Christian
Knapczyk

Knapczyk is the Cardinals’ engine and table setter at the top of the lineup. At 5-foot-9, 165 pounds he’s undersized and possesses traditional lead-off characteristics, including a patient approach, high level bat-to-ball skills and a heady presence on the bases. He regularly puts the ball in play (less than a 10% strikeout rate) while demonstrating a solid feel for the zone. As a defender he shows athletic, clean actions and an average arm that all play better at second base than shortstop. Most area scouts like Knapczyk, but are not sure how much they would pay to get him. Although his Blast scores bode well for the future, his current light ISO (.090) is an analytic red flag for many organizations. In pro ball those light on power are challenged in the zone and forced to put the ball in play, diminishing walk totals and therefore on-base percentage.

USA CNT TRIALS: Provides a quality up-the-middle glove and traditional lead-off characteristics, including a patient approach, high contact rates and a heady presence on the bases (leading to good jumps and aiding in his ability to stretch first-to-third on singles and first-to-home on doubles). Through trials Knapczyk regularly put the ball in play while demonstrating a solid feel for the zone and clean actions in the field. While he is already showing some improved ability to drive the ball, impact offensive potential remains the likely determining factor as to how he's viewed from a draft perspective for 2023.

Cape Cod- With a plus-plus run tool, Knapczyk is a constant threat on the bases. He consistently runs hard out of the box and challenges the defense for the extra base. With plus athleticism he can impact the game in many dimensions. At the plate the left handed hitter showed a spray approach with gap power. While batting .321 so far this season, he's also knocked eight doubles and a triple, all good for a .419 SLG%. He's also been regarded as a plus defender, who is highly athletic with an instinctual clock and high baseball IQ. However, he has made five errors this summer and struggled at shortstop to make routine plays during my look last spring in a three-game series at home against Boston College. An undersized scrapper at 5-foot-9, 155 pounds, Knapczyk reminds of former Cardinal Devin Hairston.

+The Cangelosi Sparks put on a hit parade Saturday, dispatching the Fieldhouse Pirates 15-0 in four innings. SS Christian Knapczyk (Joliet Catholic HS, IL) led the way with four RBIs. He blooped a double into left field in his second at-bat and came around to produce more with a two-run single to left field.

Louisville commit. One of the top infielders in the country, heady player, with plus athleticism, impacts the game in every dimension. The joy he has playing the game jumps off the field, plus teammate and leader. 5-foot-9, 150-pound left-handed-hitting shortstop. Plus defender, highly athletic with instinctual clock and baseball IQ, advanced range and highly athletic on the move, has ability to make the exceptional plays look easy. At the plate has shown increasing pop in the bat, spray-type approach but showed home run pop in game, will win extra base hits with speed and hustle out of the box, dynamic baserunner will challenge the defense. Finished the weekend 5-for-16 with two doubles, a triple, and a home run.

Positional Profile: SS/2B 
Body: 5-foot-9, 150-pounds. Smaller frame, lean and athletic, plus body control.
Defense: True middle infield defender, shortstop profile with leadership qualities on the infield, high athletic with body control and well above average range. Plus actions work through the baseball, high end defender.
Arm: RH. INF - 86 mph. Arm carries, plays athletic out of multiple slots and on the move, quick release, accurate to target.
Hit: LHH. Quiet setup, balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride. Maintains quiet balance through contact. Simple, easy swing, short level path creates line drive contact that sprays to all fields. Excellent hand eye and barrel control.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. 
Run: 6.99 runner in the 60. Athletic gait, quick out of the box.

Currently ranked No. 4 in Illinois’ 2020 class, No. 90 overall. 5-foot-9, 150-pound left-handed hitting middle infielder. All-around baseball player, does everything on the field well. Plays with a high-motor with highest-level baseball I.Q. Showed off all his tools during the Sparks’ win over the Nebraska Prospects. Dropped down a bunt single, getting down the line in 3.75 seconds. Also beat out a chopper to the third baseman, 4.09 down the line. Roped a triple to right field, also walked, stole a base. Against Indiana Prospects, drove an outside fastball to the left field corner for a two RBI double, 4.3 on the turn. Defensively, makes every play, ranges exceptionally well to both sides, light on the feet and plays well on the move.  

Louisville commit. Currently ranked No. 2 in the Illinois’ 2020 class. 5-foot-9, 150 pound, lean, wiry, quick-twitch, left handed hitting infielder. A natural shortstop, started at third base for the Hillmen. At the plate, crouched, open setup, short stride with a smooth load. Advanced approach at the plate, thinks middle, feel for the strike zone. Compact swing, quick bat speed, slight natural lift throughout swing path with fluid rhythm throughout. Laced a hard hit, opposite field RBI double finishing 1-for-2 on the day. Defensively, athletic footwork, clean exchange, quick, clean arm and throws had carry across. No action in this game, but showed energetic leadership qualities, advanced for 2020 classification.

Louisville recruit, is the youngest player on the Cangelosi Sparks roster at PBR Fall Championship. Knapczyk is a left-handed hitting infielder and led off in both games today. He has keen eye for the strike zone and very rarely chases pitches out of the zone. He see’s a lot of pitches in every at-bat and finished the first game 1-for-2 with three walks. His one hit was a double in the left-center field gap and he had a 4.3 on the turn. He uses a short, quick swing and generates bat speed out of his 5-foot-7, 120-pound frame. Defensively, he plays with energy on the infield. He’s confident with soft hands and his arm plays well across the diamond.

10.30.16 - Verbally committed to Louisville.

7.16.16 - Undersized shortstop. Should be a high follow middle infielder moving forward. Plays the game with energy. Defensively, quick feet, good range and soft hands. Strong arm, flashed carry, plenty strong enough to stick on the left-side of the infield. Offensively, left-handed hitter with quick hands and fluid rhythm throughout. Controls barrel; athletic setup, pre-pitch rhythm. Line-drive single to left field in his last at-bat; 4.62 home-to-first on the turn. Also, aggressive on the bases. Stole two bases and advanced on balls in the dirt.