WATCH: Dodgers pitching prospect Landon Knack surrenders home run against first batter in MLB debut
It was not the way Landon Knack was hoping to kick off his MLB career. The coveted pitching prospect of the Los Angeles Dodgers was called up to make his MLB debut on Wednesday against the Washington Nationals. Although the excitement was certainly there, it did not start the way he had hoped.
Landon Knack was greeted rudely into the MLB by Washington Nationals star CJ Abrams. The budding young infielder gave the Dodgers pitcher a rude awakening to the realities of the MLB, launching a solo home run during the first at-bat of Wednesday's action.
"CJ Abrams leads off the game with a homer for the @Nationals!" - @MLB
Knack has only thrown one pitch to CJ Abrams before the shortstop jumped all over the next pitch in the at-bat. Abrams took the first strike he saw from Knack, sending it over the fence in right field, giving the young pitcher his first taste of major league-level bats.
A 2nd-round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, Knack has slowly worked his way up through the Los Angeles Dodgers minor league system before earning this promotion. The 26-year-old was promoted to the MLB in the wake of an injury to starting pitcher Bobby Miller, which resulted in Miller being placed on the IL.
"Bobby Miller said he’s hoping he can restart a throwing progression this week. Said it was “nothing serious” after undergoing an MRI and it was similar to some of the inflammation he has dealt with in the past." - @FabianArdaya
Landon Knack is the latest of several Dodgers prospects making their MLB debuts
It's been an interesting season so far for the Los Angeles Dodgers. There have been some incredibly high moments so far thanks to the elite production of their superstars Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman. However, there have been a number of low moments, including their inconsistent production from the bottom half of the order and their bullpen.
All of this being said, one of the most interesting parts of the Los Angeles Dodgers season so far is the number of prospects who have made the MLB debuts for the team. The Dodgers have their eyes focused on the 2024 World Series, however, they have also turned to their farm system a number of times.
It has not only been Landon Knack who has made his MLB but Cuban slugger Andy Pages made his MLB debut on Tuesday night. The Dodgers also recalled Ricky Vanasco for his MLB debut as well.