Andrew Knapp has been released from his minor league contract with the Rangers, according to Jeff Wilson of Rangers Today. The veteran catcher activated an opt-out clause in his deal.
During his time with Triple-A Round Rock this season, the 32-year-old Knapp posted solid offensive numbers, hitting .292/.374/.444 across 254 plate appearances. He showed good plate discipline with an 11.8% walk rate, although he also had a 24.4% strikeout rate. Knapp hit six home runs, 13 doubles, and one triple in his stint with Round Rock, benefiting from the hitter-friendly environment of the Pacific Coast League.
Despite his performance, the Rangers have opted to keep Jonah Heim, Andrew Knizner, and Sam Huff as their catchers on the 40-man roster. Heim, despite struggling this season after a strong 2023 campaign, remains secure in his starting role. Knizner, who signed a contract worth $1.825 million in the offseason, has struggled with a .147/.169/.206 slash line in limited playing time but is preferred over Knapp by the team. Huff has spent most of the season in Triple-A, where he has struggled with a high strikeout rate of 31.7%.
Knapp, a former second-round pick by the Phillies, played for Philadelphia from 2017 to 2021 before moving between several teams in 2022. He has not appeared in the majors since then, maintaining a career .209/.310/.313 batting line across 325 MLB games. At the Triple-A level, Knapp has a more respectable .257/.337/.410 slash line over parts of six seasons. While his defensive metrics have not been highly rated, Knapp’s offensive track record in Triple-A suggests he may receive another opportunity in the minors.
