The Seattle Mariners are making a move that might raise a few eyebrows. In a surprising twist, they’ve reportedly signed veteran catcher Andrew Knizner to a major league deal, adding depth to their roster. But here’s where it gets interesting: Knizner, who will turn 31 by the 2026 season, isn’t exactly known for his standout stats. His career batting line sits at a modest .211/.281/.316, and his defensive metrics haven’t exactly wowed analysts. So, why are the Mariners taking a chance on him? Let’s dive in.
First, let’s talk numbers. Knizner’s career wRC+ is just 68, and his fWAR stands at a disappointing -1.7 over 326 games. Even Baseball Reference’s bWAR gives him a mere 1.0, while Baseball Prospectus’ WARP places him at -0.1. And this is the part most people miss: his defensive skills, often a catcher’s saving grace, haven’t been particularly impressive either. For a light-hitting righty, this makes Knizner something of an enigma.
But it wasn’t always this way. Drafted in the 7th round by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2016, Knizner showed promise early on. At NC State University, he transitioned from third base to catcher as a sophomore and quickly became a standout. By 2019, he was near the top of the Cardinals’ prospect list and even ranked 82nd on FanGraphs’ top-100 list, sandwiched between Will Smith and Jarred Kelenic. He represented St. Louis in the 2018 All-Star Futures Game and was pegged as the eventual successor to Yadier Molina. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite the hype, Knizner struggled to live up to expectations, bouncing between the majors and minors in a backup role.
His brief stint as a starter in 2023, when Willson Contreras stepped away from catching, didn’t do much to change the narrative. Even his best offensive year couldn’t compensate for his lackluster framing, blocking, and ability to control the running game. Since then, he’s been a journeyman, moving between organizations. While his framing has reportedly improved since leaving Molina’s shadow, it’s still surprising to see the Mariners pursue him for a big league deal—even at a presumably low cost.
Watching Knizner at the plate, you might notice a resemblance to Mitch Garver in his swing. At one point, his ability to hit the ball hard was above average, but that skill has been absent in recent seasons. Still, teams have consistently given him opportunities over the past seven years, and he was once a highly regarded prospect. Perhaps the Mariners see untapped potential in him, especially as a lefty-crushing backup catcher—a role they’ve valued with players like Garver, Tom Murphy, and Luis Torrens in recent years.
However, let’s be honest: Knizner hasn’t yet proven himself as that kind of player at the major league level. To succeed in Seattle, he’ll need to find a gear he hasn’t shown before, emulating the impact of Murphy or Torrens rather than fading into obscurity like others. But here’s the question: Is this a smart depth move by the Mariners, or are they betting on a long shot? What do you think? Let us know in the comments—this one’s sure to spark some debate!
