Andrew Knizner Bio
Andrew Robert Knizner (born February 3, 1995) is an American professional baseball catcher who has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, and San Francisco Giants. A right-handed hitting backstop, he made his major league debut in 2019 after rising through the Cardinals’ farm system. Over the years, Knizner has built a reputation as a steady defensive catcher with a calm presence behind the plate.
After beginning his career as a depth option behind future Hall of Famer Yadier Molina in St. Louis, Knizner has since bounced between several organizations, contributing as a veteran backup and a steady Triple-A presence. He is currently a free agent after most recently playing in the Seattle Mariners and Colorado Rockies systems.
Early Life and Background
Andrew Robert Knizner was born on February 3, 1995, in Mechanicsville, Virginia, and grew up in the same community where he would later become a local sports standout. He attended Hanover High School, where he captained the baseball team during his senior year. That season, he batted .453 with five home runs and led the program to a Class AAA state championship, establishing himself as one of the most promising young players in the region.
Following high school, Knizner enrolled at North Carolina State University, where he played college baseball for the NC State Wolfpack. He was named to the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American team after a strong first year. Prior to his sophomore season, the coaching staff moved him from third base to catcher, a transition that ultimately defined his professional trajectory. During the summers of 2014 and 2015, he played collegiate summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Wareham Gatemen, gaining valuable experience against top amateur competition.
Path to Major League Baseball
As a junior at NC State, Knizner batted .292 with six home runs and 30 runs batted in, while posting a .991 fielding percentage and throwing out 16 of 37 attempted base stealers behind the plate. His defensive growth, combined with his offensive consistency, made him an appealing prospect heading into the 2016 MLB Draft. The St. Louis Cardinals selected him in the seventh round, signing him to begin his professional career that summer.
Knizner quickly moved through the lower levels of the Cardinals’ system, opening with the Johnson City Cardinals in 2016 and reaching Double-A Springfield by the end of 2017. He was selected to the 2018 All-Star Futures Game, an annual showcase of the sport’s top minor league talent. That recognition, paired with his continued offensive production and defensive polish, set the stage for his major league call-up in 2019.
Andrew Knizner Career
Minor League Development (2016–2018)
Knizner signed with St. Louis and made his professional debut with the Johnson City Cardinals, posting a .319 batting average with six home runs and 42 runs batted in across 53 games, earning Appalachian League postseason All-Star honors. He began 2017 with the Peoria Chiefs, starting the Midwest League All-Star Game, and was promoted to the Double-A Springfield Cardinals in June. He finished that season with a combined .302 average, 12 home runs, and 51 RBI in 95 total games. After the year, the Cardinals sent him to the Arizona Fall League, where he was named the AFL Hitter of the Week in the first week of play.
Knizner entered 2018 as a non-roster invitee to Cardinals spring training and opened the year at Springfield. After batting .333 with two home runs and 18 RBI in 27 games, he was promoted to the Memphis Redbirds before being reassigned in June. He earned a spot in the 2018 All-Star Futures Game and finished the year with a .313 average, seven home runs, and 45 RBI across 94 games between Springfield and Memphis, cementing his status as one of the organization’s top catching prospects.
St. Louis Cardinals Era (2019–2023)
Knizner began 2019 at Memphis and was called up to the majors for the first time on May 31. He made his MLB debut at Busch Stadium on June 2 against the Chicago Cubs, going 0-for-3 in a 2–1 Cardinals win. After being optioned briefly, he returned in July and recorded his first major league hit, a double off Chris Archer, on July 17. Six days later, he hit his first major league home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates, helping St. Louis to a 14–8 victory. He finished his rookie year batting .226 with two home runs and seven RBI in limited action.
Knizner remained in St. Louis as Yadier Molina’s primary backup, appearing in 63 games during 2021 and 96 games in 2022, when Molina battled injuries. On January 13, 2023, he agreed to a one-year, $1.1 million contract to avoid salary arbitration. Midway through the season, the Cardinals shifted Willson Contreras to designated hitter and installed Knizner as the primary catcher, though the change was brief. He played 70 games that year, batting .241 with 10 home runs and 31 RBI, before being non-tendered on November 17.
Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks (2024)
On January 11, 2024, Knizner signed a one-year major league contract with the Texas Rangers. He appeared in 35 games for Texas, batting .167 with one home run and nine RBI before being designated for assignment on August 6. Two days later, the Arizona Diamondbacks claimed him off waivers. He spent the rest of the season with the Triple-A Reno Aces, slashing .274 with two home runs and 12 RBI, before being designated for assignment again on September 14. After clearing waivers, he elected free agency on October 1.
Washington Nationals and San Francisco Giants (2025)
On January 17, 2025, Knizner signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals and reported to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. He excelled there, slashing .382 with one home run and 11 RBI in 23 appearances, before being released on May 17. Shortly afterward, on May 21, he signed a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants and joined the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats. The Giants selected his contract on June 4, and he went on to play 33 games for San Francisco, batting .221 with one home run and five RBI. On November 21, the Giants designated him for assignment, and he elected free agency the same day.
Seattle Mariners and Colorado Rockies (2025–2026)
On December 16, 2025, Knizner signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Seattle Mariners. He was removed from the Mariners’ 40-man roster on March 25, 2026, and elected free agency. On April 1, 2026, he signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies and was assigned to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes, where he hit .279 with 10 home runs across 33 games. He was released on June 18.
Notable Events and Milestones
Knizner’s career has been highlighted by a series of firsts, including his 2019 MLB debut at Busch Stadium, his first major league hit and home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and his selection to the 2018 All-Star Futures Game. He also navigated a notable transition from a third-base prospect to a catching role during his sophomore year at NC State, and later served as a steady veteran presence for several clubs. His uncle was a quarterback for the Penn State Nittany Lions and a backup on the 1986 team that won a college football national championship.
Andrew Knizner Career Wins
As a catcher, Andrew Knizner has built his professional resume around defensive reliability, game-calling, and timely hitting rather than traditional win totals. His career has been marked by consistent on-base skills in the minors and steady production in limited major league opportunities across multiple organizations.
Minor League Highlights
Knizner’s most decorated minor league campaign came in 2017, when he hit .302 with 12 home runs and 51 RBI across 95 games between Peoria and Springfield. He was selected to the Midwest League All-Star Game that season and went on to bat .358 in the Arizona Fall League. The following summer, he earned a spot in the All-Star Futures Game after slashing .313 with seven home runs and 45 RBI between Springfield and Memphis.
Major League Performances
In the majors, Knizner’s most productive year came in 2023, when he batted .241 with 10 home runs and 31 RBI across 70 games for St. Louis. He posted a .226 average with two home runs as a rookie in 2019 and appeared in 96 games in 2022 during Yadier Molina’s injury absence. Combined through the 2025 season, he owns a .211 career batting average with 19 home runs and 90 RBI in MLB.
Andrew Knizner Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Knizner comes from a family with a deep athletic background. His uncle played quarterback for the Penn State Nittany Lions and served as a backup on the 1986 squad that won a college football national championship. That athletic pedigree helped shape Knizner’s competitive approach as he rose through the high school and college ranks in Virginia.
Personal Life
On December 20, 2024, Knizner married Ally Rahn, a former Miami Dolphins cheerleader, in a ceremony held in Jupiter, Florida. The couple has continued to support his baseball career as he has moved between organizations in recent seasons.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a year of transition for Andrew Knizner, who split his time between the Triple-A affiliates of three different organizations. He opened the year with the Washington Nationals’ Rochester Red Wings and quickly produced, slashing .382/.516/.500 with one home run and 11 RBI across 23 games before being released in mid-May. His strong on-base skills and steady catching drew attention from clubs looking for veteran depth.
After joining the San Francisco Giants organization in late May and dominating at Triple-A Sacramento, Knizner had his contract selected on June 4. He went on to appear in 33 games for the Giants, batting .221/.299/.299 with one home run and five RBI. He provided a reliable defensive presence and a veteran bat off the bench, though San Francisco designated him for assignment on November 21.
With Knizner again a free agent heading into the next offseason, his 2025 campaign underscored his value as a depth catcher capable of stepping in at the major league level when needed. His ability to produce quickly at Triple-A, combined with his track record of stepping into backup roles, leaves him well positioned to attract interest from clubs seeking a dependable reserve.
