Pittsburgh Pirates: Max Kranick Puts Together his Best Triple-A Start

The Pittsburgh Pirates desperately need some of their pitching prospects to take steps forward. This includes a former 11th round pick.

The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted right handed pitcher Max Kranick in the 11th round of the the 2016 Draft.  Kranick was considered a high upside arm that could have gone well before the 11th round. Of course, with certain signing bonus rules, the Pittsburgh Pirates were able to give him the bonus number he was looking to receive.

Kranick was the third notable prep pitcher that the team took in the 2016 Draft class.  He joined a pair of other prep pitchers that were drafted ahead of him.  So far he looks like he could be the best one.  With that being said, Kranick looks the most likely to join the Pittsburgh Pirates rotation. Travis MacGregor, the team’s second round pick, had Tommy-John surgery two years ago and is working at Double-A right now.  Fourth round pick Braeden Ogle has emerged as a likely left-handed bullpen piece and is also in Triple-A.

Max Kranick’s most recent start at Triple-A Indianapolis was his best one so far. The right-handed pitching prospect went five shutout innings, allowing just a single hit.  He did walk three batters, but also struck out nine. This is a great bounceback start after he failed to go at least five in his previous outing while giving up four earned on seven hits with just one strikeout.

Kranick could be in line to take over a rotation spot on the major league team very soon.  Aside from JT Brubaker and Tyler Anderson, Pirates starters have struggled all year.  They recently demoted young right-hander Mitch Keller to figure some things out at Indy.  Chase De Jong has shown some promise, but the mix of Wil Crowe, Trevor Cahill, and Chad Kuhl haven’t turned in good results.  Plus with Miguel Yajure being out for the rest of June, Kranick could get a few starts later in the season