Josh Knoth of Patchogue-Medford drafted by Milwaukee Brewers
Josh Knoth of Patchogue-Medford High School baseball on the High School field, Wednesday, March 22, 2023. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
He was a high school superstar — and now Josh Knoth hopes to be a Milwaukee Brewer.
Knoth, an overpowering righthanded pitcher from Patchogue-Medford High School, was selected 33rd overall by the Brewers in the first round of Major League Baseball’s amateur draft Sunday night on ESPN.
When MLB senior vice president Raul Ibanez made it official, the announcement set off a wild celebration in the Knoth household, where the family held a draft party. Knoth immediately embraced his father, Karl, and his mother, Deb, as his dreams of becoming a professional player were realized.
“Let’s goooooo!” Knoth screamed. “I am so excited. It’s my dream come true. I can’t wait to get to work.”
Patchogue-Medford baseball coach Anthony Frascogna said the house erupted when Knoth’s name was called.
“I really can’t describe how excited I am for Josh,” he said. “It has been the ride of a lifetime with him.”
Knoth earned the 55th Carl Yastrzemski Award this season, presented to Suffolk’s most outstanding player. He became only the third player in county history to win the award twice. East Islip first baseman Ron Witmeyer earned the award in 1984-85 and Shoreham-Wading River pitcher Brian Morrell won it in 2016-17.
Knoth undeniably is one of the greatest pitchers in Long Island high school baseball history. He allowed five hits (all singles), had a school-record 0.17 ERA and struck out a school-record 109 in 41 2⁄3 innings this year.
Knoth threw a perfect game, the second of his career, and struck out 19 batters against Riverhead. He walked 15, pitched four shutouts and had double-digit strikeouts in all seven starts.
Knoth, who finished his career with a 17-3 record, 291 strikeouts and a 0.90 ERA, had accepted a baseball scholarship to play at Ole Miss in the SEC this fall.
“I have a great family foundation and unbelievable support from my parents,” he said. “It all starts with family. And I’ve been working hard with my personal trainer and eating right and just working for this moment.”
Added Frascogna: “We never saw his kind of velocity at 97, 98 miles per hour. And his slider and spin rate were just filthy. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him.”
Gregg Sarra is Newsday's high school sports editor and has been on the beat since the mid-1980s.
