When Jackson Kent makes his Major League Baseball debut sometime this week he’ll join an exclusive club of former Arizona players to make the big leagues. But he’ll also be in a class by himself.
The Washington Nationals are promoting the former UA left-handed pitcher and are expected to insert him into their starting rotation. He will become the 96th ex-Wildcat to make the majors, per the school’s baseball media guide, but first to do so after being recruited to the UA by Chip Hale.
The 23-year-old Kent spent three seasons at Arizona, from 2022-24, but was not eligible his first year after originally signing with UW-Milwaukee. That school would not let him out of his national letter of intent, thus forcing him to sit out that season.
Kent appeared in 33 games for the Wildcats with 19 starts, spending the bulk of the 2024 season as their Friday night starter. He finished with a 3-4 record and 4.61 ERA, striking out 122 batters in 127 innings.
The Nats drafted him in the 4th round in 2024, signing him for $625,000. He’s made 44 starts in the minor leagues, going 16-14 with a 4.22 ERA, and since getting moved to Triple-A Rochester in May had gone 8-3 with a 4.38 ERA in 13 starts.
Kent will become the second UA player to make their MLB debut this season, joining catcher Daniel Susac with the San Francisco Giants.
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