Scouting Report - RHP Zak Kent

Scouting Report on Zak Kent (RHP) 

Profile

Zak Kent (RHP)
Right-handed pitcher, age 26 (born 2018 draft class, Round 9 by TEX)
Size: 6'3”, ~210 lbs

Background: Developed with the Rangers; reached MLB debut in 2023 (short stint). Spent most time in Double-A/Triple-A.
 
Arsenal & Style

Fastball: 92–95 mph, can touch 96; plays better up in the zone when command is on.

Slider: Primary out pitch; mid‑80s with depth—his best bat-missing offering.

Changeup: Usable third pitch vs LHB; inconsistent but flashes average.

Occasional cutter reported in some looks to bridge FB/SL.

Delivery: Compact with some effort; when timing is synced, he throws strikes, but command can waver.
 
Performance snapshot (minors/brief MLB)

Misses bats more than he walks when healthy; K-rate historically in the low-to-mid 20% range in AA/AAA.

Ground-ball tendencies improve when he leans on the slider and keeps FB at the top rail.

Limited MLB track record; small-sample results shouldn’t drive expectations yet.
 
Injury/availability notes

Had some missed time in recent years (including an oblique strain and minor lower-body issues). No major arm surgery on record, but durability/consistency has been the question.
 
Fit for the Cardinals

Likely depth with upside: swingman or multi-inning relief looks most immediate; spot-start potential.

Pairs with STL’s pitching development focus on slider shape and FB approach at the letters.

If command ticks up, could be a useful middle reliever who can handle 2–3 inning stints; ceiling of back-end starter.
 
What to watch this spring

Velocity band (sits 93–95 vs. 91–93).
Slider consistency (strike vs. chase separation).
Changeup feel vs. lefties.
Strike-throwing (ahead-in-count rate, first-pitch strike%).

Photo Credit - Dallas Morning News