STWF Sports | FRISCO, Texas | July 22, 2026 — Former Frisco RoughRiders left-hander Kohl Drake reached the major leagues Tuesday night, making his MLB debut for the Arizona Diamondbacks against the Athletics and delivering an encouraging performance in his first appearance at baseball’s highest level.
Drake worked five innings and allowed only one earned run while striking out five. The 26-year-old recorded his first major league strikeout against former Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim, adding a memorable milestone to an already impressive debut.
With his promotion, Drake became the ninth former RoughRiders player to make his MLB debut during the 2026 season. He will be recognized on Frisco’s Road to the Show wall, driven by Avondale Dealerships, which honors former RoughRiders who advance to the major leagues.
Drake’s path to Arizona began with the Rangers organization, which selected him in the 11th round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Walters State Community College. The Orem, Utah, native steadily developed into one of the organization’s most reliable left-handed pitching prospects.
He spent parts of two seasons with Frisco and produced consistent results at the Double-A level. Across 17 career starts for the RoughRiders, Drake posted a 2.62 ERA over 75.2 innings. His ability to limit damage, generate strikeouts and work deep into outings made him a dependable member of Frisco’s rotation.
Drake was particularly effective during the 2025 season, recording a 2.44 ERA. That figure ranked second in the Texas League among pitchers who made at least 12 starts, placing him among the league’s top-performing starters.
One of his most notable outings came in May 2025, when he helped lead Frisco to the sixth no-hitter in franchise history. Drake tossed six scoreless innings against the San Antonio Missions, setting the tone for the RoughRiders’ first no-hitter in 15 years.
That performance showcased the command and composure that eventually helped him reach the majors. Drake mixed pitches effectively, attacked hitters and consistently kept opposing offenses off balance during his time in the Rangers’ farm system.
His career took a new direction at the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline, when Texas included him in the deal that brought veteran right-hander Merrill Kelly to the Rangers. Drake joined the Diamondbacks organization and continued his development with Triple-A Reno.
Before receiving his first major league call-up, Drake made 16 starts for Reno during the 2026 season. His work in Triple-A positioned him for an opportunity in Arizona’s rotation, and he responded with a composed debut against the Athletics.
Pitching five innings in a first MLB appearance can be a difficult assignment, but Drake appeared comfortable on the mound. His five strikeouts and one earned run allowed provided Arizona with a competitive outing and offered an early glimpse of what the left-hander could contribute moving forward.
Drake is now one of 234 players in RoughRiders franchise history to reach the major leagues. His promotion continues an impressive year for Frisco alumni, with nine former RoughRiders debuting in 2026.
He joins Emiliano Teodo, Gavin Collyer, Peyton Gray, Robbie Ahlstrom, Mitch Bratt, Cam Cauley, Winston Santos and Abimelec Ortiz among the organization’s major league debutants this season.
For Frisco, Drake’s arrival in the majors represents another successful chapter in the franchise’s long-standing role in player development. For Drake, Tuesday’s outing marked the culmination of a steady climb through professional baseball — and potentially the beginning of an extended opportunity with the Diamondbacks.
