At what age did you start playing baseball and how did you get into baseball?
I started playing at 4. I got into it because of my dad and they had to put me in tee ball in the next town over because I was too young to play in my own town.
What sport would you play if you did not play baseball and why?
Water Polo, because it was the only other sport I played in high school.
What is one thing that someone wouldn't know about you?
I write country music with my dad.
Who is your biggest role model and why?
I would say my mom. She is a wonderful example of how to live, work and love others.
Who was your favorite baseball player growing up or who is someone that you model your game after?
I try to model my mechanics after Ohtani and Roki Sasaki.
NAME & HOMETOWN PRONUNCIATION
SINGLE-GAME CAREER HIGHS
Innings pitched: 1.0, 8 times
Walks allowed: 2, South Dakota St., Apr 02, 2025 ; at UCF, Apr 05, 2025
Strikeouts: 2, 4 times
Batters faced: 6, at TCU, Apr 11, 2025 ; at Arizona State, Mar 23, 2025
JUNIOR – 2025
Signed a free agent contract with the St. Louis Cardinals in Jan. 2026
Appeared in 16 games out of the bullpen
0-0, 10.97 ERA, 10.2 IP, 11 BB, 12 SO
Recorded at least one strikeout in eight appearances; multiple strikeouts in four
Committed in July 2024
EL CAMINO COLLEGE – 2022
Spent one year in the El Camino program
0-0, 10.80 ERA, 1.2 IP, 2 BB, 3 SO in two appearances
Underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2022
SAN DIEGO – 2020
Spent one year in the San Diego program
Did not appear in a game and redshirted
HIGH SCHOOL
Played four years of baseball at Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach, California
Ranked the No. 29 right-handed pitcher in the state of California, and the No. 89 overall prospect in the state by Perfect Game in 2019
Helped his team become Bay League Champions in 2018 and 2019
Also played two years of water polo
PERSONAL
Son of Rob and Kristi Knowles
Has one younger brother, Dylan
His grandfather, William Knowles, played minor league baseball
His father, Rob, played baseball at San Diego State and in the St. Louis Cardinals organization
His uncle, Brian Addison Sr., played football for the Oilers and Raiders
His cousin, Brian Addison Jr., played football at UCLA
Picked Kansas over Xavier, LA Tech, Long Beach State, Liberty, Fullerton, Cal Baptist
Writes country music with his dad and is a published artist on all streaming platforms under the name Rob E Knowles
Chose Kansas because, “Kansas seemed like the best fit for me.”