ST. LOUIS -- According to DK Pittsburgh Sports sources, right-hander Max Kranick will make his major-league debut Sunday for the Pirates against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
Kranick, 23, made four starts with Class AAA Indianapolis after a late May promotion. He held a 4.66 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings at the minors' highest level. MLB Pipeline ranks him as the 26th best prospect in the Pirates' system.
Here's what you need to know about the right-hander:
• Kranick, a native of Scranton, Pa., was taken in the 11th round of the 2016 draft. While he posted strong results in the lower levels of the system, a nagging shoulder injury caused issues.
Throwing off a homemade pitching mound in his backyard this offseason, Kranick began throwing with a new motion behind the tutelage of former major-leaguer Victor Black. While doing so, his fastball saw an uptick in velocity and it took pressure off his shoulder.
The Pirates invited him to the alternate site in Altoona, Pa. last year, and after a strong showing, they added him to the roster this winter.
I chronicled Kranick's journey and reworked mechanics in a feature this offseason.
• After sitting in the lower to mid-90s throughout his first several years in professional ball, Kranick has seen his velocity jump to the upper-90s more consistently, maxing out at 99 mph. I've been told he's maxed out at over 2,500 RPM of spin on the fastball too, which is rare air for any pitcher.
He also mixes in a curve, slider and changeup.
• Kranick started the season in Altoona, where he allowed seven runs over three starts and 15 2/3 innings.
He has struck out 36 batters over 35 minor-league innings this year while walking nine.
• The Pirates are concluding the first half of the season with 20 games in 20 days before the All-Star break. Derek Shelton and Ben Cherington have been open that they would probably call to Indianapolis for a spot starter, or starters, to get through this stretch and keep their rotation rested.
"I think we're open to everything, just to make sure that we monitor our volume," Shelton said during this series against the Cardinals. "We have the flexibility."
They had done this previously with Miguel Yajure and Cody Ponce, optioning both pitchers back to Indianapolis shortly after.
