Jon Knott

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked San Diego Padres #22 prospect in 2006
  Knott went undrafted out of Mississippi State because of a leg injury, but he has been one of the system's top run producers since the Padres signed him out of a tryout camp. While his average took a dip when he repeated Triple-A last year, he still led the organization in homers. Knott is a big-bodied slugger, with classic pull power and a good understanding of the strike zone. His swing can get long and he has problems with good lefties. Knott isn't overly gifted physically. He's an average runner once he gets going but a poor defensive player. He often takes bad jumps on flyballs and has a below-average arm. At 27, Knott is running out of time with the Padres. They passed him over for both Paul McAnulty and Ben Johnson when roster spots opened up at the major league level last season. Knott has the skills to be a solid bench player, but that chance may have to come elsewhere, and some see him as better suited for the American League. With no logical spot for him on the San Diego roster, he faces a third year in Triple-A.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #11 prospect in 2005
  The Padres have as many prospects who were signed out of indy ball or tryout camps as any organization, and Knott remains the poster boy for the team's success outside the draft, after he went undrafted out of Mississippi State due to a leg injury. Knott's pure power ranks with any other Padres farmhand in the upper levels of the system. An imposing presence at the plate, Knott takes a long swing, but makes enough contact to prevent it from becoming an issue. He has a good feel for the strike zone, though his plate discipline took a dip in 2004 against stronger pitching. He's an average runner but a below-average fielder, often getting bad jumps on balls and taking poor routes. Some feel Knott's game is better suited to the American League, where he can serve in a first base/DH role. Still blocked in San Diego, he's slated for a retrun to Triple-A , but could be one of the Padres' stronger trading chips.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #7 prospect in 2004
  Undrafted after he strained a tendon in his right leg late in his senior season at Mississippi State, Knott won the Cal League batting title (.341) in his 2002 pro debut. Shifting his focus to hitting for more power in 2003, he increased his homer output from 11 to 28 (tops in the organization) and led the Double-A Southern League with 59 extra-base hits. Knott has the most usable game power in the system. He also has the potential to hit for average and draws lots of walks. He runs well and plays decent defense for a man his size, and he has enough arm to handle right field. He's an overachiever whose makeup can take him far. Knott ran hot and cold in 2003, sometimes falling into extended slumps when pitchers wouldn't challenge him. There's still a question about whether he's a long-term outfielder or merely a first baseman. Knott needs a full year in Triple-A before trying to break through a logjam of similar players in San Diego. Brian Giles, Ryan Klesko, Xavier Nady and Phil Nevin are entrenched ahead of him.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #22 prospect in 2003
  Knott went from nondrafted free agent in 2001 to California League batting champion and Padres co-minor league player of the year in 2002. He probably would have been drafted after leading Mississippi State with a .359 average and eight homers as a senior, but he strained a tendon in his right leg late in the college season. He wasn't fully healthy until that September, when he signed with San Diego. Knott plays with the work ethic of someone grateful for the opportunity to play pro ball, and he has tools to go with his desire. He's a line-drive hitter with gap power and an understanding of the strike zone. Despite his size he has average speed and is a sneaky threat on the bases. He moves well in the outfield and may have enough arm to play right field. He also has seen time at first base, where he's solid, and played third base in instructional league. Knott has made himself into a prospect and will continue to progress toward San Diego in Double-A this year.