start the season together at high Class A Wilmington.

Draft Prospects

Kowar would be the Friday night starter at almost any other school in the country, but instead serves as Florida's "1b" starter behind righthander Brady Singer. Kowar was a top high school prospect coming out of North Carolina in 2015, ranking No. 99 on the BA 500, but was seen as a tough sign and made it to Gainesville after the Tigers selected him in the 40th round. A 6-foot-6, 185-pound righthander, Kowar has improved every year with Florida and has an ideal frame with plenty of room to add more weight. Kowar has a clean arm action that he uses to throw a low to mid-90s fastball and a changeup that is currently a 60-grade offering. He is comfortable using his changeup against both righties and lefties, as the pitch has terrific fading action with fastball arm speed and routinely comes across in the low 80s. Kowar's breaking ball is behind his fastball and changeup. He tinkered with a slider in the fall prior to the 2018 season, but scrapped the pitch and reverted to a curveball that ranges from the mid- to upper 70s with three-quarter breaking action that occasionally has good depth and shows signs of a third average pitch. The curveball has been too inconsistent for area scouts to throw an average grade on it currently, as it tends to blend into a sluvry offering when he gets on the side of the pitch. But teams who have seen it at its best might believe he can eventually figure it out and add a third average pitch to his repertoire. Kowar has a few medical concerns in his past, as he's dealt with multiple collapsed lungs, one of which caused him to miss the second half of his freshman season. Given his current stuff and the projection he still has with a lanky and athletic body, in addition to his developing SEC track record, he should give Florida a second first-round pitcher selected and there are teams who prefer Kowar to his rotation mate.
Kowar entered last summer with arm speed and a super projectable body, listed at 6-foot-4, 160 pounds. He mostly pitched in the upper 80s, with command of his fastball and a sweeping slider. This spring, Kowar has taken significant strides forward. He's added some meat to his bones, weighing in around 180 pounds. As a result, his velocity has taken a jump; he pitches mostly at 89-92, but his fastball gets as high as 94. Throwing from a lower three-quarters arm slot, Kowar generates above-average movement on his fastball and still maintains command of the pitch. Both his slider and changeup have developed into weapons. The slider works in the upper 70s at its best with tight spin and 10-to-4 sweep, sliding away from righthanded bats. The changeup can mimic Kowar's fastball movement, with sink as he spots it down and to both sides of the plate. There's some concern about Kowar's arm action, as he plunges in the back and finishes across his body. A strong student, Kowar is committed to Clemson, where he could jump right into the weekend rotation as a freshman, and could develop into a first-round talent if his stuff advances as expected. Scouts see him as a tough sign out of high school, though some may be in on him early enough for him to sign.

Minor League Top Prospects

Another Royals 2018 first-round pick out of Florida, Kowar followed in Brady Singer's footsteps by jumping to Double-A just before the all-star break. His 3.51 ERA ranked seventh in the Texas League from the time he joined. Managers voted Kowar’s changeup the best in both the Carolina and Texas leagues this season. The pitch received some 70-grades from evaluators and allowed his low- to mid-90s fastball to play up. Kowar’s development of his average, upper-70s curveball will be key to his future development. He throws all three pitches with average to above-average control. "[Kowar] and Singer are both really good,” one Texas League manager said. "I’m not sure if one is better, but I’d take both on my team. Their stuff is obviously good, but more than anything you can tell they know how to pitch. They have a plan out there.”
The Royals took five college pitchers in the first 58 picks of the 2018 draft, and all fared well this year at Wilmington. There’s no consensus on which is the best long-term prospect, but Kowar might have the best overall arsenal. CL managers rated Kowar’s fastball and changeup as the best in the league. "Kowar’s fastball was 97-98, and he had a really good breaking ball,” Down East manager Corey Ragsdale said. "He was on the attack all the time.” Kowar, the 33rd overall pick in 2018, also throws a plus changeup. He posted strikingly similar numbers at Double-A Northwest Arkansas to the ones he had with the Blue Rocks. In the more hitter-friendly Texas League, he had a 3.51 ERA across 13 starts covering 74.1 innings. His strikeout rate went up from eight batters per nine innings to 9.4. "Jackson’s a fierce competitor," Wilmington manager Scott Thorman said. "He brings a lot of energy to the table.”

Top 100 Rankings

Best Tools List

Rated Best Changeup in the Kansas City Royals in 2020
Rated Best Changeup in the Kansas City Royals in 2019

Scouting Reports

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: The 2022 season was one of ups and downs--but more downs--for Kowar, one of two Royals first round picks in 2018 after a stellar career for the Florida Gators. He got another chance in major league games, but just like in 2021 he was pummeled by big league hitters. While he had flashes of his old stuff in Triple-A, Kowar wasn't the same pitcher that he's been in the past.

Scouting Report: Kowar's problems stem from the command and life of his mid-90s fastball, which was a tick or two down from the past. The pitch is very hittable when he tries to stay behind the pitch and get armside run, and later in games the tilt and vertical break would drop. He still gets swings-and-misses when the fastball is true with carry. The 86-mph changeup is a double-plus pitch that dives down in the zone and can get ugly swings-and-misses, but at times he didn't command the pitch and left it up and out over the plate. Compounding his issues, he also struggled to throw his breaking balls for strikes. The 78-mph curveball was developing nicely prior to this year and has potential to be an above-average pitch, but he's been using an 83-mph slider more often and needs to find more consistency with it.

The Future: Past versions of Kowar profiled as a No. 3 starter, but talent evaluators believe he'd be best suited to a bullpen role where he can work with his fastball/changeup combo. Getting Kowar back on track in 2023 will be one of many challenges for the new Royals pitching development team.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50. Curveball: 55. Slider: 45. Changeup: 70. Control: 40
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: The 2022 season was one of ups and downs--but more downs--for Kowar, one of two Royals first round picks in 2018 after a stellar career for the Florida Gators. He got another chance in major league games, but just like in 2021 he was pummeled by big league hitters. While he had flashes of his old stuff in Triple-A, Kowar wasn't the same pitcher that he's been in the past.

Scouting Report: Kowar's problems stem from the command and life of his mid-90s fastball, which was a tick or two down from the past. The pitch is very hittable when he tries to stay behind the pitch and get armside run, and later in games the tilt and vertical break would drop. He still gets swings-and-misses when the fastball is true with carry. The 86-mph changeup is a double-plus pitch that dives down in the zone and can get ugly swings-and-misses, but at times he didn't command the pitch and left it up and out over the plate. Compounding his issues, he also struggled to throw his breaking balls for strikes. The 78-mph curveball was developing nicely prior to this year and has potential to be an above-average pitch, but he's been using an 83-mph slider more often and needs to find more consistency with it.

The Future: Past versions of Kowar profiled as a No. 3 starter, but talent evaluators believe he'd be best suited to a bullpen role where he can work with his fastball/changeup combo. Getting Kowar back on track in 2023 will be one of many challenges for the new Royals pitching development team.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50. Curveball: 55. Slider: 45. Changeup: 70. Control: 40
BA Grade: 55/Medium

Track Record: Of the five college pitchers the Royals took in the first two rounds of the 2018 draft, Kowar was the fourth to make it to the big leagues, with his debut coming on June 7, 2021. The former Florida righthander struggled to command his fastball in the majors and logged an ugly 11.27 ERA in nine appearances (eight starts), but he was solid throughout the rest of the season in Triple-A.

Scouting Report: Kowar&#39s plus-plus changeup continues to be the gem of his arsenal. He throws his changeup with confidence and its trapdoor action makes it a tough pitch to barrel. Kowar complements his changeup with a fastball that sits 94-95 mph but plays down from its velocity at times. When his fastball gets up in the zone, it flattens out and there&#39s not a lot of deception. When he&#39s on top of the pitch it has two-seam running life in on righthanded batters and late sinking action. Kowar&#39s curveball was a below-average pitch he used infrequently in college, but he worked on it extensively at the alternate training site in 2020. It has improved to the point that it&#39s now an above-average pitch with the potential to be a plus offering. It has 11-to-5 shape with good spin, and will be more effective when he lands it for strikes with greater frequency. Kowar uses a three-quarters delivery with a full stroke and the ball comes out clean, giving him average control.

The Future: Kowar will be ready for another chance at the majors in 2022. He has the velocity and stuff to be a mid-rotation starter and will head to spring training looking for a spot in the Royals&#39 rotation.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Slider: 45. Changeup: 70. Control 45.
Track Record: Of the five college pitchers the Royals took in the first two rounds of the 2018 draft, Kowar was the fourth to make it to the big leagues, with his debut coming on June 7, 2021. The former Florida righthander struggled to command his fastball in the majors and logged an ugly 11.27 ERA in nine appearances (eight starts), but he was solid throughout the rest of the season in Triple-A.

Scouting Report: Kowar’s plus-plus changeup continues to be the gem of his arsenal. He throws his changeup with confidence and its trapdoor action makes it a tough pitch to barrel. Kowar complements his changeup with a fastball that sits 94-95 mph but plays down from its velocity at times. When his fastball gets up in the zone, it flattens out and there’s not a lot of deception. When he’s on top of the pitch it has two-seam running life in on righthanded batters and late sinking action. Kowar’s curveball was a below-average pitch he used infrequently in college, but he worked on it extensively at the alternate training site in 2020. It has improved to the point that it’s now an above-average pitch with the potential to be a plus offering. It has 11-to-5 shape with good spin, and will be more effective when he lands it for strikes with greater frequency. Kowar uses a three-quarters delivery with a full stroke and the ball comes out clean, giving him average control.

The Future: Kowar will be ready for another chance at the majors in 2022. He has the velocity and stuff to be a mid-rotation starter and will head to spring training looking for a spot in the Royals’ rotation.
Fastball: 60. Changeup: 70. Curveball: 50. Control: 55.

TRACK RECORD: Kowar teamed with Brady Singer to lead Florida to the 2017 College World Series title as the Gators' top two starters. The Royals drafted both of them in the first round in 2018, Singer with the 18th pick and Kowar with the 33rd. Kansas City kept them together as they ascended to Double-A. Singer jumped to the majors in 2020, but Kowar stayed back at the alternate training site.

SCOUTING REPORT: Kowar's changeup is the gem of his arsenal. It's a nasty, plus-plus offering at 83-85 mph that confounds hitters with its trapdoor action. It generates swings and misses from both lefthanded and righthanded hitters, and he's comfortable throwing it in any count. Kowar pairs his changeup with a two-seam fastball that checks in at 93-96 mph with armside sink. He has a tendency to overthrow his fastball, so he worked at the alternate site to keep his delivery more under control and improve his fastball command. Kowar's mid-70s curveball is a work in progress, but it's a potentially average pitch he is learning to locate on both sides of the plate. He throws plenty of strikes with at least average control.

THE FUTURE: Kowar's major league debut should come in 2021. He projects to join Singer in the middle of the Royals' rotation for years to come.
Fastball: 60. Changeup: 70. Curveball: 50. Control: 55.

TRACK RECORD: Kowar teamed with Brady Singer to lead Florida to the 2017 College World Series title as the Gators’ top two starters. The Royals drafted both of them in the first round in 2018, Singer with the 18th pick and Kowar with the 33rd. Kansas City kept them together as they ascended to Double-A. Singer jumped to the majors in 2020, but Kowar stayed back at the alternate training site.

SCOUTING REPORT: Kowar’s changeup is the gem of his arsenal. It’s a nasty, plus-plus offering at 83-85 mph that confounds hitters with its trapdoor action. It generates swings and misses from both lefthanded and righthanded hitters, and he’s comfortable throwing it in any count. Kowar pairs his changeup with a two-seam fastball that checks in at 93-96 mph with armside sink. He has a tendency to overthrow his fastball, so he worked at the alternate site to keep his delivery more under control and improve his fastball command. Kowar’s mid-70s curveball is a work in progress, but it’s a potentially average pitch he is learning to locate on both sides of the plate. He throws plenty of strikes with at least average control.

THE FUTURE: Kowar’s major league debut should come in 2021. He projects to join Singer in the middle of the Royals’ rotation for years to come.
Fastball: 60. Changeup: 70. Curveball: 50. Control: 55.

TRACK RECORD: Kowar teamed with Brady Singer to lead Florida to the 2017 College World Series title as the Gators’ top two starters. The Royals drafted both of them in the first round in 2018, Singer with the 18th pick and Kowar with the 33rd. Kansas City kept them together as they ascended to Double-A. Singer jumped to the majors in 2020, but Kowar stayed back at the alternate training site.

SCOUTING REPORT: Kowar’s changeup is the gem of his arsenal. It’s a nasty, plus-plus offering at 83-85 mph that confounds hitters with its trapdoor action. It generates swings and misses from both lefthanded and righthanded hitters, and he’s comfortable throwing it in any count. Kowar pairs his changeup with a two-seam fastball that checks in at 93-96 mph with armside sink. He has a tendency to overthrow his fastball, so he worked at the alternate site to keep his delivery more under control and improve his fastball command. Kowar’s mid-70s curveball is a work in progress, but it’s a potentially average pitch he is learning to locate on both sides of the plate. He throws plenty of strikes with at least average control.

THE FUTURE: Kowar’s major league debut should come in 2021. He projects to join Singer in the middle of the Royals’ rotation for years to come.
TRACK RECORD: Kowar teamed with Brady Singer to lead Florida to a College World Series win in 2017. The Royals drafted Singer 18th overall a year later and selected Kowar shortly after with the 33rd overall pick. Both made the jump to Double-A in their first full seasons, with Kowar pulling ahead of Singer in the eyes of many evaluators.

SCOUTING REPORT: Kowar is defined by his changeup. It’s a lethal, plus-plus offering that comes at hitters in the mid-80s before falling through a trap door, drawing foolish swings and leaving opponents confounded. He pairs his changeup with a 93-96 mph fastball that has two-seam life in on righthanded batters, and that fastball-changeup combination is often all he needs to dominate. Kowar’s low-70s curveball with three-quarters break is still developing, but he has gained more confidence in it to take pressure off his changeup. It has average potential but could improve as his comfort level grows. Kowar is a fierce competitor on the mound who never backs down from a challenge. He is an effective strike-thrower and can expand the zone when needed.

THE FUTURE: Kowar will spend 2020 at the upper levels of the minors, with Triple-A Omaha on the horizon. Developing his breaking ball is his top priority.
TRACK RECORD: Kowar teamed with Brady Singer to lead Florida to a College World Series win in 2017. The Royals drafted Singer 18th overall a year later and selected Kowar shortly after with the 33rd overall pick. Both made the jump to Double-A in their first full seasons, with Kowar pulling ahead of Singer in the eyes of many evaluators.

SCOUTING REPORT: Kowar is defined by his changeup. It's a lethal, plus-plus offering that comes at hitters in the mid-80s before falling through a trap door, drawing foolish swings and leaving opponents confounded. He pairs his changeup with a 93-96 mph fastball that has two-seam life in on righthanded batters, and that fastball-changeup combination is often all he needs to dominate. Kowar's low-70s curveball with three-quarters break is still developing, but he has gained more confidence in it to take pressure off his changeup. It has average potential but could improve as his comfort level grows. Kowar is a fierce competitor on the mound who never backs down from a challenge. He is an effective strike-thrower and can expand the zone when needed.

THE FUTURE: Kowar will spend 2020 at the upper levels of the minors, with Triple-A Omaha on the horizon. Developing his breaking ball is his top priority.
Another Royals 2018 first-round pick out of Florida, Kowar followed in Brady Singer's footsteps by jumping to Double-A just before the all-star break. His 3.51 ERA ranked seventh in the Texas League from the time he joined. Managers voted Kowar’s changeup the best in both the Carolina and Texas leagues this season. The pitch received some 70-grades from evaluators and allowed his low- to mid-90s fastball to play up. Kowar’s development of his average, upper-70s curveball will be key to his future development. He throws all three pitches with average to above-average control. "[Kowar] and Singer are both really good,” one Texas League manager said. "I’m not sure if one is better, but I’d take both on my team. Their stuff is obviously good, but more than anything you can tell they know how to pitch. They have a plan out there.”
The Royals took five college pitchers in the first 58 picks of the 2018 draft, and all fared well this year at Wilmington. There’s no consensus on which is the best long-term prospect, but Kowar might have the best overall arsenal. CL managers rated Kowar’s fastball and changeup as the best in the league. "Kowar’s fastball was 97-98, and he had a really good breaking ball,” Down East manager Corey Ragsdale said. "He was on the attack all the time.” Kowar, the 33rd overall pick in 2018, also throws a plus changeup. He posted strikingly similar numbers at Double-A Northwest Arkansas to the ones he had with the Blue Rocks. In the more hitter-friendly Texas League, he had a 3.51 ERA across 13 starts covering 74.1 innings. His strikeout rate went up from eight batters per nine innings to 9.4. "Jackson’s a fierce competitor," Wilmington manager Scott Thorman said. "He brings a lot of energy to the table.”
Kansas City made it two Florida starters in a row in the first round when they followed the selection of Brady Singer at pick 18 by taking Gator rotation-mate Kowar at No. 33. He signed just before the deadline for a $2,147,500 bonus. With a tall, slender frame, Kowar should add velocity to his current low- to mid-90s fastball with clean arm action, complementing it with a plus slider. The first item for Kowar’s development will be to settle on which breaking ball to use, needing to improve the quality and consistency of either his slider or curveball.