The Cardinals biggest move this offseason involved trading former number one catching prospect, Carson Kelly, to Arizona. Kelly was, at one time, going to be the heir to Yadier Molina. Things changed though. He was ready for everyday playing time while Yadi was still not ready to be done. Kelly also wasn’t producing at the big league level. This made the decision to trade him fairly easy. What really makes the Cardinals comfortable parting ways with him though, is Andrew Knizner.
For a short time, Knizner was one of the Cards’ best-kept secrets. More people outside the organization began to pay attention to him after last fall though. During 2017 Arizona Fall league play he slashed .358/.408/.537 and hit three homers and three doubles in 17 games.
Scott Rovak/USA TODAY Sports
He continued his emergence this past Spring Training. In Jupiter last year he hit two homers, two doubles and put up an OBP of .368 while slugging .500. That set the wheels in motion for the best season of his young career.
Being a seventh-round pick, Knizner wasn’t expected to excel this quickly. In just his second professional season he combined for a .313/.368/.430 slash line between Double-A and Triple-A. He began the year in Springfield before being promoted to Memphis for the final 17 games of the season.
His defense has been better than expected as well, especially his arm. While he did make five errors last year, his career fielding percentage at catcher remained at .995. His career caught stealing percentage is even more impressive though, at 45 percent. He also caught two of three base stealers during his Fall League games in ’17. Last season his percentage was lower than his career average, but it was still an impressive 36.
Despite his quick impressive rise through the Cards system, Knizner still hadn’t received much national attention. That is, until a few days ago.
MLB Pipeline revealed their annual ‘Top 10 Catching Prospects’ list this past Wednesday. Knizner made his debut on that list at number 10. The Pipeline also gives an estimated time of arrival for all the players in their top 10s. They put Andrew’s ETA as this year.
It’s hard to see the Cardinals calling him up early this year. They just re-signed Francisco Pena to a minor league deal to serve as Yadi’s backup for the season and they won’t want Knizner sitting on the bench too often at this point in his career. If he has a monster Spring Training he might draw the backup role over Pena, but again, the Cards will want to get him at-bats.
Because of that, he’ll probably begin and spend most of the year as Memphis’ starting backstop. However, when September rolls around, it’s safe to expect Knizner to be in St. Louis. Barring a terrible season at Triple-A, expanded rosters will provide the Cardinals a good opportunity to get the young prospect his first taste of the big leagues.
Featured Image by Buck Davidson of MiLB.com
You can like The Game Haus on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from great TGH writers!
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
