The Sacramento River Cats introduced a new addition to their lineup on Wednesday, as veteran catcher and former St. Louis Cardinal Andrew Knizner joined the team on a minor league contract, according to the organization’s transaction log.
SF Giants bolster catching depth by adding former Cardinals backstop on minor league deal
Andrew Knizner made an immediate impact in his Sacramento River Cats debut, going 3-for-5 with two doubles and three RBIs in an 8-1 victory over the Oklahoma City Comets. He had started the year with the Washington Nationals’ Triple-A affiliate but opted out of his contract earlier this week.
His addition to Sacramento’s roster may hint at a larger roster shakeup. The team already has two catchers, Max Stassi and Logan Porter. Stassi ended last season on the White Sox’s 40-man roster despite not appearing in a game. Now with the Giants on a minor league deal, Stassi has several opt-out clauses. While he’s passed on using them so far, another decision point is coming on June 1. If he opts out and the Giants don’t add him to their 40-man roster, he’ll become a free agent.
Should the Giants choose to promote Stassi, current big-league backup catcher Sam Huff might be the odd man out. However, Stassi has only played once since returning from the injured list, so that situation remains uncertain.
In the meantime, Knizner brings experience and offensive promise to Sacramento. The 30-year-old right-handed hitter owns an .821 OPS in four Triple-A seasons, including a 1.016 OPS earlier this year with the Nationals’ affiliate. He also has six years of MLB experience—primarily with the Cardinals—posting a .596 OPS overall, though he delivered a solid .712 OPS with 10 homers and 31 RBIs in 2023.
Defensively, Knizner has limited value. While he’s occasionally adequate at framing pitches, his blocking and throwing tools are below average. For now, he’ll share catching duties in Sacramento with Stassi and Porter.
