Dodgers Starting Triple-A Pitcher in Consecutive Games

Knack, a 2020 second-round draft pick, impressed during his debut MLB campaign last year. The rookie went 3-5 with a 3.65 ERA and 4.72 FIP over 12 starts, 15 games, and 69 innings. Knack also made a relief appearance in game two of the Tokyo Series, going two innings with one hit, no runs, and three strikeouts. He threw 19 strikes on 30 pitches.

Knack has always had good command (2.3 walks/nine in the Majors), and while he may not have the most overpowering stuff, his fastball-changeup-curveball arsenal is good enough to mow down lineups.

It’s amazing that even with this stacked group of arms, Los Angeles has already turned to two relatively unproven young guys. It’s also a bit surprising that Bobby Miller was not recalled for one of these starts.

Miller’s rookie campaign in 2023 ended with an 11-4 record over 22 starts and 124 and 1/3 innings with a 3.76 ERA and 3.51 FIP. In fairness to Knack and Wrobleski, Miller was racked to the tune of an 8.52 ERA and 6.97 FIP in 56 innings last year. However, he was dealing with right shoulder inflammation and never returned to his 2023 form.

Even if Knack has a quality start tonight, it feels unlikely that the Dodgers would waste his talents in the bullpen as a rotation gig is probably beyond his reach when the team is fully healthy.