Twins Take a Flier on Former First-Rounder Jackson Kowar - But the Bullpen Work Isn’t Done Yet
The Minnesota Twins are rolling the dice on a once-promising arm. On Sunday, the team claimed right-handed reliever Jackson Kowar off waivers from the Seattle Mariners, a move that adds another layer of intrigue-and uncertainty-to a bullpen that still needs shoring up.
Kowar, 29, was designated for assignment by Seattle after the Mariners acquired catcher Jhonny Pereda from the Twins in a cash deal. Now, he’s headed to Minnesota in what amounts to a low-risk, potentially high-upside pickup for a team that could use some depth-and maybe a little magic-in its relief corps.
Once a Top Prospect, Still Searching for Stability
If the name sounds familiar, that’s because Kowar was once one of the most talked-about pitching prospects in baseball. Drafted 33rd overall by the Kansas City Royals out of the University of Florida back in 2018, Kowar cracked Baseball America’s Top 100 prospects list twice-No. 78 before the 2020 season and No. 95 before 2021.
The tools were tantalizing: a mid-to-upper 90s fastball, a hard slider, a changeup that flashed plus, and a sinker that could touch the high 90s. On paper, he had the arsenal to become a frontline starter or a high-leverage bullpen arm.
But the transition to the majors hasn’t been smooth.
Over parts of three seasons with the Royals (2021-23), Kowar struggled mightily, posting a 9.12 ERA and 5.99 FIP across 74 innings. The strikeout numbers-75 punchouts-were decent, but the 51 walks and general inconsistency painted a picture of a pitcher still trying to find his footing.
Kansas City eventually moved on, shipping Kowar to Atlanta in November 2023 in exchange for right-hander Kyle Wright. The Braves then flipped him to Seattle in a multi-player deal that included outfielder Jarred Kelenic and first baseman Evan White heading to Atlanta. That’s a lot of movement in a short amount of time, and it speaks to both the belief in Kowar’s potential and the frustration with his lack of results.
A Comeback Attempt in 2025
Kowar missed the entire 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, a setback that temporarily halted his development but also gave him a chance to reset. He returned to action in 2025 and made 15 appearances for the Mariners, putting up a 4.24 ERA in 17 innings.
The strikeout-to-walk ratio (15 Ks to 7 BBs) was still shaky, and the four home runs he allowed in that short span were a concern. But it was a step forward, especially after such a significant surgery.
In Triple-A Tacoma, he looked sharper-posting a 2.57 ERA over 14 innings. That’s a small sample size, but it suggests there might still be something to tap into. Across his minor league career, Kowar owns a 4.30 ERA over 400 innings, a number that doesn’t scream dominance but does reflect experience and innings logged in a variety of roles.
What This Means for the Twins
For Minnesota, this is the kind of move that makes sense in February. Kowar is out of minor league options, which means the Twins can’t stash him in Triple-A without first exposing him to waivers again. That could indicate they’re planning to give him a serious look during spring training, possibly eyeing him for a spot on the Opening Day roster.
If he shows enough in camp-velocity, command, composure-he could carve out a role in the middle innings or as a depth piece. If not, the Twins will face a tough decision: keep him on the roster or risk losing him to another team.
Either way, this isn’t the bullpen fix fans might’ve been hoping for. Kowar is a project-an intriguing one, no doubt-but he’s not a proven late-inning weapon.
And if Minnesota wants to contend in 2026, they’ll need more than just upside arms. They’ll need someone who can lock down tight games, bridge the gap to Jhoan Duran, and give manager Rocco Baldelli some breathing room in the late innings.
The Bottom Line
Jackson Kowar is the kind of bet that can pay off if the pieces finally click. The raw stuff has always been there-now it’s about command, consistency, and carving out a role that fits.
The Twins are giving him that opportunity. But if they’re serious about making noise in the AL Central this season, this move should be the start of their bullpen upgrades-not the finish line.