Justin Knoedler #60

Justin J. Knoedler...graduated from Springfield (IL) High School...earned all-state honors his senior year...also graduated from Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, IL, earning an associates degree in liberal arts...was named 2000 NCJAA National Player of the Year...was member of NJCAA Division II National Championship squad in 2000....attended University of Miami (Ohio)...twin brother, Jason, played in the Giants and Tigers organizations...both brothers went to Miami of Ohio and Justin was drafted in the fifth round and Jason in the sixth round (by Detroit) of the 2001 First-Year Player Draft...originally drafted by St. Louis in the 41st round of the 1998 Draft and later by San Francisco in the 13th round of the 2000 Draft, but did not sign...signed by Giants scout Steve Arnieri.

2009

Hit a combined .200 (12-for-60) with two homers and five RBI in 17 games for Triple-A New Orleans (Marlins) and Charlotte (White Sox)...Finished the season with Charlotte after signing with Chicago as a minor league free agent on Aug. 17, batting .222 (6-for-27) with a solo home run in eight games...hit .364 (4-for-11) against left-handed pitching...Signed by Florida as a minor league free agent on June 6, batting .182 (6-for-33) with a home run and four RBI in nine games before his July 7 release...Signed by St. Louis as a minor league free agent on Nov. 21, 2008, but released on April 1, 2009.

2006

Spent majority of year at triple-A Fresno, while also logging 5 ML contests... actually opened year at double-A Connecticut, where he hit .211 (15-for-71) with HR and 8 RBI in 21 games...after brief, 2-day recall to SF May 6-7, was optioned to Fresno and spent rest of season as Grizzlies' starting catcher...batted .253 in 71 games overall in Pacific Coast League, but hit .294 (32-for-109) over his final 31 contests...was recalled for 2nd time Sept. 1, and spent remainder of season with Giants...saw limited big league action, going 1-for-7 (.143).

2005

Spent majority of campaign getting 1st seasoning at triple-A level, but logged pair of stints with SF...joined Giants Aug. 2-3, while Mike Matheny was on Bereavement List, then was recalled for good Sept. 2...collected 1st big league hit Sept. 12 vs. San Diego, pinch-single in 8th inning off Padres' Akinori Otsuka...made 1st career start in Oct. 2 season finale vs. Arizona, and caught Brett Tomko's complete-game 6-hitter in SF's 3-1 victory...in fact, Giants hurlers allowed only 2 earned runs in his 15.1 frames behind plate (1.17 ERA)...batted .272 with 19 2Bs, 4 HRs and 32 RBI in 85 games for triple-A Fresno...also saw action in late July at double-A Norwich due to injuries on Eastern League club...went 3-for-10 (.300) in 4 games with Navigators...played for Mesa Solar Sox in Arizona Fall League during off-season.

2004

Spent entire campaign at double-A Norwich before being called up by San Francisco Sept. 6...made Major League debut Oct. 3 at Los Angeles...caught two shutout innings and had one at bat, flying out to deep center...enjoyed highly successful campaign as everyday catcher for Navigators...posted career highs in avg. (.274), games (115), runs (64), hits (112), 2Bs (28), 3Bs (3) and RBI (47)...made only 7 errors behind plate in 102 contests...was named Norwich's Player of Month for Aug.

2003

Logged full season at single-A San Jose, serving as everyday catcher...hit .257 with 48 runs, 25 2Bs, 2 3Bs, 10 HRs, 43 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 101 games for Giants...tied for 2nd on club in HRs, while ranking 4th in 2Bs...posted .989 fielding mark behind plate, making only 9 errors over 98 contests.

2002

Earned South Atlantic League All-Star honors for single-A Hagerstown in 1st year as catcher...hit .257 with 16 2Bs, 2 3Bs, 5 HRs and 33 RBI in 86 outings for Suns.

2001

Embarked on professional career as pitcher for rookie-league Salem-Keizer...worked solely in relief, going 1-1 with save and 1.26 ERA (4er, 28.2ip) in 13 appearances...struck out 38, while walking only 9.