Inside The Phillies

Former Philadelphia Phillies Catcher Signs with Reigning World Series Champs

Former Philadelphia Phillies catcher Andrew Knapp has signed with the Houston Astros on a minor league deal.

Kade Kistner

Former Philadelphia Phillies Catcher Signs with Reigning World Series Champs
Former Philadelphia Phillies Catcher Signs with Reigning World Series Champs /
In this story:

Former Philadelphia Phillies catcher and fan favorite Andrew Knapp has a new job in baseball.

After being released by the Detroit Tigers after 70 games at their Toledo affiliate, Knapp has landed with the Houston Astros.

After being signed on Monday, Knapp was sent to Triple-A Sugar Land where he will act as depth for the Astros. 

Houston currently employs Martin Maldonado and Yainer Diaz at the MLB level. However, Knapp has been slashing .253/.337/.397 in 70 games at the Triple-A level this season and has six seasons of MLB experience, five with the Phillies. 

Since leaving Philadelphia Knapp has had a hard time finding a new home. He has spent time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners and the San Francisco Giants at the Major League level. 

Knapp may find it hard to find an opportunity with Houston this season as Maldonado is entrenched as the first option. Meanwhile, Diaz has had a stellar season at the plate and barring injury, there appears to be no place for Knapp at this moment. 

That being said, a competent and experienced backstop is a luxury this time of season. The Astros adding him only strengthened their bid for a strong stretch push. 

More From SI's Inside The Phillies:

Published
Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl.  During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated.  Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

Home/News