Pittsburgh Pirates 2016 Draft: Max Kranick

Taking a look a the Pittsburgh Pirates 2016 draft picks progress so far. Here we look at Max Kranick, pick number 11.

Max Kranick was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in round number 11 with pick number 345. He comes to Pittsburgh from Valley View High School in Archbald PA. He was rated the number three prospect in Pennsylvania and the number one pitcher at the time of his drafting.

Kranick intended to sign with the University of Virginia. However, for $300,000 the Pirates got him to sign and begin a professional career. He is a right-handed pitcher.

2016

Max Kranick signed on June 28th. Two days later he was assigned to the Gulf Coast League Pirates. For the GCL Bucs Kranick made 9 appearances including six starts. He went 1-2 with a 2.43 ERA, while pitching 33.1 innings. The strike out to walk ratio stands out positively. 21 batters whiffed, while four walked. That’s just under a 7:1 ratio. Though hitters did fairly well against him hitting .246

Also worth noting that the season was cut short due to arm fatigue in extended spring training that caused him to be assigned later in the season.

2017

The 2017 season just started for Max Kranick. He made his first appearance of the year on August 5th for the Gulf Coast League Pirates. The start went four innings and one run was given up on one hit. Kranick also recorded a strikeout and walked one.

Hoping the injuries aren’t going to be a recurring theme. It isn’t helping the development of a future star. While he hasn’t done much there is a lot of potential. Max Kranick ranks 29th on the Pirates top 30 list. Though he needs to keep progressing upward if he plans to stay there.

As far as projects, Kranick ranks as a 45 on a 20-80 scale. His fast ball rates above average at 55.  Scouting reports have his fastball in the upper 80’s and low 90s. Kranick’s athletic ability also seems to be a positive. The right hander is 6’3 175, which if filled out could contribute to a great power arm.  Making just 10 appearances is a very small sample size, but lots of good things have been shown by Kranick.

Next: Bucs Win Third Consecutive Game

I could see him getting an aggressive push to Bradenton next season if the number continue to stay where they are. However, it would be more likely to send him to West Virginia of the South Atlantic League to start next year and look for a mid-season promotion.