You said it yourself. Minsc is too far gone mentally. Why bother comparing the two when their circumstances are so different? Minsc also has someone to actually vouch for him, Jaheira, which gives our choice a real incentive. Reminder that Minsc cannot be recruited without her.
There are a lot of things that could be done aside from knocking her out. But people here refuse to see that and continue to whine about the KO option being removed. I'd take a persuasion check any day, or just make it so she's able to flee from the Grove fight. Anything but this.
