Max Kranick made his first plea to climb onto the NY Mets Opening Day roster

The New York Mets acquired right-hander Max Kranick via waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 2023-2024 offseason. A former pitching prospect in the Pirates’ system, Kranick had missed most of 2022 and 2023 due to injuries. He returned to action last season, spending most of 2024 at Triple-A Syracuse. Now, Kranick is in camp with the Mets, and his debut was a very promising start to the year.

Kranick pitched two scoreless frames against the Miami Marlins on Sunday, allowing three hits, but struck out one batter. His bottom line isn’t the only promising part of his debut. Kranick came out of the gates throwing hard, averaging 95.9 MPH and topping out at 97.4 MPH. He gained over one whole tick of velo on his four-seamer, as he was sitting 94.8 MPH at Syracuse in 2024.

That’s not the only pitch that gained a noticeable amount of velocity. His slider sat at 85.6 MPH in 2024 but is now up to 88.5 MPH (topped out at 92.4 MPH). Kranick’s curveball also gained over two ticks of velocity, going from 77.7 MPH on average for Syracuse to 79.7 MPH. He is also mixing in a sweeper, which also went from 81.7 MPH to 83.3 MPH.

A strong spring debut for Max Kranick is exactly what he needed

Kranick’s debut was promising, and if he keeps up the velocity gains he displayed in his debut, he could make the Opening Day roster. But what are the chances he does that? For one, Kranick’s Triple-A numbers did not stand out on paper. His 3.57 ERA and 7.7% walk rate were above average, but he gave up a decent amount of home runs with a 1.71 HR/9 with only an 89.7 MPH exit velocity and an 8.7% barrel percentage. He also only had a 20.7% strikeout rate and a 25.5% whiff rate. This led to a 5.41 FIP and 5.16 xFIP.

But this was before Kranick’s improved stuff. Kranick also worked in a swing-man role, making four starts in 41 total appearances at Syracuse, although none of his starts reached four innings. He also made two starts at A-Ball St. Lucie and Double-A Binghamton, but again, none lasted even four innings. But right now, the Mets could definitely use a bullpen arm that could go multiple innings.

Frankie Montas (lat strain) and now Sean Manaea (oblique strain) are both going to open the regular season on the IL. That means that Tylor Megill, Paul Blackburn, and Griffin Canning have all become a lot more important. A spot in the bullpen opens up because of it. This is precisely where Kranick can fill in.

We shall see how the rest of Kranick’s spring training goes. It’s only been one game, albeit a promising one, but the current injuries have potentially opened the door for someone to step up and grab an Opening Day roster spot during camp. Kranick’s improved stuff definitely will make him an interesting arm to watch throughout the rest of spring training and might give him the inside track at an Opening Day roster spot.