2) Max Kranick
The Mets acquired Max Kranick off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates in January 2024. Kranick barely pitched in 2022 and 2023, tossing just 34.1 innings between the two seasons and undergoing Tommy John surgery in between. Kranick’s Major League career has amounted to just a 5.56 ERA, 4.49 FIP, and 1.65 WHIP in 43.2 innings in 2021 and 2022 for the Pirates (however he did have a memorable debut).
Kranick was healthy enough to return to the mound in 2024 for the Mets. He spent most of his season at Triple-A Syracuse, where he put up a 3.57 ERA and 7.7% walk rate but only struck out 20.4% of opponents with a 1.71 HR/9 across 63 frames. While expectations for Kranick were not exceptionally high heading into camp, he’s completely blown them out of the water.
Kranick has tossed 5.1 scoreless innings, allowing zero walks and striking out six opponents. However, the right-hander’s results are only half of the story. Kranick has gained both velocity and better movement to his four-seamer and has topped out at 97.4 MPH. His sweeper and slider have also graded out as above-average pitches thus far.
It was yet another very encouraging outing from Max Kranick who has made a name for himself this Spring
— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) March 4, 2025
He struck out 3 of the 4 batters he faced as his stuff still continues to look solid. The amount of lift he gets on his sweeper is absurd! pic.twitter.com/iOJcXFuqAn
Injuries to Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea have only opened the door wider for Kranick. The Mets have shown a good amount of confidence in Kranick in the past, even placing him on the team’s Wild Card roster last October. So long as he stays healthy, the 27-year-old will definitely find himself on the Mets’ Opening Day roster. With how good his stuff has looked in spring training, he could be a sleeper 2025 breakout candidate. Like Baty, Kranick also has one option left, so they're likely very pleased with Kranick's development so they can avoid using that final option just yet.