Brewers’ Josh Knoth Adapts To Pro Routine At Low-A
When the Brewers drafted righthander Josh Knoth in the supplemental first round in 2023, they knew his development would take time.
After all, the 33rd overall pick out of a Long Island high school was just 17 years old on draft day.
But with an impressive right arm that allowed him to record a 0.17 ERA with 109 strikeouts—breaking Marcus Stroman’s single-season school records at Patchogue-Medford High—Knoth is viewed as a longer-term project with incredible upside.
The Brewers pushed Knoth to Low-A Carolina, where he was one of just eight 18-year-old pitchers at the level. Through his first eight starts, he struck out 33 and walked 16 to go with a 4.50 ERA in 26 innings.
Knoth had not worked more than 4.1 innings or thrown more than 65 pitches in a start as the Brewers ease him into a pro routine.
Knoth throws the best curveball in the minor league system as well as a fastball that topped out at 98 mph. He signed for $2 million last July but spent his first pro summer at the Brewers’ Arizona complex following a long layoff from his high school season.
“As a high school draft pick, he’ll have a larger workload this year than he has experienced before. So he’s being handled accordingly,” Brewers vice president of player operations and baseball administration Tom Flanagan said.
“He pitched into the fifth inning in a recent start. Most importantly, he’s settling into a routine and making all his starts.
“He has a big arm with high-end stuff. And he also has a very good idea of what he’s trying to do out on the mound. Like any young pitcher, it will take time for him to learn to fully harness it. But it’s been exciting to watch him to this point.”
MICRO BREWS
— Tyler Black was one of six members of the Brewers’ preseason Top 30 Prospects ranking to see big league time in 2024. Outfielder Jackson Chourio, shortstop Joey Ortiz and third baseman Oliver Dunn all made the Opening Day roster. Black and lefthander Robert Gasser debuted in late April and early May, respectively, while righthander Bradley Blalock earned his first callup on May 20. Outfielder Garrett Mitchell is expected back from a broken finger sometime in June.
— Righthanders Tate Kuehner (Louisville) and Craig Yoho (Indiana), both 2023 draft picks, were off to great starts at High-A Wisconsin.
Seventh-rounder Kuehner had a 3.75 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 24 innings, while eighth-rounder Yoho had an 0.49 ERA and 0.65 WHIP with seven saves in 14 appearances.
