Andrew Robert Knizner (/ˈkɪznər/ KIZZ-ner;[1] born February 3, 1995) is an American professional baseball catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB).
Andrew Knizner | |
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![]() Knizner with the Memphis Redbirds in 2019 | |
St. Louis Cardinals – No. 7 | |
Catcher | |
Born: (1995-02-03) February 3, 1995 (age 27) Glen Allen, Virginia | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
MLB debut | |
June 2, 2019, for the St. Louis Cardinals | |
MLB statistics (through 2022 season) | |
Batting average | .204 |
Home runs | 7 |
Runs batted in | 45 |
Teams | |
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Knizner attended Hanover High School in Mechanicsville, Virginia.[1] During his senior year, he was captain of the school's baseball team while batting .453 with five home runs, leading Hanover to a Virginia Class AAA state championship.[2] After graduating, he attended North Carolina State University where he played college baseball for the NC State Wolfpack.[3] Prior to his sophomore season, he switched from third base to catcher.[4][5] In 2014 and 2015, he played collegiate summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Wareham Gatemen.[6][7] As a junior, he batted .292 with six home runs and 30 RBIs, along with compiling a .991 fielding percentage and throwing out 16 of 37 base runners attempting to steal.[8] After his junior year, Knizner was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft.[9]
Knizner signed with St. Louis and made his professional debut with the Johnson City Cardinals and posted a .319 batting average with six home runs and 42 runs batted in (RBIs) in 53 games. He was named to the Appalachian League postseason All-Star team.[10] He started 2017 with the Peoria Chiefs and was the starting catcher in the Midwest League All-Star Game.[11] In June, he was promoted to the Double-A Springfield Cardinals, skipping the High-A Palm Beach Cardinals.[12][13]
Knizner finished 2017 with a combined .302 batting average with 12 home runs and 51 RBIs in 95 total games between the two clubs, including a .324 batting average in 51 games with Springfield.[14] After the season, the Cardinals assigned Knizner to the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League (AFL).[15] He was named the AFL Hitter of the Week the first week of the season after tallying eight hits, two home runs, and five RBIs in 17 at-bats.,[16] and was selected to participate in the Fall Stars Game. Knizner finished the 2017 AFL batting .358 with three home runs, 12 RBIs, and a .940 OPS in 17 games. Knizner was a non-roster invitee to 2018 spring training.[17]
Knizner began 2018 with Springfield and after batting .333/.412/.467 with two home runs and 18 RBIs in 27 games, he was promoted to the Memphis Redbirds.[18] However, he returned to Springfield on June 9 in order to make room for Carson Kelly on the Memphis roster.[19]
In July, he was selected to represent the Cardinals in the 2018 All-Star Futures Game.[20] In 94 games played between Springfield and Memphis, Knizner slashed .313/.368/.430 with seven home runs and 45 RBIs.[21]
Knizner returned to Memphis to begin 2019. On May 31, his contract was selected and he was called up to the major leagues for the first time.[22] At the time of his call up, he was batting .286 with five home runs and 17 RBIs through 37 games with Memphis.[23]
He made his major league debut at Busch Stadium on June 2 versus the Chicago Cubs, going 0-3 on the day as the Cardinals defeated Chicago 2-1.[24] He was optioned back to Memphis on June 11,[25] and recalled on July 11.[26] He registered his first major league hit, a double, on July 17 against Chris Archer of the Pittsburgh Pirates as the Cardinals defeated Pittsburgh 6-5. On July 24, he hit his first major league home run, also against the Pittsburgh Pirates, leading St. Louis to a 14-8 win.[27] Knizner finished his 2019 rookie regular season in St. Louis batting .226 with two home runs and seven RBIs over 53 at-bats.
In 2020, Knizner only received 17 at-bats across eight games, recording four hits and four RBIs.[28] For the 2021 season, Knizner returned as Yadier Molina's backup, making 161 at-bats over 63 games, slashing .174/.281/.236 with one home run, nine RBIs, and seven doubles.[29]