Jack Kochanowicz Starring In Double-A Debut

Hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jack Kochanwicz has always held the dream of stepping onto a Major League mound. Before graduating from Harriton High School in 2019, he was committed to play baseball at the University of Virginia. Instead of heading to Charlottesville, Kochanowicz was able to fulfill another lifelong dream. That dream came calling when he was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 3^rd round with the 92^nd overall pick.

After spending two years with Low-A Inland Empire and a brief stint with the High-A Tri-City Dust Devils, Kochanowicz has finally nestled his way into the Rocket City. And his stay so far has been nothing short of impressive.

Being a part of a talented pitching staff on the Trash Pandas with the likes of now-big leagueres Sam Bachman, Ben Joyce, Kolton Ingram, and more., Kochanowicz had to find a way to make his appearance in the Rocket City notable. And that would be the case on May 20^th at home against the Birmingham Barons.

Kochanowicz would go on to throw just the third nine inning complete game in Trash Pandas history in front of more than 5,000 fans at Toyota Field. He would retire 13-straight hitters from the first to the fifth inning. The only run posted from the Barons came from a solo home run in the ninth. From start to finish, Kochanowicz controlled the game to lead his team to a 5-1 victory.

The 22-year-old recently sat down to talk about his career so far and what it was like to have such a dominant performance on the mound in his Toyota Field debut.

Q: What was it like to be drafted in the 3^rd round by the Angels?

A: It was a dream come true. It was unbelievable to think that the Los Angeles Angels are calling me. I have been in it for a few years now but it all feels real now for sure.

Q: What was the adjustment was like moving from Low-A to Double-A in a two year span?

A: It is much more enjoyable especially here in Huntsville. It is insane to me that this is minor league baseball. The amount of fans that come out all the time and how the stadium gets is unbelievable. It is literally the best place I’ve played at anywhere.

Q: Was that complete game the biggest crowd you have ever played in?

A: I played in front of a pretty big crowd on the 4^th of July last year with Inland Empire but it was still not as large as a crowd as that one.

COMPLETE GAME JACK KOCHANOWICZ IN HIS FIRST START AT TOYOTA FIELD! pic.twitter.com/i2EQl3Uqzl

— Rocket City Trash Pandas (@trashpandas) May 21, 2023

Q: What was it like having that whole crowd in the palm of your hands that night?

A: For me during the game it is just the game. I’m not thinking about what’s going on outside of the game. But after the game I looked around and thought to myself ‘Wow, this is the real deal.’

Q: Walk us through that game. You threw the third ever 9-inning complete game in Trash Pandas history. What was that like?

A: I was rolling, honestly. They were having some early swings in counts which helped. I believe it was after the 7^th inning when I got no handshake from the coach and I was like ‘Alright, I’m probably doing this’. Unfortunately, I gave up a homer in the 9^th and spoiled the shut out but still got through it.

Q: Have you enjoyed your time in the Rocket City so far?

A: Absolutely. Everywhere you look there is something new being built. There’s great food everywhere and it’s just all so unbelievable.

Q: Over your career so far, who has been the toughest player that you have faced?

A: I would have to give to Robert Hassell. He terrorized our team for a while in Low A especially when he was with Lake Elsinore before he was traded. He was a tough out for a while and he was tough on the base paths too.

Q: Is there any one pitcher that you credit any of your stuff to?

A: Personally for me there is no one that I imitate. I grew up watching Phillies pitchers back in the day when they had five aces in 2008-09 so I had a lot of good pitching to watch. But I feel that I am unique to me.

Q: Has minor league baseball been what you thought it would be?

A: The last 2 years have been a lot better. They take care of our housing and things like that where it allows you to actually focus on the game of baseball. You don’t have to worry about where am you’re going to be sleeping next or if you’re going have to book an Airbnb somewhere. It is certainly enjoyable for sure.

Q: So when you get here to Double-A, does it make everything a little more enjoyable?

A: Oh my gosh, yes, it’s hard to imagine that this is Minor League Baseball, especially here.

Q: So, what was your family’s reaction when you told them that you were going to play for the Trash Pandas?

A: They had heard of them because they are very locked into my career. They had actually just arrived to Pasco, Washington on a Thursday. I was supposed to pitch later in that week, and they were supposed to see me throw. They were there for a day, and I told them: ‘I am out of here’. So, they were obviously very excited I was getting called up. They are actually headed out here in a couple of weeks and I keep telling them about how they really need to see this place.

Q: At any given chance now, you could get the call that you are headed to the big leagues. What is the motivation? What is that feeling like?

A: It’s just a lifelong dream stepping on that major league mound and starting a game. It’s just day-to-day right now. Everyone knows where we are at and everyone knows there’s guys getting called up all the time. To me it’s just sticking to it and not letting it distract you from what you’re doing every day.