Nationals Release Veteran Catcher Who Was Dominating Minor League Pitching

“Nationals release veteran catcher who was dominating minor league pitching”

On Saturday, the Washington Nationals made a transaction that utterly flew underneath the radar amid the Baltimore Orioles and their firing of supervisor Brandon Hyde following his staff’s loss to the Nationals on Friday night time. The sport was definitely one the Orioles had no enterprise shedding, and it was seemingly the straw that broke the camel’s again.

Nevertheless, circling again to the Nationals, the team chose to release veteran catcher Andrew Knizner, who had an opt-out in his minor league contract over the weekend. This does not actually come as a significant shock, as, regardless of Knizner’s nice numbers with AAA Rochester, his path to enjoying time on the massive league degree with the Nationals appeared murky at finest.

In 23 video games with the Crimson Wings, Knizner had gathered a .382/.516/.500 slash line, good for a 1.016 OPS, to associate with a homer and 11 RBIs throughout 91 plate appearances. He was completely dominating AAA pitching, however was nonetheless seemingly behind fellow Crimson Wings’ catcher Drew Millas on the organizational depth chart.

Knizner was signed as catching competitors in spring coaching to problem Millas and incumbent massive league catcher Keibert Ruiz and Riley Adams, and was among the many staff’s remaining cuts earlier than the common season started. Given his numbers and groups throughout the massive leagues all the time looking for veteran catching depth, it should not be lengthy earlier than Knizner finds a brand new dwelling for the 2025 season.

On condition that Keibert Ruiz has began extra video games than some other catcher within the massive leagues up to now in 2025, and Riley Adams doing the most effective he can in his restricted enjoying time to earn extra reps, if an damage had been to happen, it is arduous to disclaim that the Nationals would not look to offer Millas the primary crack at incomes the backup job.

Whereas Millas hasn’t precisely impressed in his restricted massive league alternatives, with only a .259/.330/.365 slash line in 95 plate appearances on the massive league degree, his long-term upside is way greater than Knizner, and is’t not too late for him to indicate a few of that upside that when had him ranked as a TOp 30 Prospect within the group.

We’re wishing Knizner all the most effective shifting ahead as he appears to proceed his profession, and absolutely his defensive chops will get him a glance from one other group within the close to future.

What do you consider the Nationals releasing Andrew Knizner? As all the time, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.