Arizona’s next big arm
The 2026 MLB Draft brought a familiar name to the Tampa Bay Rays’ roster when right‑hander Owen Kramkowski came off the board in the fifth round, marking the first time a Wildcat was selected in that year’s draft.
Kramkowski arrived at Arizona before the 2024 season and quickly became a cornerstone of the Wildcats’ pitching staff, earning All‑Big 12 Honorable Mention and leading the team in strikeouts for two consecutive years.
During the 2025 campaign he started 18 games, posted a 9‑6 record with a 5.48 ERA, fanned 90 batters while walking just 18, and helped the Wildcats capture the Big 12 Tournament title and advance to the College World Series.
In 2026 he returned as the team’s Friday night starter, logging 72 innings with a 6.13 ERA and again topping the staff in strikeouts, a performance that earned him Big 12 Pitcher of the Week honors after a dominant outing against Fresno State.
His consistent excellence not only highlighted his personal development but also underscored the depth of Arizona’s baseball program, which has produced several notable prospects in recent years.