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SF Giants Player Review 2026: Somehow, Andrew Knizner returned

He may return again in 2027, too.
ByNick San Miguel
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San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Andrew Knizner (19) before the game against the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Andrew Knizner (19) before the game against the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The SF Giants had to cycle through a number of catchers in 2026 especially after they decided to trade away Patrick Bailey. While Andrew Knizner returning to the team probably wasn’t thought of as a likely move at the start of the year, by the end of the season they really didn’t have any other choice.

Fans of Star Wars likely know the much-derided line from Episode IX when Poe Dameron says, “Somehow, Palpatine returned.” While Knizner’s return was not quite as difficult to reconcile as Palpatine’s after he got thrown down a ventilation shaft and exploded at the end of Episode VI, it was still on the unlikelier side.

But after Bailey got traded the Giants just kept losing catchers. Daniel Susac dealt with injuries and eventually broke his kneecap. Jesus Rodriguez had an elbow issue. Drew Cavanaugh was called up and stayed healthy but the Giants needed someone else to help him carry the load and Knizner became available at the perfect time after he opted out of a minor league deal with the Boston Red Sox.

In 29 games, Knizner hit .219/.288/.356 with two homers and four runs batted in. It wasn’t much different than the .221/.299/.299 slash line with one homer and five runs batted in he put up in 2025 with the Giants.

He split time with Cavanaugh in the final month and a half of the season and actually got more playing time than I thought he would. Maybe that shows the Giants didn’t fully trust Cavanaugh or maybe they just wanted to give his legs a bit of a break.

After the season it was pretty clear that Knizner would be one of the team’s 40-man roster casualties. They decided to put him on waivers and when he went unclaimed San Francisco decided to outright him to Triple-A. He has the choice to elect free agency and chances are he will do that.

Giants may try to bring Knizner back in 2027 as well

A reunion cannot be ruled out though. As our own Jeff Young pointed out, the Giants need to add some catcher depth so if they could bring Knizner back on a minor league deal he could compete for the backup spot in spring training, whenever that may be, and if he doesn’t make the big league roster maybe he’s content to go to Triple-A.

He knows the organization and is familiar with the pitching staff which counts for a lot but journeyman backup catchers like him have a way of bouncing around from team to team so maybe he will explore another opportunity.

Still, Knizner returned once so there is always the chance he could return again. Palpatine might return again, too. Disney might be all out of ideas at this point. 

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