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Chicago Cubs: Caleb Knight another catching talent in the system
The Chicago Cubs have impressive depth in their system behind the plate. While there are more well-known names currently in the pipeline, one backstop is seemingly going unnoticed.
Over time we here at Cubbies Crib have covered what feels like the entire plethora of catchers who currently reside in the Cubs system. From top prospect Miguel Amaya to Jhonny Pereda, from Ethan Hearn and Ronnier Quintero to P.J. Higgins, the list feels endless.
One guy, in particular, has somehow skirted along, however, relatively unknown and under the radar and that is 24-year-old backstop Caleb Knight. While Willson Contreras remains the future in the Windy City, at least for now, it does not hurt to know the team has yet another guy who could find himself making an impact in this decade.
Knight has an interesting journey to professional baseball. After graduating from Checotah High School in Oklahoma, Knight attended Connors State College for two years. It was the start of an exciting experience that would ultimately lead him to professional ball.
Chicago Cubs: From junior college to the pros
While at Connors State, Knight excelled. In his first season, the then 19-year-old slashed an impressive .355/.457/.581 with a 1.038 OPS. He carried a substantial .226 ISO in his first year out of high school and knocked seven long balls while driving in 53 runs.
Knight followed his freshman season up, becoming even stronger in his sophomore season by slashing a whopping .404/.508/.670 with a 1.178 OPS. He improved his power numbers, hitting 12 home runs and impressively cut his strikeout rate in half from 18.09 percent to just 9.66 percent. It led him to the University of Virginia, a college baseball powerhouse.
At Virginia, Knight did fine. Over his final two collegiate seasons, the right-handed hitter slashed .260/.427/.402 with a relatively sturdy .829 OPS. One of the most reliable aspects of his game was his patience at the plate. Knight worked a career 14.68 percent walk rate over his 84 career games as a Cavalier and finished with a decent 16.82 percent strikeout rate. Knight was a part of the undrafted free-agent class and signed with Chicago in 2018.
Chicago Cubs: Impressing in the minor leagues
Beginning his professional career as most prospects do, in the Arizona Rookie League, Knight did make a strong first impression. On paper, it may not have been seen as such as Knight hit just .200, yet he did carry a .385 OBP and finished his five-game stint with a .383 wOBA and 129 wRC+.
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Once moved to Low-A Eugene, Knight regressed slightly. He slashed .159/.367/.250 with a home run and three RBI in 60 plate appearances. Knight did hold his own, however, finishing with a .316 wOBA and a slightly below-average 94 wRC+. The strikeout rate remained at a consistent 15 percent, and Knight did show his patience as mentioned earlier at the plate by working an 18.3 percent walk rate.
This past season Knight took off. He played 32 games at Eugene to begin his campaign and greatly improved across the board. Knight slashed .253/.362/.354 with two home runs and 11 RBI over 118 plate appearances, bouncing back with a .349 wOBA and 113 wRC+.
He made his Class-A South Bend debut at the tail end of the season, going 3-for-6 with an extra-base hit and struck out only once. A robust finish to a much better season.
It is unclear where Knight fits into the catching puzzle for Theo Epstein and the Cubs. As has been discussed many times, the likes of Amaya, Pereda and Quintero could hamper Knight’s future on the North Side; however, it is nice to know the lengths and depth which exists at the catching position.
dark. Next. Red Sox, Astros marred by sign stealing scandal
Still only 24, Knight does have time to continue to grow and improve, and that should give fans who care about the pipeline solace for the future. The South Bend catcher is not Rule 5 eligible until next season, which is excellent and between now and then could continue to excel. Regardless, fans should come to know the name Caleb Knight heading into the next decade of Cubs baseball.