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Matthew Knauer

@matthewk36711 • 5,557 subscribers

Pitching enthusiast || UCLA '29 || @WCCrawdads || Baseball and WWP for @DBSports || Formerly: @theredwoodbark || @matthewknauer21

Shorts

While Luis Arraez boasts a generational contact tool, I find the minuscule strikeout and whiff rates to be indicative of his incredibly stubborn approach. A really talented hitter, but he has over-optimized for contact, well past the point of diminishing returns. A thread 🧵

While Luis Arraez boasts a generational contact tool, I find the minuscule strikeout and whiff rates to be indicative of his incredibly stubborn approach. A really talented hitter, but he has over-optimized for contact, well past the point of diminishing returns. A thread 🧵

80,718 views

Roch Cholowsky did it again, this time the other way with a 108 mph line drive.

Roch Cholowsky did it again, this time the other way with a 108 mph line drive.

14,850 views

In his debut series, Bryce Eldridge launched two towering fly balls (both 105 mph) that couldn't escape Chase Field's cavernous grasps; both would have been home runs at Oracle Park. #SFGiants

In his debut series, Bryce Eldridge launched two towering fly balls (both 105 mph) that couldn't escape Chase Field's cavernous grasps; both would have been home runs at Oracle Park. #SFGiants

24,905 views

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People took offense to it, but I’m firm in my belief that Bailey is the most talented defensive catcher of all time. The position has evolved at an incredibly rapid pace over the past half decade, listen to Mitch Garver talk about it ⬇️. In an era of uber-advanced defensive catchers, Bailey stands out by a country mile. He’s tallied 85 fielding runs since 2023, 2nd place has 52!! He brutally outpaces Molina, Posey, Rodriguez, etc. in DRS and defensive WAR. Watch a game even from the 2010s, and you’ll be appalled by how poorly catchers received the baseball in the past. One knee down has changed the position for the better.

People took offense to it, but I’m firm in my belief that Bailey is the most talented defensive catcher of all time. The position has evolved at an incredibly rapid pace over the past half decade, listen to Mitch Garver talk about it ⬇️. In an era of uber-advanced defensive catchers, Bailey stands out by a country mile. He’s tallied 85 fielding runs since 2023, 2nd place has 52!! He brutally outpaces Molina, Posey, Rodriguez, etc. in DRS and defensive WAR. Watch a game even from the 2010s, and you’ll be appalled by how poorly catchers received the baseball in the past. One knee down has changed the position for the better.

57,201 views • 1 month ago

With the struggles going on at the big league level, let’s instead take a look at my top 15 #SFGiants prospects. The system has taken a big leap in 2025, and San Francisco's top three are as good as any other organization’s best. A (mega) thread 🧵

With the struggles going on at the big league level, let’s instead take a look at my top 15 #SFGiants prospects. The system has taken a big leap in 2025, and San Francisco's top three are as good as any other organization’s best. A (mega) thread 🧵

255,378 views • 10 months ago

A lot has been said about a Tyler Rogers reunion, but Mike Yastrzemski has hardly been mentioned, despite coming off the best half-season at the plate in his career. San Francisco needs a left-handed bat, particularly in right field. The reunion is meant to be. A thread 🧵

A lot has been said about a Tyler Rogers reunion, but Mike Yastrzemski has hardly been mentioned, despite coming off the best half-season at the plate in his career. San Francisco needs a left-handed bat, particularly in right field. The reunion is meant to be. A thread 🧵

101,112 views • 6 months ago

Wilmer Flores has had an illustrious career with the #SFGiants, and fans adore him. But he's showing some immense signs of regression, and once Jerar Encarnación finishes his rehab assignment, he should take the DH role. Let's take a look into Flores' decline: A thread 🧵

Wilmer Flores has had an illustrious career with the #SFGiants, and fans adore him. But he's showing some immense signs of regression, and once Jerar Encarnación finishes his rehab assignment, he should take the DH role. Let's take a look into Flores' decline: A thread 🧵

191,728 views • 1 year ago

Jacob Odle is one of the most underrated pitching prospects in baseball. From a 6'5" frame, he gets down to a 6.2 ft. release and -4.8 VAA thanks to a low arm angle. The four-seam is elite, averaging 97 mph at 17 iVB. The only big league comps are Eury Perez and Garret Crochet. A 14th-round pick in '23, Odle underwent TJ and missed all of '24. He wasn't super sharp in his '25 return (51.2 innings between CPX and A, 28% K and 18% BB), but that's to be expected returning from elbow surgery. The 22-year-old already has incredibly polished stuff, with an 88 mph slider at 5/-4 (42% whiff). He throws a sharp 83 mph curveball at -11/-8 (-9.2 VAA). The changeup also projects as a plus offering, distinct from the four-seam at 4/17 90 mph. The stuff is already Major League plus, but he'll need to be in the strike zone more consistently.

Jacob Odle is one of the most underrated pitching prospects in baseball. From a 6'5" frame, he gets down to a 6.2 ft. release and -4.8 VAA thanks to a low arm angle. The four-seam is elite, averaging 97 mph at 17 iVB. The only big league comps are Eury Perez and Garret Crochet. A 14th-round pick in '23, Odle underwent TJ and missed all of '24. He wasn't super sharp in his '25 return (51.2 innings between CPX and A, 28% K and 18% BB), but that's to be expected returning from elbow surgery. The 22-year-old already has incredibly polished stuff, with an 88 mph slider at 5/-4 (42% whiff). He throws a sharp 83 mph curveball at -11/-8 (-9.2 VAA). The changeup also projects as a plus offering, distinct from the four-seam at 4/17 90 mph. The stuff is already Major League plus, but he'll need to be in the strike zone more consistently.

20,097 views • 1 month ago

In 2025, the Giants’ outfield ranked second-to-last with -15 Fielding Runs. Jung Hoo Lee struggled mightily (-5 Outs Above Average), and he’s a much better fit for right field. If San Francisco considers itself a contender, the outfield has to be addressed. A thread 🧵

In 2025, the Giants’ outfield ranked second-to-last with -15 Fielding Runs. Jung Hoo Lee struggled mightily (-5 Outs Above Average), and he’s a much better fit for right field. If San Francisco considers itself a contender, the outfield has to be addressed. A thread 🧵

71,083 views • 7 months ago

A Roch Cholowsky grand slam puts UCLA ahead 5-0 over TCU in the second inning. A towering shot.

A Roch Cholowsky grand slam puts UCLA ahead 5-0 over TCU in the second inning. A towering shot.

36,504 views • 3 months ago

It’s unprecedented for a superstar, one with well over $200 million left on his deal, to be traded — let alone in the middle of June. But Buster Posey made it happen, acquiring arguably the Giants' best hitter since Barry Bonds: Rafael Devers. A thread

It’s unprecedented for a superstar, one with well over $200 million left on his deal, to be traded — let alone in the middle of June. But Buster Posey made it happen, acquiring arguably the Giants' best hitter since Barry Bonds: Rafael Devers. A thread

61,308 views • 7 months ago

To the surprise of absolutely no one, Patrick Bailey has been a stud behind the plate this year. Here's 74 seconds of him stealing strikes for #sfgiants pitchers.

To the surprise of absolutely no one, Patrick Bailey has been a stud behind the plate this year. Here's 74 seconds of him stealing strikes for #sfgiants pitchers.

66,151 views • 1 year ago

As part of the package for Camilo Doval, the #SFGiants received 23-year-old catcher Jesus Rodriguez — an enigma of sorts — from the #RepBX . He boasts one of the best contact tools in all of the minor leagues, but there are concerns surrounding the power production. A thread 🧵

As part of the package for Camilo Doval, the #SFGiants received 23-year-old catcher Jesus Rodriguez — an enigma of sorts — from the #RepBX . He boasts one of the best contact tools in all of the minor leagues, but there are concerns surrounding the power production. A thread 🧵

50,066 views • 9 months ago

Keaton Winn continues to test the upper bound of single-inning splitter usage, throwing 10/13 last night to strike out the side (full inning ⬇️). The pitch induced five whiffs on six swings and averaged 90.4 mph (career-high). That velocity with a -8.3 VAA is just ridiculous. On 27 splitters (66% usage) this year, he's thrown 19 strikes for 12 swing-and-misses. Just outrageous stuff.

Keaton Winn continues to test the upper bound of single-inning splitter usage, throwing 10/13 last night to strike out the side (full inning ⬇️). The pitch induced five whiffs on six swings and averaged 90.4 mph (career-high). That velocity with a -8.3 VAA is just ridiculous. On 27 splitters (66% usage) this year, he's thrown 19 strikes for 12 swing-and-misses. Just outrageous stuff.

11,834 views • 2 months ago

Mike Yastrzemski was at the forefront of trade talks this offseason, but the #sfgiants are glad they didn’t pull the trigger. At age 34, he looks as good as he has since he received MVP votes in 2020. Is the production legit, or just a facade? Let’s dive in. A thread 🧵

Mike Yastrzemski was at the forefront of trade talks this offseason, but the #sfgiants are glad they didn’t pull the trigger. At age 34, he looks as good as he has since he received MVP votes in 2020. Is the production legit, or just a facade? Let’s dive in. A thread 🧵

36,992 views • 1 year ago

Ironically, Badger State Ball released an interview with Hunter Mense yesterday, filmed before he was hired by the Giants. I was impressed, specifically by the strong communication skills and a great perspective on player development. Below are my favorite quotes. A thread🧵

Ironically, Badger State Ball released an interview with Hunter Mense yesterday, filmed before he was hired by the Giants. I was impressed, specifically by the strong communication skills and a great perspective on player development. Below are my favorite quotes. A thread🧵

13,842 views • 6 months ago

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