Pittsburgh Pirates: Three Players Who Likely Will Not Survive the Offseason With a 40-Man Roster Spot

Pitcher Max Kranick

At one point, Max Kranick looked like a potential promising pitching prospect for the Pirates. This included Kranick firing 5 perfect innings agaisnt the St. Louis Cardinals in his MLB debut on June 21st, 2021, before a rain delay ended his day.

Kranick went on to pitch 38.2 MLB innings across 9 starts in 2021, struggling to the tune of a 6.28 ERA and a 4.64 FIP. Then in 2022, Kranick pitched 5 scoreless innings in 2 relief appearances for the Pirates. Things then came to a screeching halt for Kranick as the need for Tommy John surgery ended his 2022 season.

Due to his Tommy John surgery, Kranick made just 9 minor league starts in 2023 pitching 20.2 innings. Kranick posted a 4.35 ERA and 4.98 FIP while walking 11.3% of batters faced and striking out 17.5% of opposing batters in his minor league work last season.

Kranick is now 26-years-old. Factor in his injury issues and the questions that may exist about his place with the organization moving forward, and it would not be a surprise to see him get taken off the 40-man roster this offseason.