Hot Prospect Profile: Jason Knapp

Posted by Jeremy on April 23, 2009 under Hot Prospect Profile | Be the First to Comment

Jason Knapp—Philadelphia Phillies RHP

H/W:  6-5  215 lb.     B/T:  R/R     DOB:  8/31/90

What I wrote for Hot-Prospects.net on December 19, 2008…

With a 2nd round pick and $590 K signing bonus, the Philadelphia Phillies were able to lure this tall right hander away from a scholarship at North Carolina.  Knapp paid immediate dividends going 3-1 with the Phillies GCL affiliate with a 2.61 ERA and 12 BB/38 K in 31 IP.   Armed with a fastball that sits between 94-97 MPH, Knapp has clean mechanics and a strong, projectible frame that should serve him well as a inning-eating starter.  Scouts rave at his ability to use his leverage to throw the ball on a downhill plane, making his fastball heavier to hit.  While he has a good feel for his offspeed pitches, there is still much room for refining and building arm strength to make them more effective.  Knapp has shown early on that he can locate his fastball as he allowed just 1 HR in the Gulf Coast League last season.  He is not afraid to go after hitters and has a good competitive demeanor on the mound.

2009 Projection: While he performed good enough to earn a full season nod at full season Low-A Lakewood, the World Champs may decide to hold Knapp back at their extended spring training camp to work more on his off speed pitches before sending him to short season Williamsport.  If Knapp earns the nod to full season ball, keep a close eye on his performances.  Knapp is an under the radar pitching prospect that has the body and stuff at a young age to be a frontline starter down the road.

2009 UPDATE:

Despite the two tough luck losses, Knapp has been as dominant as any pitcher in the minor leagues to this point.  In his first outing of the season, Knapp struck out 10 hitters in 5.2 innings allowing just two runs.  His outing on April 21st, though, was truly magnificent as he surrendered just one hit over seven scoreless innings punching out 14 hitters and walking just one.  My earlier projection holds true but now there is reason to believe that Knapp may become a fast track pitcher who jumps to the High-A ranks at some point this season. 

CURRENT EBAY MARKET:

• Knapp has two autographed cards in the 2008 sets.  His Bowman Sterling autos and Donruss Elite Extra autos (#/999) sell for $8-10 each which, surprisingly, is at roughly the same rates that they were going for at the time that these sets were released. 

BUY OR SELL: 

• Duh, BUY!  This guy has the size, stuff, and early performance numbers to rapidly become one of baseball’s top RHP prospects. 

Key Jason Knapp Baseball Cards:

• 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/999
• 2008 Playoff Contenders Auto
• 2008 Bowman Sterling Auto