Former RoughRider Kent makes MLB debut

FRISCO, Texas (April 24, 2025) – Former RoughRiders RHP Zak Kent made his MLB debut with the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday, April 23rd in their game against the New York Yankees. Kent is the third player whose name will be featured on the Road to the Show Wall presented by Avondale Dealerships in 2025.

Kent pitched three innings, allowing one run while striking out three in Cleveland’s 5-1 loss versus New York.

Kent was a ninth round pick by the Rangers in 2019 out of Virginia Military Institute. He made 25 starts for the RoughRiders between 2021 and 2022, earning a 4.85 ERA and 126 strikeouts in 111.1 innings.

Kent was traded to Cleveland in exchange for cash considerations on March 28, 2024. He made 19 appearances, including three starts, in 2024 and 2025 with Triple-A Columbus before receiving the call-up on Monday, April 21st.

The Henrico, Virginia native pitched at Virginia Military Institute from 2017-19, where he set a school record and ranked ninth in the country with 132 strikeouts in his final season as a Keydet.

Kent is the third former RoughRiders player to debut this season, joining Liam Hicks and Chase Lee, who debuted with Detroit one day before him. He is the 25th player from Frisco’s 2021 team to debut in the big leagues.

Kent is the 217th player featured on the Road to the Show Wall presented by Avondale Dealerships.

The RoughRiders return home for six games against the Wichita Wind Surge (Twins affiliate) starting Tuesday, April 29th at 12:05 p.m.

For tickets and more information about the Frisco RoughRiders, visit RidersBaseball.com or call 972.731.9200.

About Avondale Dealerships

Avondale Dealerships is an innovative business led by a team with decades of success and experience in the automotive industry. Avondale is supported by members who have an incredible spirit for delivering an elevated client experience. This SPIRIT of Avondale runs deep and is channeled in multiple ways to care for the local community. Avondale Dealerships operates Porsche Grapevine, Mercedes-Benz of Grapevine, Sprinter Grapevine, Aston Martin Dallas, Bentley Dallas, Koenigsegg Dallas, McLaren Dallas, Maserati Dallas and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Dallas. In addition, the company manages Avondale Collision & Repair and Avondale Luxury Rentals.

For more information, visit www.avondale.com. Stay connected with Avondale on YouTube at www.youtube.com/@Avondaledealerships and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/avondaledealerships for the latest updates and stories from our team.

About the RoughRiders

The Frisco RoughRiders are the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers and the 2022 Texas League champions. In 2023, the team celebrated its 20th anniversary and has consistently finished in the top five among all Double-A franchises in attendance yearly. In August 2014, the RoughRiders were purchased by an ownership group led by Chuck Greenberg. Since then, the new ownership group, together with the City of Frisco, has spearheaded numerous major franchise enhancements, investing over $8 million in a wide array of facility upgrades and improvements, including a state-of-the-art HD video board, sound system, Bull Moose Saloon, Bullpen Bar, Riders Outpost Team Store and the world's largest water feature in a sports facility, the massive Lazy River. These enhancements earned the Riders and the City of Frisco Ballpark Digest's prestigious "Best Ballpark Renovation" award for two consecutive years (2015 and 2016). More than 210 former RoughRiders players have gone on to play Major League Baseball including current Rangers Josh Jung, Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford. For more information on the Frisco RoughRiders, please visit RidersBaseball.com or contact [email protected].