Rangers went from Mitch Garver to Andrew Knizner too? Why Mariners following suit is PERFECT fit

Описание: Twitter & Insta @DomSkene

Links used:
Catching-specific dude loves this move
https://x.com/KickDirtBB/status/19996...

Had his first child in October. Chose Child’s middle name as “Louis” as a nod to making his MLB debut in St Louis- despite being non-tendered by the org

Via his wife’s IG

Twitter thread on his defensive development from former MLB Player Development staffer in 2024

https://x.com/AdamNaliwajko/status/17...
-Specific changes aided by Rangers Catching Coach Bobby Wilson

Knizner tripling at the end of the regular season this year https://x.com/NBCSGiants/status/19710...
-Part of ridiculously hot second half

Oppo taco from ST 2 years ago https://x.com/Rangers/status/17625801...
-Little bit of Garver to the swing in terms of axis, but little more athletic, definitely younger

Watched this one grand slam of his, and based on broadcast call, heard he came into that game as a pinch runner for Nolan Arenado. Experience as a pinch runner? Maybe he is a trustworthy baserunner.
   • Andrew Knizner clobbers a grand slam to le...  


Regular Tuesday appearances on St Louis Sports Radio ( STL Sports Central on YouTube)
   • Andrew Knizner Talks Getting Non-Tendered ...  
Andrew Knizner Talks Getting Non-Tendered By The Cardinals
Shows excellent human side
What’s next for you after getting non-tendered? “I don’t really know, to be honest. I’ve never been in this position before.”
You can hear how much the radio hosts LOVE this guy
He’s the guy the pitching staff loves and goes to for extra info on upcoming batters
Clearly a fan, radio favorite
   • Cardinals Catcher Andrew Knizner Explains ...  
Cardinals Catcher Andrew Knizner Explains the Willson Contreras Situation
Explains eloquently what it’s like to go through 8-game losing streak and then 2-game winning streak
Preaches “one game at a time”
One of this channel’s core values


My message to you, Andrew Knizner- I would absolutely LOVE to have you on the channel to discuss everything from this fascinating backstory to your excellent 2025 form to your upcoming Mariners career. You’re excellent at radio appearances and I think you deserve to become a fan favorite here in Seattle, too.


Oh and by the way he’s backed up Yadi, Willson Contreras, Jonah Heim- when all three played at an all-star level (or did in years prior.) Not to mention Patrick Bailey when he won the NL C Gold Glove in 2025.

Became a catcher in college at NCSU
-Patrick Bailey was drafted out of the same school?!


I love Tom Murphy too. But he’s older and has been injured a lot. I’m not going to do a deep dive into him because I think those two factors just make it tough to look too closely at him as a serious candidate to be the dependable backup. Knizner is ready to put his body on the line this year to go win us ballgames and is at the perfect point to do so.

103 Days Til Opening Day
69 Til Spring Training Games
60 Til Pitchers & Catchers Report

Andrew Knizner- Jerry DiPoto & The Mariners catcher-whispering strategy

Dude just hit .306 with a 137 wRC+ in the second half of the year this year, and is entering his prime at age 30.

Rangers replaced Mitch Garver with Andrew Knizner

In 2023, the Texas Rangers won the World Series with Mitch Garver as the backup catcher (who also hit well enough to play a lot of DH for them). In 2024, they let him walk and become a Seattle Mariner, and replaced him with Andrew Knizner, who the Cardinals had recently non-tendered to make room for up-and-comers Pedro Pages and Ivan Herrera as Willson Contreras’ backups.

In 2025, the Mariners were mere innings away from the World Series with Mitch Garver as the backup catcher. In 2026, they are letting Mitch Garver walk (which we thought would be to make room for up and comer Harry Ford as Cal Raleigh’s backup,) but now have replaced him with- you guessed it- Andrew Knizner.