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College  | Story  | 11/3/2022

The PG Path: Malakhi Knight

Craig Cozart     
Photo: Malakhi Knight (Perfect Game)
Perfect Game's Craig Cozart recently caught up with UCLA's Malakhi Knight to talk to him about life as a Bruin and his path to getting to where he is in his career.

PG: What is your first memory involving the game of baseball?
Knight: When I was playing t-ball and my dad, Ryan Knight, was coaching the team was my first memory. Playing with no worries so to speak, just playing the game to have fun and being out there spending time with my dad. I always appreciated the fact that my father got to coach me until I was about 13 years old.



How did you first fall in love with the game of baseball?
Knight: Baseball is different every day and there are so many things that can happen during a game. I really like the fact that it’s a team sport but it’s also kind of an individual sport at the same time. Being in the batter’s box and it’s you against the pitcher, to me that’s a pure form of competition. Yet, the series of individual performances determines the result that you get as a team.

Who were the most influential people in your baseball career as you were growing up?
Knight: Definitely my dad, he played some growing up, but he was the one who introduced me to the game. Also, my first select team coach, Ernie Brown, with the Marysville Mustangs made a big impact on my career.

When did you start playing travel ball and what organization did you play with for most of your career?
Knight: I started taking it more seriously when I was about 11 or 12 years old, and I started playing with the Rijo Athletics. This was an organization about 30 minutes from where I grew up and we had a lot of talent on that team. Later in my career, I started playing with the Canes and I finished my high school career with them.

What other sports did you play growing up and do you think it’s important for young athletes not to specialize too soon?
Knight: I played both basketball and football growing up. I stopped playing football when I got to high school because I knew my talent in baseball was taking me to the next level. But I did keep playing basketball throughout my high school years. I do think it is important to play multiple sports if possible because it just helps you maintain your overall athleticism.

You grew up in Washington state, as a baseball player was that challenging and how did you manage to develop your game despite the weather?

Knight: It was challenging due to the difficult weather we get, especially later in the year. But I was fortunate to have had a nice indoor space that I could get my work done. When I was younger, I was still playing infield, so this place had a full indoor infield, and I was able to get my reps. The thing about living in northern climates was that we always felt it made us tougher and less vulnerable to difficult weather that usually shows up in February when we open the college season.

When you hear the words, Perfect Game Baseball, what is the first thing that comes to mind?
Knight: Memories, I made so many memories over the years and developed lifelong friendships with great players from across the nation.

How old were you when you played in your first Perfect Game event and where did it take place?
Knight: My first PG event would have been with an organization called P & W Baseball out of Arizona when I was about 13 years old. I had such a great time and was able to see the quality of baseball around the nation, that is what inspired me to be serious about the game.

What is your all-time favorite PG venue and why?
Knight: I have to go with the All-American game. That was an experience that I’ll never forget, being able to hang out with the best players in the nation was one of the highlights of my career to this point. We played that game in Oklahoma City, it was a great venue and an unforgettable experience.

Do you feel like Perfect Game as organization had an impact on your career, your opportunity to be recruited and be considered for the MLB Draft?
Knight: Being from Washington, Perfect Game definitely gave me a platform to get myself out there and gain exposure. You know that players from California, Texas and Florida have longer seasons and more opportunity to be seen, so putting together the events that PG does set the stage for me to me recruited and scouted.

Being a Perfect Game All-American, what does that mean to you to this day?
Knight: Oh yes, I think it will always hold a special place in my heart to know that I was the type of player to be a part of that talented group. Only 40 players get this chance in a given year and if you look at MLB rosters there are a lot of former PG All-Americans represented.

You were both heavily recruited and could have signed professionally out of high school. So, what advice would you have for younger players when it comes to the recruiting process and weighing the option between college and the MLB Draft?
Knight: It’s so different for each player, so you must know your values and figure out what fits you. For me, I knew college was the path I needed to take, and we had such a talented recruiting class I knew we were going to do special things at UCLA. To me, having the opportunity to compete and get to Omaha with the chance to win a National Championship was an experience I couldn’t pass on.

You withdrew your name from the MLB Amateur Draft your senior year in high school. What was the process and reasoning behind that decision?
Knight: Again, my recruiting class was so talented, and we all talked about what we could accomplish at UCLA. Plus, I knew that I would be draft eligible after my junior year and my development both mentally and physically here on campus would get me more prepared to take on the challenge of professional baseball.

What is your favorite MLB team and why?
Knight: I’m an Angels fan and I love to watch Mike Trout play the game. I think he’s one of the best players our game has ever seen.

Who do you try to model your game after in the MLB?
Knight: I think that Mookie Betts and I have similar games and I try to model the way I play after him. He can do a little bit of everything, he has speed, he has power, he can really defend and has a great arm. So, I pride myself in being a well-rounded player.

What do you think the game of baseball could do to attract the next generation of players?
Knight: Kids nowadays are into the swag type stuff, they like players that have a certain flare or personality to their game. Juan Soto plays with a certain attitude and if we can find a way to let individual personalities be more apparent, it will attract the younger crowd. Times change, interests change, and you can still respect the traditions and history of the game without being stoic on the field.

You play collegiately at UCLA; what made you decide to be a Bruin?
Knight: If you look at the history of the program and the players this place has produced, it’s apparent. Coach Savage has a great resume and has proven he’s one of the best coaches in the country. So, for me, it was a no-brainer to come here when I was offered the opportunity.

What is the best part about being a member of the UCLA Baseball Team and how have you grown as an individual?
Knight: College wasn’t what I was expecting, the closeness of our team and the camaraderie that we share is way better than I had anticipated. I had talked to some professional players back in high school and they told me how it was much more about yourself and what you could do to move up the line. Here at UCLA, we all have a common goal, and we work every day as a group to achieve the things we want to accomplish. It’s an empowering feeling to have your brothers right there by your side and knowing they are as invested in your success as you are yourself. Individually I have learned to really push myself and find that extra gear to earn my place on the field or in the lineup.

UCLA is one of the most decorated and tradition-rich programs in all of college baseball; Jackie Robinson wore the same uniform. What is your favorite part or what is the most meaningful part for you being able to put on that uniform?
Knight: We talk about Jackie Robinson almost every day and reflect on what he stood for in society and what he did for the game of baseball. The impact he had will never be eclipsed, so we are humbled and it’s an incredible feeling to be able to wear the same uniform he did back in the day.

The game is very analytics-driven these days. What are the metrics that you find most interesting and helpful for you individually and how do you apply them to your craft?
Knight: For me personally, I think there are a lot of analytics that can cause you to chase the wrong thing as a player if you don’t have a strong understanding of your game. I trust my coaches to give me the information that I might need to refine my game. The one thing I do like to focus on is strike zone discipline and get feedback on the pitches I’m swinging at. I like to know the pitches I handle the best and square up with the most frequency.

You are a physical specimen at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds and super athletic. What unique drill, routine or exercise do you do to develop your game? What is your favorite lift in the weight room and what would you tell young players is the most important lift for a baseball player specifically?
Knight: I have different drills and exercises that I incorporate for defense and offense, and it all depends on what I am trying to refine at that particular moment. My favorite lift is the dead lift, it requires efficient movement patterns and benefits basically the entire body. As a baseball player, I recommend that younger players focus on symmetry and take care of the shoulder complex since we are overhead throwing athletes. Do arm care, I think that is undervalued at a young age.

What has been the biggest challenge in your career thus far and what could young players learn from your experience?
Knight: My biggest challenge is what I’m going through right now. I am trying to come back from an injury that I was told would only take a few weeks to come back from, but it’s been a struggle for over six months now. So, if you are going through a difficult time or are injured, your outlook and maintaining a positive attitude makes a huge difference. It’s natural to look at the finish line but if you can focus on short-term goals, literally day-to-day, you will reach your goals before you know it.

We live in a world where social media is prevalent. Do you spend much time on social media? If so, what is your favorite platform and what do you like to post?
Knight: I spend a good amount of time on social media, but I really don’t post that much. I like to just sit back and look at what other people are saying because it can be really entertaining. If I do post, I usually just post things that are baseball related on Instagram. I do use Twitter and Instagram the most but lately I have been watching TikTok. It is kind of addicting, I’m not going to lie, but it’s funny to watch what other people post.

Most baseball players are very routine-oriented and have superstitions. Do you have any interesting routines, go-to pregame meals or superstitions you would be willing to share?
Knight: I am superstitious! When I am getting ready to go to the plate to hit, I always make sure I put on my left batting glove, my right batting glove, and then my helmet in that order. It can’t be in any other order. I used to always be sure I had a Snickers bar before the game, but now that we have pregame and postgame meals and snacks available, I just eat what’s provided.

Last question here, now that you have had a wide array of baseball experiences, what do you know now that you wish you would have known back when you were a younger player?
Knight: I think playing your given sport for the joy of competition instead of worrying about getting exposure and being recruited is a big thing. I got caught up in worrying about that process and I put too much pressure on myself sometimes. So, I think if you can learn to go out and play the game and rid yourself of worry or anxiety, your performance will improve rapidly. There is always going to be opportunities out there no matter how “late” you may be in the process. Don’t compare your situation to others, just focus on what you can control, and things will work out as they are supposed to.

. . .

We hope you enjoyed getting to know Malakhi Knight a little better and were able to gain some valuable insight and perspective from our conversation. Be on the lookout for the next installment of The PG Path coming soon!
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