FSU baseball coach Link Jarrett knew pitching was an area the Noles needed to improve going into the 2024 season. FSU saw major improvement but dealt with injuries to two starting pitchers and some guys who never made it into the season, which limited the bullpen. The latter was a weakness that showed up time and time again, but it looks like Jarrett is determined to turn that weakness into a strength in 2025. FSU landed its sixth JUCO pitcher commitment from right-handed pitcher Chris Knier on Friday afternoon. Knier comes from Indian River State College, where he made 19 appearances(one start) in 2024. He pitched 63.2 innings, with a 2.12 ERA, two saves, .93 WHIP, 88 strikeouts, and only 14 walks.
The strikeout-to-walks ratio is outstanding and is what FSU missed in its bullpen in 2024. Knier ranks as the No. 24 player among the top 50 JUCO guys eligible for the 2024 MLB Draft.
Knier was the No. 253 overall RHP in the 2023 class according to Perfect Game.
Blessed to announce I will be furthering my athletic and academic education at Florida State University🔴🟡 pic.twitter.com/ZVii39aWMc
— Chris Knier (@Chris_Knier13) June 28, 2024
Chris Knier came out of the pen for Indian River today in their win over Daytona St & was outstanding. Threw 1.1 to close a tight game w 0 R, 0 BB & 2 K.
— Prospect Connect Sports (@PrspCntSports) February 16, 2024
FB was 91-93 + sharp 80-82 BB. Now has 10 scoreless innings w 21 K this season. Very impressive FR at IRSC. @Chris_Knier13 pic.twitter.com/u882Fc07gD
('23,FL) RHP Chris Knier @BaseballJBHS • Ran it to 92🔥today and lived upper 8s. 🔨 CB per usual and tigher BB to add. Went 5.1IP on the 1-hitter w/9Ks and 0 runs. @IRSCAthletics commit. #SpringClassic @PSBaseballinc pic.twitter.com/LERRmhtMQJ
— Austin Legg (@realaustinlegg) March 16, 2023
Knier throws a fastball, curveball, and slider. The fastball looks like it has good life with movement up in the zone. His curveball is nasty, not quite 12-6, but a hammer when he gets on top of it. He can throw it for strikes when he wants.
It's not clear how many of these JUCO guys will forgo their commitment to FSU and sign with an MLB team. We should have a better idea next month, but it appears Link Jarrett is stockpiling arms just in case. Knier is the sixth right-handed pitcher to commit to FSU between JUCO and the transfer portal. FSU will likely return quite a bit from last year's staff, especially its starters. However, if the majority of these transfers arrive in Tallahassee, it could be tough for opposing teams to do much with FSU offensively. Now, FSU needs to find more offense from the portal or JUCO ranks.