2024 Cleveland Guardians Prospect Scouting Report: #35 INF Christian Knapczyk

Knapczyk boasts a high contact rate, above average speed and is a strong defender with interesting swing data

Justin Lada

Feb 20, 2024

Christian Knapczyk Bio

Age (2024 season): 22
Acquired: 2022 Draft (Round 4)
2023 Level: Low-A/High-A
Height: 5’8
Weight: 180
Bats: Left
Throws: Right

Christian Knapczyk 2023 (College) Stats

PA: 211
AVG/OBP/SLG: .331/.455/.408
2B: 8
HR: 1
SB: 19/25
K%/BB%: 9%/9.9%

Christian Knapczyk 2024 Scouting Grades

Hit: 45
Power: 30
Speed: 55
Defense: 55
Arm: 50
Overall: 40
Risk: Moderate
ETA: 2026

Build & Background

Undersized infield type profile. Very moderate, but athletic build. Minimal but not zero room for projection or added strength. Short leg kick and low weight transfer in swing. Hands are very quiet ni his swing. Underrated rotational athlete. Dad played college baseball. Played basketball in high school.

https://x.com/burkegranger/status/1571533484753129481?s=20

https://x.com/SeanDuncan729/status/1243702845158895617?s=20

What Knapczyk Does Well

High contact rates are what drive Knapczyk’s offensive game and skill set. He doesn’t strike out and puts the ball in play, which is obviously one of the reasons Cleveland was drawn to him. It’s a short and efficient swing. Knows how to use his hands to find the ball. Gets out of the box very well from the left side and might be a better underway (near sub 4.00 home-to-first times). Has solid actions and range at short, probably average overall. Average arm for the left side of the infield, but appears to have a good internal clock overall at the position. Probably profiles best defensive at second base. While he doesn’t post high exit velos or power numbers, in high school, Knapczyk has shockingly high bat speed and acceleration in both his bat and his body, rotationally speaking. That’s not to suggest he’s going to turn into a power hitter, but there may be more impact in the bat than he’s shown in college and might be a candidate for a swing change to get the ball in the air more.

https://x.com/PGCollegeBall/status/1504942682224926721?s=20

https://x.com/PeterGFlaherty/status/1644756210485215232?s=20

Where Knapczyk Needs to Improve

While Knapczyk doesn’t have a projectable frame, he could still add, and would benefit from adding strength. His arm should play at short, but it is likely better at second base. As noted above with his potential biomechanical data in terms of his bat speed and acceleration, one wonders if he should be a candidate for swing change to elevate the ball more.

https://www.prepbaseballreport.com/news/IL/Blast-from-the-Past-Christian-Knapczyk-2020-8140673529

https://x.com/bradleysmart15/status/1371152173808164871?s=20

Key Stats

Knapczyk did have an aggressive approach in 2023, walking and striking out at roughly the same rate. In 2022 however, he had a 15% walk rate and a 9.8% strikeout rate. So his swing decisions either got worse or he just got more aggressive. It will be worth watching how that goes in the pros for him. Additionally, he was hit by a pitch 15 times in 2022 and 19 more in 2023, quite a high rate. We’ve learned getting hit by pitches is actually a skill and Knapczyk seems to have it, so that should aid his OBP skills.

Intangibles

The athleticism that shows his ability to rotate and accelerate could be counted here. He sort of has that dirt bag, and high motor vibe as well that is a fit for his skill set and position. You can count his basketball background in high school as well as his dad playing college ball here too.

Future

The strong bat speed and rotational ability are great to note and worth keeping an eye on, but until that really takes hold in real games and changes his ability to impact the baseball, I think we’re looking at an Ernie Clement-type player here. Despite the high contact rates, that’s why I can’t put anything more than a fringe hit tool on him, because just putting the ball in play does not equal a good hit tool. It’s a start. But contact quality matters if you want to be an average or contact hitter in the majors. So for now, he gets fringe-average for high contact but low impact until that changes. Good speed. Hard-nosed. Solid instincts. High contact rates. But that’s what this profile feels like and he could move quickly with it. But keep an eye on any possible swing changes that give him a more pull/fly ball profile.

Role

40 - Utility type infielder