Drew Millas

The Oakland A’s selected Drew Millas in the seventh round of the 2019 MLB Draft. On July 31, 2021, Millas was traded to the Nationals with Richard Guash and Seth Shuman for Yan Gomes and Josh Harrison. In 2022, Drew played for three teams as he began his climb through the Nationals minor league system. He played in Fredericksburg, Wilmington and Harrisburg that season. When Millas made it to AA Harrisburg, his offense stalled as his batting average was 0.211, and he had an OBP of 0.280 in AA ball. Millas started the 2023 season once again in Harrisburg. He played 25 games that year for the Senators, but the Harrisburg fans saw a different ballplayer coming to bat this year. With his newfound confidence and a more disciplined approach to hitting, his batting average exploded to 0.341 and his OBP to 0.455. Millas’s marked improvement got him promoted to AAA Rochester.

The last two seasons, Millas’s defense in Rochester has been spectacular. He’s a pitcher’s best friend in the way he calls a game, his ability to frame pitches, and block pitches in the dirt. He also showed the pitchers if you can hold runners close to a base when they are leading off, he will throw them out if they try to steal a base. The pattern that I have noticed with Millas is that when he receives a promotion, his offensive output declines while he’s adjusting offensively to his new level of play. In 2024, Millas started the season in Rochester.

Just as he did in Harrisburg in his second season, the switch-hitting catcher saw his batting average jump to over 0.300. Millas has over 1,000 at-bats in the minors, and his career batting average in the minors is. 270 with a career OBP of 0.366. In the last two seasons in the majors, Millas has hit 0.259 with an OBP of 0.330.

PREDICTION FOR 2025: I believe that Millas is major-league-ready and, with playing time, will perform well. He struggled mightily this year in Spring Training. That’s why I believe Drew Millas will be sent to Rochester and play every day and wait for another call-up to Washington.

Andrew Knizner

Andrew Knizer signed a minor league deal with the Nationals on January 17, 2025. Knizer will probably be with the Rochester Red Wings this season. He has no options left, which means if the Nationals bring him up to Washington, they will have to put him on waivers if they send him back to AAA. Knizer has five years being the second catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was Yadier Molina’s backup and, in 2022, played in 96 games for the Cardinals while Molina dealt with injuries. In 260 at-bats that season, Knizer hit 0.215 with a 0.301 OBP and had four home runs and 25 RBIs.

In 2023, the Cardinals made him the #1 catcher as the Cardinals moved Wilson Contreras to the DH role. Knizer ended up appearing in 70 games that season and batted 0.241 with 10 home runs and 31 RBIs. He has a career 0.210 MLB batting average.

Knizer’s minor league career batting average is 0.297. After spending time with Yadier Molina for 5 years, Knizer could be the perfect mentor to work with the young Red Wing pitchers. One of his biggest improvements as a catcher is his pitch calling. His receiving is average at best, and his blocking of pitches is an area to improve, according to scouts.

PREDICTION FOR 2025: On the Nationals depth chart of catchers, I would rate Knizer 4th. Andrew Knizer and Drew Millas would make a good catching combo for the Rochester Red Wings. Both of these two have major league experience and could help the young pitching staff reach their potential.

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