Max Kranick’s outing for the New York Mets on April 1, 2025, against the Miami Marlins was a remarkable display of precision, efficiency, and command. In a relief role, Kranick dominated the opposing lineup, pitching three perfect innings while requiring only 22 pitches to retire all nine batters. His performance underscored not only his control over the strike zone but also the effectiveness of his diverse pitching arsenal.
This came after Kranick made his Mets debut in a leverage situation against the Houston Astros, a spot his manager admitted the team was trying to avoid placing him in so early on.
“We talked about at the beginning of the series trying to find [Kranick] a soft spot,” Mendoza admitted (via New York Post). “And there he was in the eighth inning, down one and facing one of the best hitters in the league [Yordan Alvarez], so he got the job done.”
At the core of Kranick’s success this season has been his four-seam fastball, which consistently reaches the mid-90s with excellent velocity and late life. This pitch served as the backbone of his first two outings, allowing him to challenge hitters both inside and outside the zone.
Making another appearance in New York’s contest against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday, Kranick pitched a scoreless eighth inning.
Max Kranick, a lifelong Mets fan, gets his first strikeout in the Mets' home opener with his family in the stands #Mets #LGM pic.twitter.com/duAfOCxrgd
— Fireside Mets (@firesidemets) April 4, 2025
Complementing his fastball is a sharply breaking slider that shows exceptional late movement, making it a reliable put-away pitch against both right-handed and left-handed batters. Additionally, his changeup has played a crucial role, disrupting the timing of hitters and keeping them off-balance.
Kranick’s journey has been defined by resilience. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023, he transitioned from a starting pitcher to a multi-inning reliever, a change that has enabled him to sharpen his strengths and contribute effectively to the Mets’ bullpen. His performance during spring training gave glimpses of his potential, with a 1.46 ERA and 15 strikeouts across 12.1 innings.
As the season unfolds, Kranick’s command of his pitches, along with his adaptability, positions him as a critical asset for the team. His ability to attack hitters with a refined mix of velocity and movement suggests that he could play a significant role in bolstering the Mets’ pitching depth. With continued development, Kranick’s pitching could prove instrumental in the Mets’ success this year.
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