Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | KC | RHP | 6 | 50 |
Grades Update: May 2021
| OFP | Role | FB | CB | CH | Ctr/Cmd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 60 | 50 | 60 | 50/45 |
May 2021 Report
Evaluator: Danny Brackman
Age: 24 yr
Height: 6-5
Weight: 200 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2018 Round 1C
RuleV: 2021
Physical Description: Lanky athletic build. Long limbs with a high, skinny waist. Above average athleticism and mobility. Has put on some muscle in the lower half.
Delivery & Mechanics: Starts slightly off-set towards 1B edge of rubber. Windup begins under control at an easy tempo. Keeps good posture while initiating a chest-high leg kick that starts internal rotation. Generally uses levers well downhill though some pulling to the 1B side creates slight timing issues. Medium-low effort delivery that helps minimize the mechanical problems while still generating above average arm speed from a high-3/4 angle. Not much extension and can get inefficient with the lower half. Starts pre-coiled from stretch.
Fastball: Sits 95-97 and tops 99. Uses 4-seam and 2-seam. Both play as their traditional variations though they can blend together and get hit frequently when left over the plate despite the velo. 4-seam shows good carry and 2-seam is generally a couple ticks slower with run. Likes to work off FB variations and tunnel secondaries from there. Plus offering more often than not with a slight chance of unlocking more with improved feel for shaping. Grade: 60
Curveball: 76-80 with 11-5 break and good depth. Shape can tighten up and look a bit slider-ish but movement is typically sharp with good vertical drop. Tunnels well with FB. Feel for spin notably improved since college days. Willingness to throw to both RHHs and LHHs shows increased confidence as well. Looks to be an average breaking ball. Grade: 50
Changeup: Mid-80s with heavy sink and arm-side run. Natural feel for pronating. Arm slot and makes it difficult to pick up out of the hand. Does leave it up over the plate looking for easy strikes/weak contact so I'm not sure how sustainable that is--CH has a double-plus movement profile but it's definitely easier to recognize when it's up. Plus whiff potential regardless. Will need to locate a bit better to reach true pitch ceiling. Grade: 60
Control and Command: Shows an average ability to stay around the zone with all three offerings. Can lose feel for mechanics at times but generally holds enough pitchability to remain competitive. Likes to work quickly by inducing contact but has shown an improved ability throwing secondaries early in the count. FB command average and secondary command will need to continue improving to get there as well. Control: 50 | Command: 45
Overall: Kowar has long proven he has ideal workhorse stamina and a bulldog mentality, yet concerns about how his stuff will sustain against advanced hitters are out there. He was hit around quite a bit in 2021 ST, though the CB did look improved. Regularly harnessing the CB with his already plus FB and CH and maybe cleaning up some minor mechanical issues will go a long way towards future success. He's a good athlete and tough competitor who has an opportunity to join the back of the Kansas City rotation in the near future.
OFP: 50
Role: 50 - #4 or #5 SP
Risk: Moderate
