Andrew Robert Knizner Bio
Andrew Robert Knizner is an American professional baseball catcher who has played in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, San Francisco Giants, and most recently signed with the Seattle Mariners. Born in Mechanicsville, Virginia, Knizner attended Hanover High School before playing college baseball at North Carolina State University. The St. Louis Cardinals selected him in the seventh round of the 2016 MLB Draft. Knizner made his MLB debut with the Cardinals in June 2019 and has developed into a durable defensive catcher at the major league level.
Early Life and Background
Knizner grew up in Mechanicsville, Virginia, where he attended Hanover High School. During his senior year, he served as team captain and delivered an impressive performance, batting .453 with five home runs while leading Hanover to a Class AAA state championship. His success at the high school level established him as a promising prospect in Virginia baseball.
After graduating from Hanover High School, Knizner continued his baseball career at North Carolina State University, where he played for the NC State Wolfpack. He earned recognition as a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American. Prior to his sophomore season, Knizner made a position switch from third base to catcher, a move that would define his professional path. In the summers of 2014 and 2015, he played collegiate summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Wareham Gatemen. As a junior, he batted .292 with six home runs and 30 runs batted in while posting a .991 fielding percentage and throwing out 16 of 37 base runners attempting to steal.
Path to Professional Baseball
Knizner drew attention from MLB scouts during his junior season at NC State, where his defensive skills behind the plate combined with his offensive production made him an attractive draft prospect. His ability to handle the catching position effectively, paired with his consistency at the plate, positioned him well for professional baseball.
Following his junior year at North Carolina State, Knizner entered the 2016 MLB Draft. The St. Louis Cardinals selected him in the seventh round, recognizing his potential as a two-way catcher capable of contributing both offensively and defensively at the professional level.
Andrew Robert Knizner Career
Minor League Development (2016–2019)
After signing with the St. Louis Cardinals organization, Knizner began his professional career with the Johnson City Cardinals in 2016. He made an immediate impact, posting a .319 batting average with six home runs and 42 RBI in 53 games. His strong debut earned him a spot on the Appalachian League postseason All-Star team.
Knizner advanced quickly through the Cardinals system in 2017. He started the season with the Peoria Chiefs and was selected as the starting catcher in the Midwest League All-Star Game. In June, he received a promotion to the Double-A Springfield Cardinals, bypassing the High-A level. He finished the season with a combined .302 batting average, 12 home runs, and 51 RBI in 95 total games across both clubs. After the season, the Cardinals assigned him to the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League, where he was named AFL Hitter of the Week in the opening week and participated in the Fall Stars Game. He batted .358 with three home runs and 12 RBI in 17 AFL games.
St. Louis Cardinals Breakthrough (2019–2023)
Knizner began 2019 with the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds. On May 31, the Cardinals selected his contract and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut at Busch Stadium on June 2 against the Chicago Cubs, going 0-for-3 at the plate. He registered his first major league hit, a double, on July 17 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Four days later, on July 24, he hit his first major league home run, also against the Pirates, helping St. Louis secure a 14-8 victory. Knizner finished the 2019 season batting .226 with two home runs and seven RBI over 53 at-bats in the majors while being named the best Pacific Coast League defensive catcher by Baseball America in the minors.
In 2020, Knizner appeared in only eight games for the Cardinals, recording four hits and four RBI across 17 at-bats. The following season, he returned as veteran Yadier Molina’s backup, making 185 plate appearances over 63 games while slashing .174/.281/.236 with one home run and nine RBI. He saw increased playing time in 2022 with 293 plate appearances in 96 games as Molina dealt with injuries, finishing with a .215/.301/.300 slash line, four home runs, and 25 RBI.
On January 13, 2023, Knizner agreed to a one-year, $1.1 million contract with the Cardinals, avoiding salary arbitration. In May 2023, he took over as the primary catcher when the Cardinals shifted Willson Contreras to designated hitter, though this arrangement lasted only briefly. Knizner appeared in 70 games for St. Louis, batting .241 with ten home runs and 31 RBI. The Cardinals non-tendered him on November 17, ending his tenure with the organization.
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 the Rangers, batting .167/.183/.211 with one home run and nine RBI. Texas designated him for assignment on August 6. The Arizona Diamondbacks claimed him off waivers two days later. Knizner played 20 games for the Triple-A Reno Aces, slashing .274/.357/.397 with two home runs and 12 RBI. The Diamondbacks designated him for assignment on September 14, and he cleared waivers before being sent outright to Reno on September 18. He elected free agency on October 1.
San Francisco Giants (2025)
On January 17, 2025, Knizner signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals organization. He played 23 appearances for the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, posting an impressive .382/.516/.500 slash line with one home run and 11 RBI before being released on May 17. Later that month, on May 21, he signed another minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants organization. He appeared in eight games for the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, hitting .367 with ten RBI and six walks. On June 4, the Giants selected his contract, adding him to their active roster. Knizner played 33 games for San Francisco, batting .221/.299/.299 with one home run and five RBI. The Giants designated him for assignment on November 21, and he elected free agency the same day.
Defensive Skills and Strengths
Throughout his career, Knizner has earned recognition for his defensive abilities behind the plate. Baseball America named him the best Pacific Coast League defensive catcher during his time in the Cardinals organization. His throwing accuracy and ability to control the running game have been consistent strengths throughout his minor and major league career.
Andrew Robert Knizner Career Performance
Knizner has appeared in parts of six MLB seasons spanning from 2019 through 2025, playing for the St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, and San Francisco Giants. Across his major league career, he has accumulated 19 home runs and 90 runs batted in while posting a .211 batting average. His defensive contributions have been a consistent part of his game at every level.
Major League Statistics Highlights
His most productive MLB season came in 2023 with the St. Louis Cardinals, when he appeared in 70 games and hit ten home runs with 31 RBI while batting .241. He followed that with limited action across brief stints with the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants in 2024 and 2025. Knizner’s ability to handle pitching staffs and provide solid defense has kept him in the majors despite inconsistent offensive numbers.
| Level | Games | Home Runs | RBI | Batting Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB Career | 274 | 19 | 90 | .211 |
| 2023 (STL) | 70 | 10 | 31 | .241 |
Andrew Robert Knizner Family
Family Background
Knizner’s family has connections to collegiate athletics beyond baseball. His uncle served as a quarterback for the Penn State Nittany Lions football team, notably as a backup on the 1986 squad that won a college football national championship. This athletic family background contributed to Knizner’s development as a student-athlete at Hanover High School and later at North Carolina State University.
Personal Life
On December 20, 2024, Knizner married Ally Rahn in Jupiter, Florida. Ally Rahn was formerly a cheerleader for the Miami Dolphins NFL team. The couple established their home life in Florida following Knizner’s MLB career moves. Knizner maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with fans through his verified Twitter and Instagram accounts.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a year of transition for Knizner as he moved between organizations. After beginning the year with the Washington Nationals minor league system, he performed exceptionally well at Triple-A Rochester before securing an opportunity with the San Francisco Giants. His strong showing with the Sacramento River Cats, where he hit .367 in limited games, earned him a call-up to the Giants active roster in June.
Knizner’s time with the Giants provided him with regular major league at-bats during the summer months. He appeared in 33 games and contributed defensively behind the plate while working with Giants pitching staff members. The offensive numbers were modest, but his professional approach and experience continued to make him a valuable depth option at the catcher position.
Following the season, Knizner elected free agency and subsequently signed with the Seattle Mariners in December 2025 on a one-year contract worth $1 million. The move positioned him for a potential role with the American League West club heading into the 2026 season. His career trajectory continues to demonstrate resilience and adaptability as he navigates the roster dynamics of professional baseball.