Dodgers

Dodgers News: Pair of 2020 Draftees Make Their Professional Debut

Spring Training is a time for veterans to shake off all the rust they gathered from the Winter, while for up and coming young guns, it’s a chance to shine and fight for a roster spot. It’s rare to see a couple of guys get to make their professional baseball debut in Spring Training, but that’s just the case for pitchers Bobby Miller and Landon Knack. 

The pair of right-handers were both drafted in the shortened 2020 MLB Draft.  The Dodgers only had six picks to work with and boy did they make them work. Miller was the Dodgers first pick off of the board at No. 29 and Knack followed as the Dodgers second pick at No. 60 overall. Due to the pandemic suspending all minor league play in 2020, both were unable to get into any meaningful professional games. Since they were both non-roster invitees to Spring Training this year, they were both given the chance to get their feet wet.

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Miller pitched in the fourth inning of Los Angeles’ game against the Cincinnati Reds. The 21-year old started out on a good note by getting the first batter he faced to ground out. He then hit the following man, but quickly made up for it inducing an inning ending double play. 

Knack came out to pitch the seventh for the Dodgers and quickly punched out his first two batters. However, he then started to lose command of his pitches as he walked the next guy up and then served up a two-run home run to Deivy Grullón to tie the game. He then gave up another single to left field before the inning was rolled over due to pitch count. 

While the two will most likely not break camp with the team, they’ll at least get the chance to take what they learn from all the veterans this spring and apply them their development this season. Despite the extensive depth that this organization poses, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them up with the big league club in the future. 

NEXT: Triple-A Season Delayed At Least a Month

Adam Salcido

“That is the way this game is -- you win, you lose, you celebrate and you suffer.” -- Vin Scully
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