Story by
The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
BASEBALL: Nationals signing Valley View grad Max Kranick
- Story byThe Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
- BASEBALL: Nationals signing Valley View grad Max Kranick
Max Kranick is on the road back to the major leagues. According to several online reports, the Washington Nationals are signing the Valley View graduate to a contract pending a physical.
Kranick began last season with the New York Mets . The right-handed pitcher appeared in 24 games in relief and had a 3-2 record with a 3.25 earned-run average, just five walks and 25 strikeouts in 37 innings. Then, he went on the injury list in June and had flexor tendon surgery in July, ending his season. He was nontendered by the Mets in November and he became a free agent.
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Less than 10 months after his surgery, Kranick threw at a showcase event for several teams in Philadelphia on April 17. Reportedly, his fastball was around 94-95 mph and the Nationals were impressed enough to offer him a deal.
Washington can use some pitching help. Entering Saturday, the Nationals ranked 29th with a 5.01 team ERA.
It is likely Kranick will need to build up his arm and do a rehab stint in the minor leagues. However, if all goes well, he could appear with the Nationals in the second half of the season.
Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2016 in the 11th round, Kranick made his major-league debut June 27, 2021, against the St. Louis Cardinals . He threw five perfect innings before being removed after a rain delay.
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He underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2022 and spent the next season in the minors working his way back. The Pirates designated him for assignment in January 2024 and he was claimed by the Mets — the team he grew up rooting for — shortly thereafter.
During the 2024 season, Kranick transitioned from a starting pitcher to a reliever at Triple-A Syracuse. He was rewarded for his efforts by the Mets when they added him to their postseason roster for the National League wild-card series against the Milwaukee Brewers and was around the team during the divisional series against the Philadelphia Phillies and the NL Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers .
Following a strong spring training, Kranick made the Mets' Opening Day roster last season.
Royal Black
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Another Valley View graduate, Mason Black , is back in the majors. The Kansas City Royals brought him up from Triple-A Omaha and have been using him out of the bullpen.
Black has not allowed a run in four appearances, giving up seven hits, walking two and striking out five in 4.2 innings. His first game with the Royals was April 19 against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. He gave up three hits and one walk in 1.2 scoreless innings, but recorded strikeouts of Ryan McMahon and Ben Rice . On April 25, he closed out a 12-1 Royals win over the Los Angeles Angels , allowing two hits and striking out two in the ninth inning. His last outing was Wednesday in a 5-2 loss to the Athletics . He pitched the ninth inning, giving up one hit.
Selected in the third round of the 2021 draft by the San Francisco Giants , Black made his major league debut May 6, 2024, in Philadelphia against the Phillies. He has a MLB career record of 1-5 with a 5.80 ERA, 17 walks and 41 strikeouts in 45 innings in 14 games (eight starts). He was acquired by the Royals from San Francisco in a trade for right-handed pitcher Logan Martin in Nov. 11.
Before his call-up, Black appeared in seven games with Omaha and was 2 for 2 in save opportunities with one hold, a 3.86 ERA, six strikeouts and five walks in 11.2 innings.
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Captain Cesarini
Ryan Cesarini is off to a hot start with the Lake County Captains, High-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians . The outfielder and Valley View grad has hit safely in 14 of his 16 games and is batting .286 (18 for 63) with four home runs, six runs, 12 RBIs and three stolen bases.
On Thursday against the Beloit Sky Carp, his three-run home run in the bottom of the third inning put Lake County in front, 4-2. The Captains wound up winning, 5-2. On Friday, he homered again as his solo shot in the bottom of the eighth inning capped a 7-2 Lake County victory.
Retzbach rebound
It has been a slow start to the season for Adam Retzbach with the Chesapeake BaySox, Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles . However, the Lakeland graduate showed signs of turning it around this week.
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Against the Erie Seawolves on Wednesday, he had a two-run double in the top of the fourth inning and a two-run home run in the top of the eighth to help the BaySox win, 11-3. Then Thursday, he had a double in a 7-3 loss.
Retzbach is batting .154 (10 for 65) in 20 games with three doubles, two home runs, 11 RBIs, 14 runs and 14 walks.
Ailing Wall
North Pocono grad Cory Wall started the season with the Rome Emperors, High-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves . He appeared in two games and threw three scoreless and hitless innings with one walk and four strikeouts.
Wall was placed on the 7-day injured list April 14. The next day, he was transferred to the 60-day injured list.
