The Kent Era Begins: Nats Call Up Strikeout Machine for MLB Debut vs. Cubs

The future is officially now in D.C. The Nationals are handing the ball to 23-year-old left-hander Jackson Kent for his big-league debut Wednesday night against the Chicago Cubs — and the kid has earned every bit of the hype.

Kent was a monster in the minors this season, going 9-4 with a 3.72 ERA across 20 starts between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester. The strikeouts were flowing: 105 punchouts in 94.1 innings. That’s not just solid; that’s a problem for opposing hitters.

‘There Will Be Nerves’

Nationals manager Blake Butera knows the moment won’t be too big for the rookie, but he wants him to soak it in.

“There will be nerves,” Butera said. “There will be excitement, of course. There’s no way to hide that. I want him to go out there and make the most of it. You only get one debut and you’re lucky to have it because a lot of people want it.”

Butera added that he hopes Kent soaks up the home crowd and calms some of those nerves. He sees a pitcher who has started to develop an identity — someone who consistently attacks the zone, piles up strikeouts and gives hitters a nightmare look. That identity is exactly why Kent is one of Washington’s top prospects and why he could get an extended run in the final seven weeks of the season.

“That’s not to say he’s going to come up here today and just have it figured out from the jump, but to be able to do what he did in the minor leagues at such a high level, Double-A, Triple-A, it’s not easy. I think he’s earned the opportunity to be up here and make his debut,” Butera said.

Veterans Get the Boot

To make room for Kent, the Nationals designated veteran right-hander Miles Mikolas for assignment. Mikolas, 37, was 3-9 with a 5.82 ERA and was the oldest player to appear for Washington this season. He signed a one-year, $2.25 million deal in February and reached 10 years of major league service time last week. But in a season going nowhere, the old guard is out.

This is the second time in August the Nats have cut ties with a veteran starter. Washington designated Zack Littell for assignment on Aug. 5 and released him two days later. Littell signed Monday with Arizona.

Time to Shine

Kent might not have everything figured out from his first big-league pitch, but the Nats are betting he brings some electricity to a rotation that badly needs it. Buckle up, D.C. — the future starts now.