Dodgers Pitcher Cracks List of '20 Hottest Prospects'

Maren Angus-Coombs | Apr 13, 2024

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Landon Knack was competing for the fifth spot in the starting rotation during spring training, he broke camp with the big league club and traveled to Korea but shortly after he was assigned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

However, Baseball America believes that Knack is one of the top 20 hottest MLB prospects and he comes in ranked No. 19 as of April 9. The "Hot Sheet" is a weekly installment that ranks players based on how they performed the previous week.

According to BA, Knack has performed well over two starts with Oklahoma City. He hasn't shown overpowering stuff but generates whiffs with his fastball, slider, curveball and changeup. His ability to land a variety of shapes and move the ball around the zone is his bread and butter.

He's also ranked in the top 20 because of his stats. He has a record of 0-0 with an ERA of 3.60 across 10 inning pitched. He has allowed eight hits, four runs (all earned), two walks and one home run while striking out 10.

In February, Dodgers Nation reported that Knack was determined to make his big league debut in 2024. He had a successful 2023 season that earned him the organization’s Pitching Prospect of the Year honors.

Last year, he began the season with Double-A Tulsa posting a record of 3-1 with an ERA of 2.93. He was promoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City in mid-June and found even more success. He went 2-0 with a 2.20 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings. He threw 57 1/3 innings across 12 starts.

With Walker Buehler inching toward his return to a Dodgers uniform, the likelihood of Knack becoming a regular starter probably won't happen this year. However, that doesn't mean he won't get a call for a spot start at some point.