Landon Knack Focused On Mindset To Control Nerves In MLB Debut

The Los Angeles Dodgers turned to Landon Knack to make his MLB debut against the Washington Nationals with Bobby Miller on the injured list.

Knack, who was a second round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, is the Dodgers’ No. 13 ranked prospect. He opened the season on the Dodgers roster for the Seoul Series, but did not end up pitching in a game.

As he took the mound for the first time, in front of his friends and family, Knack took a moment to reflect, but naturally had some nerves as well, he said via Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times:

“The second I walked out and picked up the ball, I kind of stood on the mound, looked up and it was like, ‘All right, we’re here,’ ” Knack, 26, said. “I definitely had a little bit of nerves going.”

The start wasn’t ideal for Knack as he allowed a leadoff homer to CJ Abrams. That was followed by two more singles, which led to another run on a sacrifice fly.

However, after that first inning, Knack pitched four consecutive scoreless innings as he settled into the outing and controlled his nerves:

“Toward the back end of [the first] inning I started to calm down, and after we got through the first, I got back to doing things normal,” Knack said. “It was more of a mindset. It was kind of slowing things down within myself, making sure to breathe, and after that, everything came out a lot smoother.”

He finished his outing going five innings, allowing two runs on four hits with one walk and four strikeouts. He took the loss as the Dodgers’ offense was shut down by Jake Irvin and the Nationals, but overall, Knack was still happy with his debut, via Doug Padilla of the Southern California News Group:

“Obviously we would have liked a little better start than that,” Knack said. “Kind of didn’t set the tone as great as I would have liked to. Hopefully, moving forward, we set the tone a little better. But definitely, still overall a positive experience.”

Knack may not last very long in the Dodgers’ rotation with Walker Buehler expected back soon, but he made a positive first impression and should receive more opportunities throughout the season.

If the Dodgers decide to officially name a six-man rotation, Knack would seemingly have the inside edge on that spot until Miller returns. However, the club has been hesitant to name a six-man rotation, despite essentially using one with Ryan Yarbrough and bullpen games.

Landon Knack among trio of Dodgers to make MLB debut

Along with Knack, Andy Pages and Ricky Vanasco also made their MLB debut’s against the Nationals. Pages singled in his first at-bat, while Vanasco pitched two shutout innings.