Landon Knack

Landon Knack Bio

Landon Dakota Knack is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on July 15, 1997, Knack was drafted by the Dodgers in the second round of the 2020 MLB draft and made his major league debut in 2024. He reached the pinnacle of his profession quickly, helping the Dodgers capture the World Series championship in his rookie season. Knack played college baseball for the East Tennessee State Buccaneers before beginning his professional career in the minor leagues.

Early Life and Background

Landon Knack grew up in Johnson City, Tennessee, where he attended Science Hill High School. During his high school years, Knack developed his skills as a baseball pitcher, setting the foundation for his future career in professional baseball. His performance at the high school level earned him recognition and provided him with the opportunity to continue his baseball career at the collegiate ranks.

After graduating from Science Hill High School, Knack enrolled at East Tennessee State University. He played college baseball for the East Tennessee State Buccaneers, where he continued to refine his pitching craft against collegiate competition. His standout performances with the Buccaneers positioned him as a promising prospect for Major League Baseball teams.

Path to Professional Baseball

Knack’s collegiate career at East Tennessee State caught the attention of MLB scouts. His effectiveness on the mound and his potential as a future professional pitcher led to his selection in the 2020 MLB draft. The Los Angeles Dodgers chose Knack in the second round, investing in his development as part of their player pipeline. He became part of an organization known for developing pitching talent.

Following his selection, Knack was assigned to begin his professional career in the Dodgers farm system. However, the 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing him from making his professional debut that year. This delay extended his time in amateur baseball and postponed the start of his professional journey.

Landon Knack Career

Minor League Development (2021–2023)

Knack finally made his professional debut in 2021 with the Great Lakes Loons, the Dodgers Single-A affiliate. He performed exceptionally well, compiling a 7–1 record with a 3.18 earned run average across 16 appearances. Knack struck out 82 batters while walking only eight, demonstrating exceptional command of his pitches. His dominant performance earned him a promotion to the Tulsa Drillers during the season.

The 2022 season presented greater challenges for Knack at the Double-A level. He made 17 starts for Tulsa and struggled to find consistency, finishing with a 2–10 record and a 5.01 ERA. The adjustment to facing more experienced hitters in Double-A tested his stuff and required him to make mechanical and strategic adjustments. He returned to Tulsa to open the 2023 season and showed significant improvement, posting a 2–0 record with a 2.20 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 12 starts.

Triple-A Breakthrough and MLB Debut (2023–2024)

Knack earned a promotion to Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers on June 17, 2023. At the highest minor league level, he continued his strong form, recording a 3–1 record with a 2.93 ERA in 10 starts. His 111 total strikeouts across the 2023 season with both Tulsa and Oklahoma City highlighted his ability to miss bats at the upper levels of the minor leagues.

On November 14, 2023, the Dodgers added Knack to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. This move signaled the organization belief in his readiness for major league competition. He made the Dodgers Opening Day roster for the 2024 season but did not pitch in either of the two games played in Seoul, South Korea, and was optioned back to Oklahoma City to begin the minor league season. Knack dominated at the Triple-A level, striking out six hitters in five scoreless innings on Opening Day for Oklahoma City.

Knack received another promotion to the majors and made his MLB debut as a starting pitcher against the Washington Nationals on April 17, 2024. In that start, he allowed two runs on four hits with one walk and four strikeouts. His first major league strikeout came against Nick Senzel. Knack secured his first major league win on April 24, again against the Nationals. Overall in 2024, he went 3–5 with a 3.65 ERA in 15 games (12 starts) with 69 strikeouts in the majors.

Los Angeles Dodgers Era (2024–Present)

Knack became part of a Dodgers team that would capture the 2024 World Series championship. He made the postseason roster and contributed during the championship run. In the National League Division Series, Knack pitched one scoreless inning. His next appearance came in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series, where he allowed five runs on five hits and three walks in two innings of work.

During the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees, Knack pitched four innings in Game 4, allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out two. The Dodgers won the series in five games, earning Knack a World Series championship ring in his rookie season. Through the 2025 season, Knack has accumulated a career MLB record of 6–7 with a 4.12 ERA and 111 strikeouts across his major league appearances.

Pitching Style and Strengths

Knack features a power-oriented repertoire that generates swing-and-miss results at the professional level. His ability to pile up strikeouts while maintaining solid walk rates has been a hallmark throughout his minor league career. His command of multiple pitches allows him to work through lineups effectively when he locate his offerings properly. The Dodgers have utilized him in both starting and relief roles, showcasing his versatility within a major league staff.

Notable Events and Milestones

Knack achieved his ultimate career milestone by winning the World Series in 2024, his rookie season in the majors. His journey from being a second-round draft pick to World Series champion took just four years (excluding the lost 2020 season). The 2024 postseason provided him with invaluable experience on the biggest stage in baseball, facing championship-caliber competition in high-pressure situations. His debut season established him as a rotation piece for the Dodgers moving forward.

Landon Knack Career Wins

Knack has accumulated wins across both minor and major league levels since beginning his professional career in 2021. His minor league career includes stints in Single-A, Double-A, and Triple-A, where he accumulated victories at each level while developing into an MLB-ready pitcher. In his brief major league career through 2025, he has recorded six wins against seven losses with 111 strikeouts.

Major League Baseball Highlights

At the major league level, Knack earned his first career win on April 24, 2024, against the Washington Nationals. He finished his rookie season with a 3–5 record in 15 appearances, including 12 starts. His 69 strikeouts in the majors demonstrated his ability to miss bats against big league hitters. He added to his career totals during the 2025 season, bringing his career MLB record to 6–7 with 111 strikeouts.

Minor League Career Wins

Knack accumulated wins primarily during his minor league development from 2021 to 2023. His most successful minor league season came in 2021, when he went 7–1 combined between Great Lakes and Tulsa. He added to his win total across two seasons with Tulsa and part of a season with Oklahoma City before establishing himself as a major league pitcher.

Education

Academic Background

Knack attended Science Hill High School in Johnson City, Tennessee, where he balanced his academic responsibilities with developing as a baseball player. His high school career laid the groundwork for his eventual path to professional baseball. After graduating from high school, Knack pursued higher education at East Tennessee State University, where he majored in business while playing baseball for the Buccaneers. The combination of athletics and academics prepared him for the demands of professional sports.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season saw Knack split time between the major leagues and Triple-A Oklahoma City. With the Dodgers, he made seven starts and three relief appearances, posting a 3–2 record with a 4.89 ERA. His time in the majors was limited as the team managed his workload and development. Most of his season was spent with Oklahoma City, where he made 21 appearances (18 starts) with a 6–6 record and a 7.01 ERA. The season represented a year of adjustment as Knack continued to establish himself as a major league-caliber pitcher at the highest level.