| W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | SO | WHIP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0 | 6 | 5.90 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 39.2 | 47 | 1.49 |
| Career Minors | 3 | 11 | 4.78 | 26 | 17 | 0 | 98 | 125 | 1.38 |
| G | W-L | ERA | IP | SO | WHIP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 11 | 0-6 | 5.90 | 39.2 | 47 | 1.49 |
| Career Minors | 26 | 3-11 | 4.78 | 98 | 125 | 1.38 |
| Season | Tm | LG | L | W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 Teams | Minors | 3 | 5 | 4.01 | 15 | 10 | 0 | 58.1 | 52 | 31 | 26 | 8 | 24 | 78 | 1.30 | |
| 2023 | Fayetteville Woodpeckers | CAR | A | 2 | 0 | 2.60 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 17.1 | 13 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 24 | 1.15 |
| 2023 | Asheville Tourists | SAL | A+ | 1 | 5 | 4.61 | 11 | 8 | 0 | 41.0 | 39 | 25 | 21 | 8 | 17 | 54 | 1.37 |
| 2024 | Corpus Christi Hooks | TEX | AA | 0 | 6 | 5.90 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 39.2 | 39 | 33 | 26 | 7 | 20 | 47 | 1.49 |
| Corpus Christi Hooks | TEX | AA | 0 | 6 | 5.90 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 39.2 | 39 | 33 | 26 | 7 | 20 | 47 | 1.49 | |
| Asheville Tourists | SAL | A+ | 1 | 5 | 4.61 | 11 | 8 | 0 | 41.0 | 39 | 25 | 21 | 8 | 17 | 54 | 1.37 | |
| Fayetteville Woodpeckers | CAR | A | 2 | 0 | 2.60 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 17.1 | 13 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 24 | 1.15 | |
| Career Minors | 3 Teams | 3 | 11 | 4.78 | 26 | 17 | 0 | 98.0 | 91 | 64 | 52 | 15 | 44 | 125 | 1.38 |
Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55 | Overall: 40
Knorr spent his first three college seasons at Cal State Fullerton, where he threw strikes but got pounded for a 6.45 ERA. He has added velocity and had much more success after transferring to Coastal Carolina, where he gave up two runs or fewer in nine of his 11 regular-season starts before fading a bit in the postseason. He overcame a bout of biceps tendinitis in March to lead the Sun Belt Conference in strikeouts per nine innings (11.2) and K/BB ratio (6.6).
Batters teed off on Knorr's fastball in 2021 when it parked at 90-92 mph, but he has dodged more barrels this spring while operating at 94-96 and topping out at 98. His heater still features only modest armside run, so he must locate it well to be effective. His best secondary offering is an 83-85 mph changeup with some fade and depth that he sells well with fastball arm speed.
Knorr doesn't have as much feel for spin, struggling to land his mid-70s curveball and low-80s slider in the zone. His short arm action provides some deception without compromising his ability to provide strikes. To remain a starter in pro ball, he'll need to improve his fastball command and come up with a more dependable breaking ball.
Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 40
Knorr got knocked around en route to a 6.79 ERA in three years at Cal State Fullerton before transferring to Coastal Carolina and discovering more velocity and success in 2022. He topped the Sun Belt Conference in K/BB ratio (6.6), finished second in strikeout rate (11.2 per nine innings) and worked his way into the third round of the Draft. He fanned 78 in 58 1/3 innings between two Class A levels during his 2023 pro debut but missed the final two months with a shoulder injury.
Knorr's fastball jumped from 90-92 mph in 2021 to 93-96 and topped out at 98 the following spring, albeit with more downhill plane than carry. He has maintained that velocity in pro ball while adding more power to his breaking pitches, a tight mid-80s slider and an upper-70s curveball with more vertical movement. They're both average offerings, as is his low-80s change with fade and depth.
Working exclusively out of the stretch, Knorr features a short arm action that adds deception without detracting from his ability to throw strikes. His control wasn't as sharp in his debut as it was at Coastal Carolina, and he needs to refine his command because his pitches don't have a lot of life. A tough competitor, he could become a back-of-the-rotation starter if he develops a solid second offering and refines his ability to locate his arsenal.
Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55 | Overall: 40
Knorr got rocked for a 6.79 ERA in three seasons at Cal State Fulllerton before transferring to Coastal Carolina and finding more velocity and success in 2022. He led the Sun Belt Conference in K/BB ratio (6.6) and was second in strikeouts per nine innings (11.2) before signing for an under-slot $487,500 in the third round. As they did with all three of the college pitchers they took in the top four rounds last July, the Astros gave him the summer off and will have him make his pro debut in 2023.
Knorr went from pitching with a 90-92 mph fastball with the Titans in 2021 to parking at 93-96 mph and peaking at 98 with the Chanticleers. His heater comes with more downhill plane than life, so he has to rely on his ability to command it well to keep it off barrels. His 83-85 mph changeup with fade and depth is his best secondary pitch, and he adds to its deception by selling it with fastball arm speed.
Though Knorr missed some bats with his breaking pitches in college they were too soft, and the Astros have helped him add more power to what are now a mid-80s slider and an upper-70s curveball. He works exclusively out of the stretch and employs a short arm action that creates deception without detracting him from solid control. If he can continue to pound the zone while developing a more reliable breaking ball, he could fit in the back of a big league rotation.
Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55 | Overall: 40
After getting pounded for a 6.45 ERA in three seasons at Cal State Fullerton, Knorr transferred to Coastal Carolina and enjoyed increased velocity and success in 2022. He overcame a bout with biceps tendinitis in March to lead the Sun Belt Conference in strikeout rate (11.2 per nine innings) and K/BB ratio (6.6). The Astros signed him for an under-slot $487,500 in the third round.
Knorr worked with a 90- to 92-mph fastball in 2021 before operating at 94-96 and topping out at 98 with the Chanticleers. His heater still features only a modicum of armside run, so he has to locate it with precision in order to dodge barrels. His best secondary pitch is an 83- to 85-mph changeup with some fade and depth, and he sells it well with fastball arm speed.
Knorr lacks feels for spin and struggles to land his mid-70s curveball and low-80s slider in the strike zone. His short arm action gives him deception without costing him control. To succeed as a starter in pro ball, he'll need to refine his fastball command and find a reliable breaking ball.
| Team | Date | Transaction |
|---|---|---|
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09/24/2024 | Corpus Christi Hooks activated RHP Michael Knorr from the 7-day injured list. |
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06/25/2024 | Corpus Christi Hooks placed RHP Michael Knorr on the 7-day injured list. |
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04/02/2024 | RHP Michael Knorr assigned to Corpus Christi Hooks from Asheville Tourists. |
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03/07/2024 | Houston Astros Prospects activated RHP Michael Knorr. |
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09/25/2023 | Asheville Tourists activated RHP Michael Knorr from the 7-day injured list. |
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07/19/2023 | Asheville Tourists placed RHP Michael Knorr on the 7-day injured list. |
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05/03/2023 | RHP Michael Knorr assigned to Asheville Tourists from Fayetteville Woodpeckers. |
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05/03/2023 | Asheville Tourists activated RHP Michael Knorr. |
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04/03/2023 | RHP Michael Knorr assigned to Fayetteville Woodpeckers from FCL Astros Blue. |
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08/06/2022 | RHP Michael Knorr assigned to FCL Astros Blue. |
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07/22/2022 | Houston Astros signed RHP Michael Knorr. |
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06/11/2022 | College Workout activated RHP Michael Knorr. |
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06/11/2022 | RHP Michael Knorr assigned to College Workout. |
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02/08/2019 | RHP Michael Knorr assigned to Cal State Fullerton Titans. |
