Guardians select Christian Knapczyk in Fifth Round of 2023 MLB Draft
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Louisville shortstop Christian Knapczyk has been selected by the Cleveland Guardians with the No. 161 overall pick in the fifth round of the 2023 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
He is the first Cardinal to be selected in this year's draft. In Dan McDonnell's 17-year tenure as head coach, Knapczyk is Louisville's 100th MLB Draft selection, and the 34th in the first five rounds. He's also the sixth former Cardinal to ever be drafted by Cleveland, and the first since Liam Jenkins in 2018.
The 5-foot-9, 165-pound middle infielder has been one of the most reliable and consistent leadoff batters in the ACC for the last two years. This past season as a junior, he hit .331/.455/.408 with one homer, 24 RBI, eight doubles, a triple, 21 walks and a team-high 19 stolen bases in 45 games and 44 starts. His stolen base mark was good for fifth in the ACC, while his 19 hit-by-pitches came in second in the league and 29th nationally.
The Plainfield, Ill. native's best season came as a sophomore in 2022. In 54 games and 53 starts, he posted a .346/.480/.465 slash line with two home runs, 27 RBI, 12 doubles, four triples, 41 walks, 17 stolen bases and 75 total runs scored. His batting average was second on the team, his on-base percentage was fourth in the ACC, while his 1.33 runs per game was good for fourth nationally.
Even as a true freshman in 2021, Knapczyk was productive. That year, he hit .297/.374/.385 with 19 RBI, nine doubles, two triples, 14 walks and seven stolen bases. Both his batting average and on-base percentage were good for fourth on the team.
Should he sign with the Guardians, the 161st overall pick has a slot value of $371,000. He would finish his Louisville career with a .328/.444/.425 slash line, three home runs, 70 RBIs, 29 doubles, seven triples, 76 walks, 40 hit-by-pitches, 43 stolen bases and 137 runs scored in 143 games and 140 starts.
(Photo of Christian Knapczyk: Jared Anderson - Louisville Report)
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