Zak Kent

19+1⁄3 innings. ^[6] Kent did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Minor League Baseball season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He opened the 2021 season with the Hickory Crawdads of the High-A East, going 6–2 with a 2.83 ERA and 78 strikeouts over 60+1⁄3 innings. ^{[10] [11]} After being promoted to the Frisco RoughRiders of the Double-A Central in August, he posted a 0–4 record with a 5.34 ERA and 39 strikeouts over 28+2⁄3 innings. ^{[12] [13]} Kent split the 2022 season between Frisco and the Round Rock Express of the Triple-APacific Coast League, going a combined 3–4 with a 3.94 ERA and 110 strikeouts over 109+2⁄3 innings. ^{[14] [15]}

On November 15, 2022, the Rangers selected Kent to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. ^{[12] [ verification needed ]} Kent was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock to begin the 2023 season but was placed on the injured list after one game due to an oblique strain. ^[16] In just 10 games due to injury, Kent posted a 0–1 record with a 3.97 ERA, and 34 strikeouts over 34 innings. Following the 2023 season, Kent played for the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League. ^[17]

Cleveland Guardians

On March 28, 2024, Kent was traded to the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for international bonus pool space. He was subsequently optioned to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers. ^[18] Kent was designated for assignment by the Guardians on June 29. ^[19] After clearing waivers, Kent was released by the Guardians on July 5. He re-signed with the organization on a minor league contract on July 16. ^[20]

On April 21, 2025, Kent was promoted to the major leagues for the first time. ^[21]

References

1. "Zak Kent (2016, RHP) Commits to VMI". www.mysite.com. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
2. Hinton-Valdrighi, Lisa (April 10, 2019). "NHS grad Zak Kent pitches into the spotlight". Rappahannock Record. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
3. "Rangers make eight selections on day two of 2019 First-Year Player Draft". MLB.com . June 4, 2019. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
4. "Zak Kent - 2018-19 - Baseball". Virginia Military Institute . Retrieved 2021-10-04.
5. "VHSL 1A All-State Baseball teams". USA Today . June 21, 2016. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
6. "Zak Kent College & Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved 2021-10-04.
7. Hinton-Valdrighi, Lisa (June 12, 2019). "Zak Kent is drafted by Texas Rangers". Rappahannock Record. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
8. "VMI Baseball: Zak Kent taken in ninth round of 2019 MLB Draft by Texas". June 5, 2019.
9. Grant, Evan (2021-08-13). "Rangers' top 20 prospects: Post-trade deadline, midseason reshuffle after a busy July in Texas". The Dallas Morning News . Retrieved 2021-10-04.
10. Reports (August 6, 2021). "Kent dazzles as Crawdads blank Grasshoppers 7-0". The News Herald . Retrieved 2021-10-04.
11. Newberg, Jamey (August 16, 2021). "Texas Rangers 2021 midseason prospect rankings: Nos. 72 through 43". The Athletic . Retrieved 2021-10-04.
12. Weaver, Levi (September 30, 2021). "How Rangers prospect Zak Kent went from unheralded draft pick to grabbing attention in 2021" . The Athletic . Retrieved 2021-10-04.
13. Grant, Evan (August 8, 2021). "'Best stuff I've seen this year': Hickory trio flashes potential of Rangers' minor-league pitchers". The Dallas Morning News . Retrieved 2021-10-04.
14. Hinton-Valdrighi, Lisa (September 7, 2022). "Zak Kent moves up the ladder to Round Rock Express | Rappahannock Record". Rappahannock Record. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
15. Postins, Matthew (October 12, 2022). "Rangers Top 30 Prospect Wraps: Zak Kent". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved 2022-11-20.
16. "Rangers' Zak Kent: Out with oblique strain". CBSSports.com . 20 April 2023. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
17. "Rangers Select Prospects for Arizona Fall League". 23 September 2023.
18. "Guardians Acquire Peter Strzelecki From D-backs, Zak Kent From Rangers". MLB Trade Rumors. 2024-03-28. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
19. "Guardians Activate Eli Morgan, Designate Zak Kent". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
20. https://www.milb.com/transactions/2024-07-16
21. "Guardians Designate Triston McKenzie For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved April 21, 2025.

External links

• Career statistics from MLB, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
• VMI Keydets bio

Zak Kent
Cleveland Guardians – No. 61
Pitcher
Born: (1998-02-24) February 24, 1998 (age 27) Henrico, Virginia, U.S.
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 23, 2025, for the Cleveland Guardians

v t e Cleveland Guardians current roster
Active roster	1 Ángel Martínez 4 Brayan Rocchio 7 Will Wilson 9 Kyle Manzardo 10 Daniel Schneemann 11 José Ramírez 13 Gabriel Arias 16 Jakob Junis 22 Nolan Jones 23 Bo Naylor 26 Logan Allen 27 Austin Hedges 28 Tanner Bibee 29 Tim Herrin 32 Gavin Williams 33 Hunter Gaddis 34 Paul Sewald 36 Cade Smith 38 Steven Kwan 39 Ben Lively 41 Carlos Santana 43 Jhonkensy Noel 45 Luis Ortiz 48 Emmanuel Clase 54 Joey Cantillo 61 Zak Kent
Inactive roster	17 Will Brennan 30 Johnathan Rodríguez 63 Andrew Walters 65 Doug Nikhazy 66 Daniel Espino 74 Juan Brito 89 Petey Halpin 92 Franco Alemán 94 Nic Enright -- Cody Bolton
Injured list	6 David Fry (60-day) 8 Lane Thomas (10-day) 31 Sam Hentges (60-day) 37 Trevor Stephan (60-day) 44 Slade Cecconi (15-day) 47 John Means (60-day) 57 Shane Bieber (15-day) 62 Erik Sabrowski (15-day)
Coaching staff	Manager 12 Stephen Vogt Associate manager 55 Craig Albernaz First base/Catching 15 Sandy Alomar Jr. Field coordinator/Defense/Base running 50 Kai Correa Assistant hitting 85 Jason Esposito Hitting 56 Grant Fink Assistant pitching 81 Brad Goldberg Pitching 51 Carl Willis Assistant pitching 86 Joe Torres Third base/Infield 53 Rouglas Odor Assistant hitting 83 Dan Puente Bullpen 88 Caleb Longshore Coach/Interpreter 89 Agustin Rivero Hitting analyst -- Josh Tubbs Bullpen catcher 82 Ricky Pacione Bullpen catcher 72 Eric Rodríguez Outfield/Base running 84 J. T. Maguire