Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45

In 2009, Patchogue-Medford High School on Long Island, N.Y, produced a solid -- albeit undersized -- right-handed pitching prospect. He went on to Duke University and became a first-round pick of the Blue Jays three years later before developing into All-Star Marcus Stroman. There’s been only one other draftee from the school since then, in 2013, but as the weather warmed up in the Northeast, Knoth -- himself a slightly undersized righty -- looked like a good bet to break the schneid.

While Knoth is only 6-foot-1, he’s strong and athletic, reminding some evaluators of a young Lance McCullers with the way the ball comes out of his hand. He has a very quick arm with a fastball that has been clocked up to 96 mph, a tick up from last year, though it’s flat at times and can get hit. The real separator right now, though, is his absolutely nasty breaking ball. It’s a power curve that routinely tops 3,100 rpm and produces elite-level spin rates. He’ll flash a changeup at times, but it’s not a real weapon right now as his fastball-curve have been more than enough against high school competition.

Knoth tends to find the strike zone more often than not and should have average command and control in the future. There is some effort in the delivery, and that, along with him not showing any real changeup lately, does give him a little reliever risk. His strong outings this spring were bringing decision-makers in to see whether he was worth drafting early enough to sign him away from his Ole Miss commitment.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45

Knoth hails from Patchogue-Medford HS on Long Island, N.Y. -- the same program that produced Marcus Stroman before he headed to Duke -- and the similarly undersized right-hander did enough to seize scouts’ attentions despite hailing from a cold-weather state. The Brewers made him the first player selected directly from his school since 2013 when they took him 33rd overall in July and signed him for a below-slot $2 million bonus.

Strong for his 6-foot-1 frame, Knoth gained some velocity in his senior spring and was touching the upper 90s, though he was typically a few ticks below that. The real eye-opener was his feel for spin. His 77-80 mph curveball was easily the best in his Draft class -- high school or college -- because of its 3,000+ rpm spin rates and sharp downward action. He also showed a low-80s slider with similar dizzying spin and more two-plane break, though the pair of breaking balls can bleed into one another. Knoth’s changeup was needed much in school and could be a focus in the pros.

Knoth has a solid history of finding the strike zone with a repeatable delivery, and his ability to get chase outside of the zone with his breaking pitches should help hold walks relatively at bay. Having only turned 18 in August, he’s very much a lump of clay who could be molded into a reliever if the changeup never comes around or a high-end starter if the stuff takes off further.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45

In 2009, Patchogue-Medford High School on Long Island, N.Y, produced a solid albeit undersized right-handed pitching prospect who went on to Duke University and became a first-round pick of the Blue Jays three years later, eventually developing into All-Star Marcus Stroman. This year, when the Brewers took Knoth 33rd overall, he became the first player from that school to be selected since 2013, and he signed for below slot at $2 million.

While Knoth is only 6-foot-1, he’s strong and athletic, reminding some evaluators of a young Lance McCullers with the way the ball comes out of his hand. He has a very quick arm with a fastball that has been clocked up to 96 mph, a tick up from last year, though it’s flat at times and can get hit. The real separator right now, though, is his absolutely nasty breaking ball. It’s a power curve that routinely tops 3,100 rpm and produces elite-level spin rates. He’ll flash a changeup at times, but it’s not a real weapon right now as his fastball-curve have been more than enough against high school competition.

Knoth tends to find the strike zone more often than not and should have average command and control in the future. There is some effort in the delivery, and that, along with him not showing any real changeup, does give him a little reliever risk. His strong outings this spring were bringing decision-makers in to see whether he was worth drafting early enough to sign him away from his Ole Miss commitment, and those starts certainly won over the Brewers.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	09/13/2024	Carolina Mudcats activated RHP Josh Knoth from the 7-day injured list.
	08/27/2024	Carolina Mudcats placed RHP Josh Knoth on the 7-day injured list.
	08/27/2024	Carolina Mudcats placed RHP Josh Knoth on the 7-day injured list.
	04/01/2024	RHP Josh Knoth assigned to Carolina Mudcats from ACL Brewers.
	03/07/2024	Milwaukee Brewers Prospects activated RHP Josh Knoth.
	08/10/2023	RHP Josh Knoth roster status changed by ACL Brewers.
	07/17/2023	RHP Josh Knoth assigned to Milwaukee Brewers.
	06/15/2023	RHP Josh Knoth assigned to College Workout.
	07/01/2022	High School Workout activated RHP Josh Knoth.
	07/01/2022	RHP Josh Knoth assigned to High School Workout.
	07/01/2022	High School Workout activated RHP Josh Knoth.
	07/01/2022	High School Workout activated RHP Josh Knoth.