Zachary Allen Kent (born February 24, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Cleveland Guardians and Minnesota Twins. The right-handed pitcher was originally selected by the Texas Rangers in the 2019 MLB Draft out of Virginia Military Institute (VMI). Kent made his MLB debut with the Cleveland Guardians in April 2025 and earned his first career win later that season against the Texas Rangers.
Early Life and Background
Zachary Allen Kent was born on February 24, 1998, in Heathsville, Virginia. He grew up in the small rural community in Northumberland County, where he developed his passion for baseball at a young age. Kent grew up rooting for the Baltimore Orioles.
Kent attended Northumberland High School in Heathsville, Virginia, where he excelled as a two-sport athlete, competing in both baseball and basketball. During his sophomore year in 2014, he was a member of the Northumberland High School team that captured the 1A State Championship. That season, he hit .315 at the plate while posting a 1.96 earned run average on the mound.
In his senior season of 2016, Kent earned Virginia High School League’s 1A All-State honors as a pitcher, establishing himself as one of the top high school prospects in the state. Despite his strong performance, he went undrafted out of high school and chose to continue his baseball career at the collegiate level.
Amateur Career
After going undrafted out of high school, Kent decided to attend Virginia Military Institute (VMI) to play college baseball for the VMI Keydets. He spent three seasons developing his craft at the NCAA Division I level, refining his pitching mechanics and building experience against collegiate hitters.
Kent enjoyed his best collegiate season as a junior in 2019. He posted a 5-5 record with a 4.64 earned run average and 132 strikeouts over 97 innings pitched. His dominant performance that season showcased his potential as a professional pitcher and caught the attention of Major League Baseball scouts.
Following his standout junior season at VMI, Kent entered the 2019 MLB Draft as a prospect with significant upside. His combination of size, stuff, and collegiate experience made him an intriguing mid-round selection for teams looking to develop pitching talent.
Professional Career
Texas Rangers (2019–2024)
The Texas Rangers selected Kent in the ninth round of the 2019 MLB Draft, using the 265th overall selection on the VMI right-hander. He signed with Texas for a $140,000 signing bonus and began his professional career that same summer.
Kent spent his debut professional season of 2019 splitting time between the AZL Rangers of the Rookie-level Arizona League and the Spokane Indians of the Low-A Northwest League. In combined action across both affiliates, he went 0-1 with a 5.12 earned run average and 18 strikeouts over 19 and one-third innings pitched. The 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing Kent from advancing his development that summer.
Kent opened the 2021 season with the Hickory Crawdads of the High-A East League. He posted impressive numbers, compiling a 6-2 record with a 2.83 earned run average and 78 strikeouts over 60 and one-third innings pitched. His strong performance earned him a promotion to the Double-A Central League’s Frisco RoughRiders in August, where he struggled in limited action, going 0-4 with a 5.34 earned run average and 39 strikeouts across 28 and two-thirds innings.
Kent split the 2022 season between Frisco and the Triple-A Pacific Coast League’s Round Rock Express. Combined across both levels, he went 3-4 with a 3.94 earned run average and 110 strikeouts over 109 and two-thirds innings. On November 15, 2022, the Rangers selected Kent to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.
Kent was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock to begin the 2023 season but was placed on the injured list after just one game due to an oblique strain. In only 10 appearances during the injury-shortened season, he posted a 0-1 record with a 3.97 earned run average and 34 strikeouts over 34 innings. Following the 2023 season, Kent played for the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League, where he continued his rehabilitation work.
Cleveland Guardians (2025)
On March 28, 2024, Kent was traded to the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for international bonus pool space. He was subsequently optioned to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers to begin the season. Kent was designated for assignment by the Guardians on June 29. After clearing waivers, Cleveland released him on July 5. He re-signed with the organization on a minor league contract on July 16.
On April 21, 2025, Kent was selected to the Guardians’ 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time in his career. On September 28, Kent recorded his first career win, allowing two earned runs over two innings pitched against the Texas Rangers, his former organization. He made 12 appearances for the Guardians during his first MLB season, compiling a 1-0 record with a 4.58 earned run average and 16 strikeouts across 17 and two-thirds innings pitched.
Minnesota Twins and St. Louis Cardinals (2025–2026)
On December 5, 2025, Kent was claimed off waivers by the St. Louis Cardinals. He was designated for assignment on January 6, 2026, following the acquisition of Justin Bruihl. On January 9, Kent was claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers, who subsequently designated him for assignment on February 13. On February 16, he was again claimed off waivers by the Cardinals. However, on February 21, Kent was designated for assignment by St. Louis following the signing of Ramon Urias. On February 26, he was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Twins.
In two appearances for Minnesota, Kent recorded a 4.91 earned run average with two strikeouts across 3 and two-thirds innings pitched. On April 28, Kent was designated for assignment by Minnesota following the promotion of Luis Garcia.
Washington Nationals (2026–Present)
On May 3, 2026, Kent was claimed off of waivers by the Washington Nationals. He joined the Nationals’ major league roster and has continued his professional baseball career with the club.
Career Highlights
Kent has established himself as a versatile relief pitcher capable of pitching multiple innings throughout his minor league career. His professional career has been characterized by consistent strikeout numbers and the ability to pitch effectively at various levels of the minor leagues before earning his first major league promotion.
His most notable career milestone came on September 28, 2025, when he earned his first career MLB win against the Texas Rangers. The victory against his former organization marked the culmination of his journey from undrafted high school player to major league contributor. Throughout his minor league career, Kent has demonstrated the ability to miss bats, with his best professional season coming in 2021 when he posted a 2.83 earned run average at the High-A level.
Personal Life
Kent is married. He grew up in Heathsville, Virginia, where he attended Northumberland High School and developed his baseball skills before pursuing his professional dreams. Despite reaching the major leagues with multiple organizations, Kent has maintained connections to his Virginia roots throughout his career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Kent’s rookie year in Major League Baseball after seven seasons in the minor leagues. He received his first major league call-up in April when the Guardians selected him to their 40-man roster and promoted him to the active roster. The promotion represented the culmination of his professional career since being drafted in 2019.
Kent appeared in 12 games for Cleveland during the 2025 season, pitching primarily in relief. His standout moment came in late September when he earned his first career win against the Texas Rangers. In his debut MLB season, he compiled a 1-0 record with a 4.58 earned run average and 16 strikeouts across 17 and two-thirds innings pitched. His ability to pitch multiple innings made him a valuable depth piece in the Guardians’ bullpen.
Following the conclusion of the 2025 season, Kent was claimed off waivers by the St. Louis Cardinals, beginning a series of transactions that would see him move through multiple organizations before landing with the Nationals. His 2025 campaign provided him with valuable major league experience that he has carried forward in his professional career.