Kent Emanuel
Kent Jeffrey Emanuel
- Bats Left, Throws' Left
- Height 6' 4", Weight 225 lb.
- School University of North Carolina
- High School Woodstock (GA) High School
- Debut April 24, 2021
- Born June 4, 1992 in Woodstock, GA USA
Biographical Information[edit]
Pitcher Kent Emanuel was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2013 amateur draft by the Houston Astros after a great three years at the University of North Carolina. He had earlier been drafted in the 19th round in 2010, by the Pittsburgh Pirates, coming out of high school, but chose to go to college.
He went a combined 28-8 with a 2.34 ERA at UNC, while being a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award and the Dick Howser Trophy as a junior in 2013. In the 2011 College World Series, he became the first freshman pitcher to pitch a shutout in the tournament since Brett Laxton in 1993 when he blanked the University of Texas, 3-0. He also played in the 2013 College World Series.
In spite of his excellent college pedigree, it took him quite some time to reach the majors, as he played 8 seasons, and then was forced into inactivity by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, before making his major league debut on April 24, 2021. Things were going well for him until he was hit by an injury in 2015, limiting him to just 4 games for the AA Corpus Christi Hooks. That was followed by three rough seasons in which his ERA was over 5.00 each year, before he finally showed his old mettle in 2019, when he went 8-2, 3.90 for the AAA Round Rock Express. But he then had to serve an 80-game suspension for testing positive for PEDs, further delaying his debut, which took place immediately after the penalty ended. His debut was a memorable one as he took over for Jake Odorizzi with one out in the 1st, after the starter had to leave after five pitches with tightness in his forearm. Emanuel was already scheduled to pitch that day - only later. It turned out to be a great outing as he pitched the rest of the way - 8 2/3 innings - giving up just 2 runs on 5 hits to receive credit for a 16-2 win. He was the first pitcher since John Montefusco in 1974 to pitch over 8 innings and get the win in his debut. It was also the longest sting by a relief pitcher since Neil Allen in 1988.
Further Reading[edit]
- Brian McTaggart: "Emanuel excels in 'wild' debut: 'I was ready'", mlb.com, April 24, 2021. [1]
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