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
