Nationals Release Andrew Knizner

The Nationals are set to release catcher Andrew Knizner, the Washington Post’s Andrew Golden reports.  The transaction comes in advance of an opt-out date in Knizner’s minor league contract this weekend, and the Nats have chosen to move on from the 30-year-old backstop rather than overwrite his opt-out by adding him to the big league roster.

It’s hard to say that Knizner could’ve gone any more to merit a call-up, as he is hitting .382/.516/.500 over 91 plate appearances with Triple-A Rochester.  This eye-popping slash line is obviously a huge improvement over Knizner’s much more modest career numbers in the minors, as well as his .210/.279/.317 slash line over 887 career PA in the majors with the Cardinals and Rangers from 2019-24.  As one might expect, Knizner’s unexpected surge at the plate is aided by some good fortune, namely a .431 BABIP.

The secondary metrics were likely the reason Washington didn’t feel compelled to give Knizner a look on the active roster, even though backup catcher Riley Adams is hitting only .167/.167/.400 in 30 PA.  Starter Keibert Ruiz is obviously not going anywhere, but even Ruiz’s production (.279/.329/.361 in 158 PA) hasn’t been inspiring, as Ruiz has only a 96 wRC+.

Adams is out of minor league options, so the Nationals would have to designate Adams for assignment and expose him to waivers in order to try and get him back to Triple-A.  Despite Adams’ lack of contributions on offense or defense, the Nats seem comfortable with their catching situation, thus making Knizner the odd man out.  Given how catching depth is always at a premium, Knizner will surely land another contract in short order, and might even have a shot at a guaranteed MLB deal.