Pirates Prospects has learned that right-handed pitching prospect Max Kranick will join the West Virginia Power this weekend and start Saturday’s game.
The 20-year-old Kranick, who the Pirates gave an over-slot bonus to in the 2016 draft, has been pitching between 3-4 innings in starts down at Extended Spring Training and the reports we received have all been strong. We don’t have exact numbers due to the fact that they don’t keep stats, but in the 4-5 game reports we had, he allowed just one total run.
While down at Pirate City, Kranick has been working on his slider that he picked up last year in the Fall Instructional League, to go along with his fastball, curveball and changeup. He has also shown an increase in velocity, sitting 92-94 MPH, topping out at 95 in one of his last outings.
Expect him to see regular innings throughout the end of the year. He missed some time last year due to shoulder tightness, but with regular work in Fall Instructs, he was able to add to his inning total. That should allow him to pitch regularly the rest of the way.
