The Northern League has announced that Kansas City T-Bones pitcher Ryan Knippschild has been named Pitcher of the Week for the week ending June 28.

Knippschild, 26, allowed just two runs, one earned, on seven hits over seven innings in his only start last week, striking out six in a victory over the Schaumburg Flyers.  The left-hander is currently 2-1 with a 3.07 ERA over 44 innings and seven starts this season.  He is tied for third in the league in ERA.

A product of the University of Kansas, Knippschild was originally selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 35th round of the 2004 amateur draft.  After three years in the Indians system, Knippschild spent the 2007 season in the Texas Rangers organization before playing for the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League last year.  He signed with Kansas City on April 9, 2009.

During his stint in affiliated ball, Knippschild advanced as high as Double-A twice, once each with the Indians and Rangers.