CLEVELAND -- Will Wilson and Zak Kent¡¯s paths to the big leagues were not linear. But six years after they each were selected in the 2019 MLB Draft, the two shared a moment that they will never forget.
Wilson and Kent each made their MLB debut on Wednesday afternoon in the Guardians¡¯ 5-1 loss to the Yankees at Progressive Field. Wilson drew the start at third base, and the 26-year-old recorded his first career hit with a ninth-inning single.
Kent, 27, took the mound in the seventh inning for his first Major League appearance. He struck out four while allowing one run on three hits and two walks over three innings. That included striking out two-time American League MVP Aaron Judge with the bases loaded to end the seventh.
¡°We got to know each other pretty well in Spring Training,¡± Wilson said. ¡°We¡¯ve shared our stories together and are very similar people. It¡¯s awesome.¡±
¡°We grinded to get here,¡± Kent said.
Wilson was the Angels¡¯ first-round pick in 2019 before being traded to the Giants six months later. Cleveland selected him from San Francisco this offseason during the Minor League portion of the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 10, which he called ¡°a shock.¡±
Wilson was working out when his father, Brad, informed him of the news after he saw it on social media during a break at work.
¡°I called him, and I just said, ¡®Hey, do you realize you just got taken in the Rule 5?¡¯¡± Brad Wilson said. ¡°He didn't know. We just kind of laughed about it. But I think it's been a great thing. This organization, obviously, they've welcomed him with open arms.¡±
Wilson made a strong impression this spring, when he hit .306 (11-for-36) in 20 games. The Guardians told him to stay ready, and he seemed to take it to heart: Wilson slashed .324/.418/.647 in 18 games with Triple-A Columbus. He was selected from Columbus on Tuesday after Lane Thomas landed on the 10-day IL with a bone bruise in his right wrist.
Wilson knocked a single off Luke Weaver through the shortstop hole during the ninth inning on Wednesday, with his mom, Robin, and Brad in attendance.
¡°Just praise God, man,¡± Wilson said. ¡°It¡¯s been a journey.¡±
Brad said he was scheduled to travel to Allentown, Pa., to watch Will suit up for Columbus. He was more than happy to rearrange his plans to see his son in the big leagues.
¡°It¡¯s a humbling experience, but it's a good one,¡± Brad said of Will reaching the Majors. ¡°This is what he's worked for. This is what he's wanted to do. It hasn¡¯t been an easy road, but he¡¯s never quit. He's never given up.¡±
Kent was the Rangers¡¯ ninth-round pick in the 2019 Draft out of Virginia Military Institute. He made just 10 starts in Triple-A in ¡®23 due to an oblique injury, and Cleveland acquired him from Texas on March 28 last year. He then suffered a right elbow strain and was designated for assignment on June 29.
Kent returned to the Guardians on a Minor League deal on July 16, and he recorded a 7.23 ERA over 14 appearances (including three starts) at Triple-A. He started strong with Columbus this year (2.35 ERA over five appearances) and was selected on Monday.
It could be easy for any pitcher to get rattled in his MLB debut, let alone when it comes against the Yankees. Kent got some sage advice from veteran teammate Paul Sewald.
¡°Paul told me the mound is still 60 feet, six inches [from home plate],¡± Kent said. ¡°It¡¯s only got to go over the strike zone. Nothing really changed.¡±
Kent issued a leadoff walk to Jazz Chisholm, who stole second base and came around to score on Austin Wells¡¯ double. With the bases loaded and two outs, he buckled down and struck out Judge on an 85.2 mph slider. Wilson got the ball from that moment and gave it to Kent, who gave it to his dad, Allen.
Kent going three innings in his debut was especially huge for the Guardians, who have had a short-handed bullpen this week and saw starter Luis L. Ortiz toss just 4 1/3 innings on 104 pitches (64 strikes) Wednesday.
¡°That¡¯s the MVP of the day,¡± Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said of Kent. ¡°... To post up and give us three innings today when we desperately needed him to [was huge].¡±
Kent¡¯s wife, Naomi, who is pregnant and due in July, was at Wednesday¡¯s game. Kent greeted her after his debut with a ¡°big old hug.¡±
¡°The baby was kicking around,¡± Kent said. ¡°She said he was very excited for me, so it was a great moment.¡±