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Chicago Cubs: Caleb Knight another catching talent in the system
By Logan Whaley
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.