Gary Knotts

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Miami Marlins #24 prospect in 2002
  Knotts' first major league callup led to the first health scare of his career. Not wanting to say anything after he felt shoulder discomfort in his big league debut in late August, Knotts aggravated it during his first major league start five days later. He had a small tear in his rotator cuff and was shut down for the winter, though surgery wasn't required. Signed for $35,000 as a draft-and-follow, Knotts adjusted well to the high altitude of the Pacific Coast League. He learned to mix in more changeups to go with a power curve and a fastball that tops out at 95 mph. When he's on, his two-seamer produces plenty of groundballs. His strong pitcher's body should make him a future workhorse. Knotts has the upside of a No. 3 or 4 starter but initially could work his way into the Marlins' plans through long relief.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #12 prospect in 2001
  Knotts signed in 1996 for $35,000 as a draft-and-follow. He has filled out considerably in the interim, adding at least 35 pounds to a once-lanky frame. He flopped in a longshot bid to make Florida's rotation out of spring training in 2000, then went through mixed returns in his first full Double-A season. He was the only Marlins starter to make it through the full Arizona Fall League schedule, and he may have done enough there to earn a promotion to Triple-A in 2001. His strong pitcher's body and durability make him a future workhorse. His fastball tops out at 94 mph, and his two-seamer has heavy sink that produces ground balls when he's on. He's a good athlete for his size. Knotts projects as a No. 3 or 4 starter who will gobble up innings. He has a power curve but tends to overthrow it. Some scouts wonder if he'll acquire enough feel with his secondary pitches to be anything more than a middle reliever in the majors.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #9 prospect in 2000
  Background: Knotts was signed in 1996 as a draft-and-follow. He has filled out considerably, adding at least 35 pounds. He spent time at two levels in '99, then showed further progress in the California Fall League. Strengths: Knotts has come a long way the last two seasons, particularly in terms of command and poise. His strong pitcher's body and durability make him a future workhorse. His fastball tops out at 94 mph and his two-seamer has a heavy sink that produces reams of groundballs. He refuses to give in. Weaknesses: He has a power curve but tends to overthrow it. His changeup is just average and he struggles to maintain arm speed with it. He is extremely self-critical and could use a little swagger on the mound. The Future: Knotts projects as a No. 3 or 4 starter who will gobble up innings. He will return to Double-A to start 2000, then could get a big league shot by season's end.