Super 60 Spotlight: Christian Knapczyk

+The Cangelosi Sparks put on a hit parade Saturday, dispatching the Fieldhouse Pirates 15-0 in four innings. SS Christian Knapczyk (Joliet Catholic HS, IL) led the way with four RBIs. He blooped a double into left field in his second at-bat and came around to produce more with a two-run single to left field.

Louisville commit. One of the top infielders in the country, heady player, with plus athleticism, impacts the game in every dimension. The joy he has playing the game jumps off the field, plus teammate and leader. 5-foot-9, 150-pound left-handed-hitting shortstop. Plus defender, highly athletic with instinctual clock and baseball IQ, advanced range and highly athletic on the move, has ability to make the exceptional plays look easy. At the plate has shown increasing pop in the bat, spray-type approach but showed home run pop in game, will win extra base hits with speed and hustle out of the box, dynamic baserunner will challenge the defense. Finished the weekend 5-for-16 with two doubles, a triple, and a home run.

Positional Profile: SS/2B 
Body: 5-foot-9, 150-pounds. Smaller frame, lean and athletic, plus body control.
Defense: True middle infield defender, shortstop profile with leadership qualities on the infield, high athletic with body control and well above average range. Plus actions work through the baseball, high end defender.
Arm: RH. INF - 86 mph. Arm carries, plays athletic out of multiple slots and on the move, quick release, accurate to target.
Hit: LHH. Quiet setup, balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride. Maintains quiet balance through contact. Simple, easy swing, short level path creates line drive contact that sprays to all fields. Excellent hand eye and barrel control.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. 
Run: 6.99 runner in the 60. Athletic gait, quick out of the box.

9.16.18 - Louisville recruit, currently ranked No. 4 in Illinois’ 2020 class, No. 90 overall. 5-foot-9, 150-pound left-handed hitting middle infielder. All-around baseball player, does everything on the field well. Plays with a high-motor with highest-level baseball I.Q. Showed off all his tools during the Sparks’ win over the Nebraska Prospects. Dropped down a bunt single, getting down the line in 3.75 seconds. Also beat out a chopper to the third baseman, 4.09 down the line. Roped a triple to right field, also walked, stole a base. Against Indiana Prospects, drove an outside fastball to the left field corner for a two RBI double, 4.3 on the turn. Defensively, makes every play, ranges exceptionally well to both sides, light on the feet and plays well on the move.  

3.16.18 - Louisville commit. Currently ranked No. 2 in the Illinois’ 2020 class. 5-foot-9, 150 pound, lean, wiry, quick-twitch, left handed hitting infielder. A natural shortstop, started at third base for the Hillmen. At the plate, crouched, open setup, short stride with a smooth load. Advanced approach at the plate, thinks middle, feel for the strike zone. Compact swing, quick bat speed, slight natural lift throughout swing path with fluid rhythm throughout. Laced a hard hit, opposite field RBI double finishing 1-for-2 on the day. Defensively, athletic footwork, clean exchange, quick, clean arm and throws had carry across. No action in this game, but showed energetic leadership qualities, advanced for 2020 classification.

9.15.17 - Louisville recruit, is the youngest player on the Cangelosi Sparks roster at PBR Fall Championship. Knapczyk is a left-handed hitting infielder and led off in both games today. He has keen eye for the strike zone and very rarely chases pitches out of the zone. He see’s a lot of pitches in every at-bat and finished the first game 1-for-2 with three walks. His one hit was a double in the left-center field gap and he had a 4.3 on the turn. He uses a short, quick swing and generates bat speed out of his 5-foot-7, 120-pound frame. Defensively, he plays with energy on the infield. He’s confident with soft hands and his arm plays well across the diamond.

10.30.16 - Verbally committed to Louisville.

7.16.16 - Undersized shortstop. Should be a high follow middle infielder moving forward. Plays the game with energy. Defensively, quick feet, good range and soft hands. Strong arm, flashed carry, plenty strong enough to stick on the left-side of the infield. Offensively, left-handed hitter with quick hands and fluid rhythm throughout. Controls barrel; athletic setup, pre-pitch rhythm. Line-drive single to left field in his last at-bat; 4.62 home-to-first on the turn. Also, aggressive on the bases. Stole two bases and advanced on balls in the dirt.