Andrew Knizner

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #8 prospect in 2021
  Hitting: 55. Power: 45. Running: 30. Fielding: 45. Arm: 45.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Knizner was a productive third baseman at North Carolina State but agreed to move behind the plate as a sophomore. The Cardinals drafted him in the seventh round in 2016 and he quickly made his way up the minors. Knizner has proven to be a better hitter than most catchers, but with Yadier Molina and Matt Wieters ahead of him, he’s had just two brief big league callups so far.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Knizner is an above-average hitter and hits the ball as hard as any Cardinals player—his 110 mph maximum exit velocity was fourth best on the team in 2020 even though he had only 17 plate appearances. Knizner hits more line drives than fly balls, but he has the strength for double-digit home run power if he can lift the ball in the air more. The big question is whether Knizner will be good enough defensively behind the plate. His hands are below-average, which limits his ability to frame pitches, and his blocking is also fringy. He has shown better understanding of pitch-calling, but—like everyone else—pales in comparison with Molina.
  
  THE FUTURE: With Molina hitting free agency, Knizner entered the offseason as the team’s internal option to start at catcher in 2021. He will have to improve defensively to nail down the everyday job.
• 
  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #8 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Knizner converted from third base to catcher in college and regressed offensively as he focused on learning his new position. The Cardinals drafted him in the seventh round in 2016 and quickly realized they had a steal. With his bat rejuvenated in pro ball, Knizner hit his way to Double-A in his first full season, advanced to Triple-A in his second and made his big league debut in 2019.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Knizner's bat separates him from other catchers. He keeps his barrel in the zone, uses the whole field and has the hand-eye coordination to make frequent contact and limit his strikeouts despite an aggressive approach. Knizner's line-drive stroke and average power limit his home run output, but he has the strength to elevate to his pull side and reach double-digit homers. Knizner is an adequate but fringe-average defensive catcher still working to improve. He moves well laterally, has an average arm and calls a good game, but his rough hands make him a well below-average receiver and pitch-framer. He is still working on controlling his blocks, as well.
  
  THE FUTURE: Knizner's bat will earn him at least a part-time role in the majors. Whether he eventually replaces Yadier Molina as the Cardinals' everyday catcher will depend on how well he continues his defensive growth.
• 
  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #8 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Knizner played third base his freshman year at North Carolina State before moving to catcher as a sophomore. His offense scuffled with the position change, causing him to slip to the seventh round of the 2016 draft. Knizner signed for just $185,300 but rebounded quickly in pro ball. He hit .302 while reaching Double-A in his first full season and hit .313 with Triple-A Memphis in 2018, when he was also selected to the Futures Game.
  
  Scouting Report: Knizner is an offensive catcher with all the tools to hit. He turns around good velocity with a quick bat, recognizes offspeed pitches and uses the whole field. His swing is more geared for line drives to the gaps, but he can turn on inside fastballs and drive them out to left field for home runs. Knizner is aggressive and doesn't walk much, but he doesn't strike out either with good hand-eye coordination and natural timing. While Knizner is a consensus above-average hitter, his defensive reviews are more mixed. His arm ranges from fringy to average, and his blocking, hands and footwork are still a bit rough. He's a smart leader who calls a good game and works hard behind the plate, showing all the intangibles to catch.
  
  The Future: Knizner has improved defensively, but he still has work to do. He'll try to take the next step at Triple-A Memphis in 2019.
• 
  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #10 prospect in 2018
  Knizner started at third base as a freshman at North Carolina State and moved behind the plate as a sophomore, where his offense regressed as he focused on trying to learn the new position. The Cardinals saw enough to make Knizner a 2016 seventh-round pick and sign him for $185,300. His offense ticked back up in pro ball and has led to a quick rise. Knizner reached Double-A Springfield in his first full season and hit .324 with an .833 OPS at that level. He followed up by hitting .358/.403/.537 in the Arizona Fall League. Knizner's bat is his carrying asset. He has solid bat speed and natural timing, recognizes pitches well and uses the whole field. Knizner's swing is geared mostly for line-drive contact, but he has the strength and approach to elevate for home runs to his pull side. He remains raw defensively, with his receiving, hands and blocking all works in progress, but he progressed and drew some average grades in the AFL. His arm strength is average. Knizner works hard behind the plate for his pitchers and has a solid work ethic, giving evaluators faith he will eventually be a suitable defender back there. He is ticketed for Triple-A Memphis in 2018.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #257 prospect in 2016 draft
  As a freshman, Knizner stepped into N.C. State's lineup as the everyday third baseman and performed, though he drew just two unintentional walks. He moved behind the plate as a sophomore and vexes scouts as he's shown improvement defensively while his offensive production has backed up. Knizner has arm strength but needs time to smooth out his receiving and blocking skills, as he's a below-average defender presently. He has good athleticism strength in his 6-foot-1, 200-pound body that produces good raw power, but his lack of selectivity hampers him offensively. His OPS has dropped each of his three seasons with the Wolfpack, and he's an academic All-American; the combination may make him a tough sign as a junior.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Texas League #16 prospect in 2018
  Typically considered an offense-first catcher, Knizner continued to show off an above-average hit tool in 2018. The former N.C. State product hit .313/.365/.434 in 77 games in the Texas League before being promoted to Triple-A Memphis, where he hit .315/.383/.407 in a limited, 17-game sample. The power will likely never be any more than average for Knizner, who has never hit more than 12 home runs in a season, but his hit tool and overall approach at the plate should be more than enough to hit for a high average and post a respectable on-base percentage in the majors. After not becoming a full-time catcher until later in his college career, Knizner is still relatively new to the position. His arm strength is average, but he’s improved in both blocking and receiving and earned strong reviews from pitchers, who enjoy throwing to him.

• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 45. Running: 30. Fielding: 45. Arm: 45.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Knizner was a productive third baseman at North Carolina State but agreed to move behind the plate as a sophomore. The Cardinals drafted him in the seventh round in 2016 and he quickly made his way up the minors. Knizner has proven to be a better hitter than most catchers, but with Yadier Molina and Matt Wieters ahead of him, he’s had just two brief big league callups so far.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Knizner is an above-average hitter and hits the ball as hard as any Cardinals player—his 110 mph maximum exit velocity was fourth best on the team in 2020 even though he had only 17 plate appearances. Knizner hits more line drives than fly balls, but he has the strength for double-digit home run power if he can lift the ball in the air more. The big question is whether Knizner will be good enough defensively behind the plate. His hands are below-average, which limits his ability to frame pitches, and his blocking is also fringy. He has shown better understanding of pitch-calling, but—like everyone else—pales in comparison with Molina.
  
  THE FUTURE: With Molina hitting free agency, Knizner entered the offseason as the team’s internal option to start at catcher in 2021. He will have to improve defensively to nail down the everyday job.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 45. Running: 30. Fielding: 45. Arm: 45.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Knizner was a productive third baseman at North Carolina State but agreed to move behind the plate as a sophomore. The Cardinals drafted him in the seventh round in 2016 and he quickly made his way up the minors. Knizner has proven to be a better hitter than most catchers, but with Yadier Molina and Matt Wieters ahead of him, he’s had just two brief big league callups so far.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Knizner is an above-average hitter and hits the ball as hard as any Cardinals player—his 110 mph maximum exit velocity was fourth best on the team in 2020 even though he had only 17 plate appearances. Knizner hits more line drives than fly balls, but he has the strength for double-digit home run power if he can lift the ball in the air more. The big question is whether Knizner will be good enough defensively behind the plate. His hands are below-average, which limits his ability to frame pitches, and his blocking is also fringy. He has shown better understanding of pitch-calling, but—like everyone else—pales in comparison with Molina.
  
  THE FUTURE: With Molina hitting free agency, Knizner entered the offseason as the team’s internal option to start at catcher in 2021. He will have to improve defensively to nail down the everyday job.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Knizner converted from third base to catcher in college and regressed offensively as he focused on learning his new position. The Cardinals drafted him in the seventh round in 2016 and quickly realized they had a steal. With his bat rejuvenated in pro ball, Knizner hit his way to Double-A in his first full season, advanced to Triple-A in his second and made his big league debut in 2019.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Knizner’s bat separates him from other catchers. He keeps his barrel in the zone, uses the whole field and has the hand-eye coordination to make frequent contact and limit his strikeouts despite an aggressive approach. Knizner’s line-drive stroke and average power limit his home run output, but he has the strength to elevate to his pull side and reach double-digit homers. Knizner is an adequate but fringe-average defensive catcher still working to improve. He moves well laterally, has an average arm and calls a good game, but his rough hands make him a well below-average receiver and pitch-framer. He is still working on controlling his blocks, as well.
  
  THE FUTURE: Knizner’s bat will earn him at least a part-time role in the majors. Whether he eventually replaces Yadier Molina as the Cardinals’ everyday catcher will depend on how well he continues his defensive growth.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Knizner converted from third base to catcher in college and regressed offensively as he focused on learning his new position. The Cardinals drafted him in the seventh round in 2016 and quickly realized they had a steal. With his bat rejuvenated in pro ball, Knizner hit his way to Double-A in his first full season, advanced to Triple-A in his second and made his big league debut in 2019.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Knizner's bat separates him from other catchers. He keeps his barrel in the zone, uses the whole field and has the hand-eye coordination to make frequent contact and limit his strikeouts despite an aggressive approach. Knizner's line-drive stroke and average power limit his home run output, but he has the strength to elevate to his pull side and reach double-digit homers. Knizner is an adequate but fringe-average defensive catcher still working to improve. He moves well laterally, has an average arm and calls a good game, but his rough hands make him a well below-average receiver and pitch-framer. He is still working on controlling his blocks, as well.
  
  THE FUTURE: Knizner's bat will earn him at least a part-time role in the majors. Whether he eventually replaces Yadier Molina as the Cardinals' everyday catcher will depend on how well he continues his defensive growth.
• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  Knizner is closing in on Kelly as the best catching prospect in the Cardinals system. He ranks among the system leaders in batting average (.305) and is second in on-base percentage (.372) while playing at the highest levels of the minors, and his defense keeps improving. His receiving and blocking raise no red flags for evaluators, and even though his caught-stealing rate has dropped, he shows enough arm strength to keep baserunners honest.