The Tulsa Drillers recently announced their Opening Day roster, which was without Landon Knack, one of the organization’s top arms heading into the 2022 season.
The Drillers Opening Day roster is headlined by fellow Los Angeles Dodgers prospects Bobby Miller, Michael Busch and Andy Pages. In total there are 10 players on the Tulsa roster ranked among the Dodgers’ top-30 prospects. The main omission from the roster was Knack, who is the No. 7 ranked prospect in the organization.
He most recently appeared in the 2021 Fall Stars Game with Miller and Drillers outfielder James Outman.
According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Knack didn’t start the Minor League season with the Drillers due to injury but will soon join the Drillers:
Dodgers pitching prospect Landon Knack will also report to Double-A Tulsa when ready. Was dealing with a minor soft tissue injury, but is back facing hitters and is in the process of building back up – hence why he wasn't on Tulsa's initial roster.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) April 5, 2022
Unfortunately, Knack’s injury caused him to miss out on making Tulsa’s Opening Day rotation, but barring any setbacks in the buildup process, he should be available to join the team for his season debut sometime at the end of April.
Knack split time between High-A Great Lake Loons and the Drillers in 2021, facing some struggles after the promotion. Overall he put together a fine season by posting a 3.18 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 11.84 strikeouts per nine innings across 62.1 innings pitched.
The right-hander did not appear in a Cactus League game for the Dodgers during Spring Training.
Knack, Dodgers prospects could make MLB debuts
As the Dodgers look to round out their starting rotation in the coming months, several prospects may also get an opportunity to log important innings in 2022.
“We’ve got some really good guys in place,” president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said during the offseason.
“That being said, we’re going to need to address that. We’ve got a really good group of young starting pitchers coming. With Mitch White, Andre Jackson, we saw some of this year. Miller, Ryan Pepiot, and Knack will all be in the upper levels or Major League when we start the year.
“It really gives us a strong foundation and depth, so now rounding the rotation will definitely be something we’re focused on as we get into the winter.”
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