Baseball’s Revolving Door: Mariners Cut Ties with Jackson Kowar, Sparking Questions About Player Potential
In a move that’s sure to stir debate among fans, the Seattle Mariners have designated reliever Jackson Kowar for assignment, clearing a 40-man roster spot for newly acquired catcher Jhonny Pereda. But here’s where it gets controversial: Kowar, a former supplemental first-round pick of the Kansas City Royals, has had a tumultuous journey through the majors, leaving many to wonder if his potential was ever truly realized. Pereda, on the other hand, joins the Mariners after being designated for assignment by the Minnesota Twins, who recently signed free agent catcher Victor Caratini to a two-year deal. And this is the part most people miss: Kowar’s career has been a series of high-profile trades and injuries, raising questions about the pressures young players face in the league.
Kowar’s path to this moment is a tangled one. After allowing 79 runs in just 74 innings over three seasons with the Royals, he was traded to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for injured starter Kyle Wright during the 2022-23 offseason. His stint with the Braves was short-lived, as he was quickly flipped to the Mariners as part of a multi-player deal that sent outfielder Jarred Kelenic to Atlanta. This change-of-scenery shuffle involved several former high draft picks, but none have lived up to expectations with their new teams. Kowar’s time in Seattle was particularly challenging: he suffered a devastating injury during his first Spring Training, requiring Tommy John surgery that sidelined him until May 2025. After a brief return, a season-ending shoulder impingement in August further derailed his progress.
In total, Kowar made just 15 appearances in a Mariners uniform, posting a 4.76 ERA with 15 strikeouts and seven walks over 17 innings. His Triple-A numbers weren’t much better, as he allowed nine runs (five earned) in 16 innings. Across 91 MLB innings, his career ERA sits at 8.21, with a 20.3% strikeout rate and a concerning 13.1% walk percentage. These stats beg the question: Was Kowar a victim of bad luck, or did he simply fail to meet the lofty expectations set by his draft status?
The Mariners’ decision to designate Kowar for assignment opens the door for Pereda, who brings a fresh opportunity to the roster. But as Kowar’s story fades into the background, it leaves us with a thought-provoking debate: How much blame should fall on players when they struggle to meet their potential, and how much responsibility lies with the teams that draft and develop them? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one conversation that’s far from over.
