After Years of Trying, Max Kranick Getting First MLB Shot
A key to having a successful organization is having plenty of depth to dig into throughout the season. So far in 2021, the Pittsburgh Pirates have used nine different starting pitchers, and will once again be dipping into that depth on Sunday. With 20 games in 21 days before the all-star break, the Pirates have decided to call up right-handed pitcher Max Kranick to make Sunday's start. Kranick will be the 10th different starting pitcher used by the Pirates this season and has made a fast ascent through the Minor League system this year. He started out in Double-A, made four Triple-A starts, and is now ready to break through for a spot start at the Big League level. 2021 was Kranick's first season making the 40-man roster, and with him being available for Sunday, the ease of his move made it a no-brainer.
After being promoted from Double-A to Triple-A on May 31st, Kranick made four starts in Indianapolis. In those four starts, Kranick pitched to a 1-2 record with a 4.66 ERA in 19.1 innings of work. However, it hasn't always been an easy road through the Minor Leagues for Kranick. He was drafted in the 11th round of the 2016 MLB Draft and started his pro career that season. After a strong start, injuries to his throwing arm forced him to spend some time on the Injured List over each of the last three seasons. It took a lot of hard work in 2020, but Kranick is back and now ready to shine on the big stage. Today, we look at what adjustments he has made and how his season has gone so far in Double and Triple-A.
Changes Lead To Success
After a strong start to his pro career, Kranick ran into some bumps in the road. During the 2016 season, he went 1-2 with a 2.43 ERA in 33.1 innings of work and followed that up with a strong start to 2017. In his first five starts of the season, he had a 1.11 ERA in 24.1 innings of work but started feeling discomfort in his right elbow. He would end up being shut down for the rest of the season and finished the year on the IL. He had two more stints on the IL in the next two seasons as he continued to deal with elbow issues. However, the Pirates saw potential there and ended up promoting him to the alternate training site.
It was here where he met pitching coach Joel Hanrahan, who attacked Kranick's problem head-on. What he found was that Kranick's long arm motion was causing him discomfort, and affecting him on the mound. It was an adjustment that took a while, but Kranick shortened his arm movement and felt better than ever. Once Minor League Baseball returned in 2021, Kranick was sent to Double-A Altoona to try out his new arm motion. The results immediately started to show as Kranick went 1-0 with a 4.02 ERA over his first 15.2 innings of work. His control was his biggest improvement, as he walked just two of the 62 batters he faced while striking out 16 batters.
When the Pirates had to recall Wil Crowe to the starting rotation, it was Kranick who benefitted in the Minor Leagues with a promotion to Triple-A. It was a little bit of a quick move, but with Kranick on the 40-man roster already, it allowed the Pirates to later have a move available where they don't have to DFA anyone. Kranick ended up making four starts for Triple-A Indianapolis and went 1-2 with a 4.66 ERA over 19.1 innings of work. He hasn't had quite as dominant control as he did in Double-A, but Kranick's walk rate was still a solid 8.3%. He was also able to keep his strong strikeout numbers with 20 K's in 19.1 innings, while opponents are hitting .263 against him. I don't think this promotion is a long-term thing, but it is a move that gives Kranick a taste of Big League action while showing him what he needs to work on moving forward.
Kranick's Future
Kranick is a guy that General Manager Ben Cherington has had his eye on since he took over in November 2019. He moved him to the Pirates alternate site last season to try and help him with his arm troubles. Kranick was able to impress with his stuff, so much so that Cherington moved him to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. At 23-years-old, he has one of the most live arms in the Pirates system with his fastball sitting consistently in the mid-90s. However, Kranick has to show that he can survive a full season without arm troubles. So far, the new arm action has worked for the left-hander and is helping his stuff become that much more effective.
His main pitch is his high-powered fastball, which consistently sits at around 94-96 miles per hour. It's not just the speed that makes it effective, but his ability to pinpoint it on the corners of the plate. A 96 mile per hour fastball right down the middle is one thing, but a 96 mile per hour fastball on the inside corner is a whole different animal. You have to get the head of the bat close to your body very quickly, and often times hitters just end up rolling over on the pitch. As far as secondary pitches go, Kranick features a change-up and a 12-6 curveball that he has been working on since the Pirates signed him. Both pitches offer great movement, in contrast to his straight speed curveball.
While this call to the Majors is more than likely just a one-time deal, it gives Kranick a chance to get his feet wet at the Major League level. He is going against a team that is struggling right now but historically has been one of the better teams in baseball. We saw Kranick a little bit against Big League competition in Spring Training, where he went 1-0 with a 4.91 ERA in three relief appearances. After limiting his innings over the last several seasons, Kranick is back under a full workload in 2021, going 5.0 innings or more in all but one start. If Kranick can give the Pirates five innings and allow three runs or less, it will be a good day for the Pirate's young starter.
The Pittsburgh Pirates (28-47) are looking for the series win this afternoon when they take on the St. Louis Cardinals (37-40) at 2:15 pm. Max Kranick (0-0, -.--) gets the call for his Major League Debut for the Pirates as he faces Johan Oviedo (0-3, 4.62) for the Cardinals. You can watch the game live on AT&T Sportsnet or listen on 93.7 The Fan.
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