Drafted in the 14th round (428th overall) by the Oakland Athletics in 2002.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
The A's signed Knox out of Central Arizona Junior College--the same place they found Rich Harden--where he was an integral part of a 2002 National Junior College World Series championship club. Oakland has brought Knox along slowly, but in his first taste of full-season ball last year he led the Midwest League in strikeouts, tied for top honors in victories and finished second to teammate Steven Bondurant in ERA. At 22 he was old for low Class A, but his stuff took a major step forward in 2004. He uses an average 89-91 mph fastball to set up his plus pitch, a knee-buckling curveball that he can break into the strike zone. His changeup is usable but needs improvement. Knox succeeds primarily on excellent command and the ability to change speeds, and there's some doubt as to whether that will be enough at higher levels. The A's still aren't sure what they have in him, but they like what they see so far. He'll be challenged in 2005 with a likely assignment to Double-A.
Best Tools List
Rated Best Curveball in the Oakland Athletics in 2005
Rated Best Control in the Midwest League in 2004
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