Max Kranick – New York Mets Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Max Kranick has quietly earned his spot in the New York Mets bullpen after starting out with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Born July 21, 1997, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, this right-handed pitcher has shown flashes of potential, even after some early bumps in the road. His climb from the minors to a major league roster shows just how much grit it takes to stick around in pro baseball.

Max Kranick makes $771,000 on a one-year deal with the New York Mets, and his net worth sits around $1.6 million. That’s a bump up from his previous $725,000 salary—pretty standard for a player still carving out a role in the big leagues. The Mets picked up his contract from their Triple-A affiliate, the Syracuse Mets, giving him another shot to prove he belongs.

Kranick’s career really highlights what life looks like for most MLB pitchers—not every guy gets a long-term deal or big endorsements. He’s working year-to-year, hoping to lock down his future in baseball. As the 2025 season rolls on, Kranick is trying to cement his place in the Mets’ pitching staff and maybe bump up his market value for the next contract.

Early Life and Education

Kranick’s path to pro baseball started in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He got into the sport early, and those early years definitely shaped his future.

Background and Upbringing

Max Joseph Kranick was born on July 21, 1997 in Scranton. Growing up in northeastern Pennsylvania, he found his love for baseball as a kid. Scranton isn’t exactly a baseball mecca, but community leagues and youth programs gave him the chance to develop his skills.

His family backed him all the way. The tight-knit Scranton community gave Kranick plenty of chances to compete and improve. Local coaches noticed his strong arm and commitment to the game even before high school.

Pennsylvania’s weather made year-round baseball tough, but Kranick squeezed in as much training as he could.

High School and Amateur Career

Kranick went to Valley View High School in Archbald, Pennsylvania, where he quickly became the ace of the baseball team. He showed off great control and velocity, grabbing the attention of college scouts and pro teams.

His high school numbers were impressive—low ERA, lots of strikeouts, and domination over the local competition. That earned him regional honors and made him one of Pennsylvania’s top pitching prospects.

He didn’t just play for his school. Kranick joined showcase events and travel teams, which exposed him to tougher competition. He originally committed to the University of Virginia on a baseball scholarship, so he clearly had brains to go with his arm.

Entry Into Professional Baseball

Kranick’s pro career kicked off when the Pittsburgh Pirates drafted him in the 11th round (345th overall) of the 2016 MLB Draft. Instead of heading to college, he took the Pirates’ offer and jumped straight into professional baseball.

The Pirates gave him a signing bonus well above the usual for an 11th-round pick—they really believed in his upside. That sweetened the deal and made skipping college an easier call.

Kranick started out in the Pirates’ minor league system, working with pro coaches to fine-tune his mechanics and add to his pitch mix. Moving from high school to pro ball was a big leap, both as a player and a person.

Professional Baseball Career

Max Kranick’s time in pro baseball has featured some bright spots and plenty of hard work across a few different organizations. He’s gone from the minors to a memorable MLB debut and bounced between teams since then.

Minor League Development

Kranick’s pro journey began after the Pirates picked him in the 2016 draft. He spent his early years working his way up through their farm system, gradually improving his command and adding new pitches.

In 2017, he put up solid stats at the rookie level, then moved to Single-A in 2018. He kept working on his fastball, which usually sat in the mid-90s, and started mixing in a slider and changeup.

By 2019, he made it to High-A, showing better control and the knack for getting weak contact. The canceled 2020 minor league season put things on hold, but he used that downtime to keep sharpening his mechanics.

Before his MLB call-up, Kranick impressed at Triple-A, catching the eye of the Pirates’ front office with his steady performances.

Major League Debut and Milestones

Kranick made his big league debut on June 27, 2021, for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He threw five perfect innings against the St. Louis Cardinals before rain cut his outing short. That made him the first pitcher in modern MLB history to go perfect through five innings in his debut.

Some early career highlights:

• First Pirates pitcher since 1900 to retire every batter faced in his debut (at least 15 batters)
• Got his first big league win in that same game
• Joined a rare group of pitchers who were perfect through at least five innings in their debut

After that hot start, Kranick ran into some consistency issues, but he still showed glimpses of why scouts liked him. He could locate his fastball and mix his pitches, hinting at his ceiling as a starter.

Teams Played For

Kranick’s career has taken him through a few different organizations, showing his ability to adapt in the ever-changing world of pro baseball. He started with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he broke into the majors.

Later, he moved to the New York Mets, signing a $771,000 contract. Heading to an NL East team gave him a fresh chance to prove himself.

He’s also spent time with other teams as he’s tried to land a permanent spot in a big league rotation or bullpen. Through it all, Kranick has kept his focus on getting better and helping wherever he’s needed.

Every team switch brought new challenges and learning experiences as he adjusted to different coaching styles and philosophies.

Performance Highlights

Kranick has shown he can get weak contact with his four-seam fastball and developing off-speed pitches. His arsenal looks like this:

• Four-seam fastball (93-95 mph)
• Slider (mid-80s)
• Curveball
• A changeup that’s still a work in progress

His debut stands out—five perfect innings on just 50 pitches, working quickly with catcher Jacob Stallings. When he’s at his best, he attacks the zone and keeps hitters off balance.

Kranick has pitched both as a starter and out of the bullpen, shifting his approach based on what the team needs. His contract value has grown from his early deals to his current $725,000 salary, which reflects his development and experience.

He’s battled injuries here and there, but Kranick keeps grinding to stay on the 40-man roster and continue his big league journey.

Contract History and Salary

Max Kranick’s financial story in baseball is pretty typical—steady progress from minor league deals to his current MLB contract with the Mets. His earnings have jumped since making the majors, and his salary now reflects his growing value.

Initial Signing and Bonuses

Kranick started his pro career when the Pirates drafted him. Coming out of Scranton, he signed his first contract with Pittsburgh. Being a later-round pick, he didn’t get a huge signing bonus, which is pretty normal.

Early on, Kranick made the standard minor league salary while working his way through the system. This stretch was key for his development, but the pay was nothing special.

Once he made the Pirates’ 40-man roster, he got a small bump in salary and better benefits compared to most minor leaguers.

Major League Contracts

Kranick’s MLB debut with the Pirates meant a big change in his contract. Getting called up meant he started earning the MLB minimum salary, which is a big jump from the minors.

His most notable contract came when he joined the Mets. Financial records show that he’s making $725,000 per year, which is pretty standard for players with his amount of service time.

Switching teams opened up new chances for Kranick, both for playing time and a bit more financial stability. His latest contract shows the Mets see some potential in him as part of their pitching staff.

Arbitration and Option Years

Kranick hasn’t hit arbitration yet—that usually comes after three years of MLB service. When he gets there, he’ll have his first real shot at a big pay bump.

The Mets have managed his contract with option years, which let them move him between the big league roster and the minors as needed. That affects both his development and his pay.

Option years matter a lot, since they give the team flexibility but also impact how much service time he racks up. It’s a key part of his contract as he moves toward arbitration.

Now that the Mets put Kranick on their Opening Day roster for 2025, his contract situation feels more stable, and he’s got a bit more financial security than when he was bouncing up and down.

Salary Progression

Kranick’s salary has followed the usual path for MLB pitchers—starting at the minor league minimum, now up to $725,000 a year. That’s a big jump from his early pro days.

His net worth is about $1,596,901, which comes from his baseball earnings and maybe a few endorsements or investments.

If he keeps sticking with the Mets, Kranick’s financial outlook could get a lot brighter. Players like him usually see the biggest salary increases during arbitration, which is still ahead.

Key salary milestones for Kranick:

• Minor league starting contracts (Pirates)
• MLB minimum salary after his call-up
• Current $725,000 deal with the Mets
• Arbitration eligibility coming up soon

Net Worth and Financial Insights

Max Kranick has built up some early wealth in his baseball career, mostly through his MLB contracts. Compared to longtime veterans, his financial setup is still pretty simple.

Earnings From Baseball

Kranick’s main income comes from his baseball salary. As of 2025, he’s worth an estimated $1,596,901. His current salary is $771,000 per year with the Mets—a bit higher than his last contract.

Since the Pirates drafted him in the 11th round of the 2016 MLB Draft, his earnings have climbed steadily. His early minor league contracts paid a lot less, but things changed once he made the majors.

Right now, his contract is his first real MLB payday, even if it’s modest compared to the league’s stars. He hasn’t landed any huge multi-year deals yet, but who knows what the future holds?

Endorsements and Sponsorships

Kranick keeps a pretty small endorsement portfolio compared to some of the bigger MLB names out there.

As a developing talent with the Mets, he mostly finds marketing opportunities in the local New York scene instead of on a national scale.

You’ll notice his most visible endorsements come from equipment partnerships. Baseball gear companies pay him modestly to use their products, and sometimes they throw in performance bonuses if he hits certain stats.

He also works with a few local businesses in New York. These deals add a bit to his income, though they usually don’t pay much.

Kranick seems to pick his partnerships carefully—he goes for ones that actually fit his interests instead of grabbing every offer that comes his way.

His social media following is growing, but it hasn’t hit the level where big brands are lining up with major sponsorship deals.

Investments and Assets

Kranick takes a pretty cautious approach to his finances, which is common for players still trying to make their mark in MLB.

He reportedly works with financial advisors who know how to help athletes manage their money during those short career windows.

Real estate looks like his main investment. He hasn’t shared details, but a lot of players at this stage buy practical homes instead of flashy mansions. They want long-term value, not just a status symbol.

He probably puts some of his earnings into retirement accounts and diversified portfolios, following advice from the MLB Players Association’s financial education programs.

Instead of jumping into risky business ventures, Kranick has stuck to baseball and let his wealth grow the slow, steady way. Honestly, that patient style matches how he pitches.

Health and Recent Updates

Max Kranick’s career has taken some tough turns because of health issues in the last couple of seasons.

He’s been working to get back to regular big league play, pushing through major injuries and trying to keep his numbers up.

Injuries and Injured List Stints

Kranick faced his biggest health challenge in May 2022 when he had Tommy John surgery.

That’s a major elbow procedure, and it usually means 12 to 18 months of recovery. He missed all of 2022 and a big chunk of 2023 because of it.

Before that, he’d already spent some time on the Injured List with the Pirates. He dealt with forearm discomfort—sometimes a warning sign for the kind of elbow injury that led to surgery.

By August 2023, Kranick was getting close to a rehab assignment as part of his comeback.

The Mets medical staff managed his return carefully to help him avoid another injury.

Performance Metrics and Analytics

When he’s healthy, Kranick flashes some real potential, but he’s struggled to stay consistent.

His career MLB stats include a 5.56 ERA and 1.65 WHIP over 43.2 innings. There’s definitely room for improvement with his command and effectiveness.

Advanced metrics paint a more complicated picture. His FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) usually comes in lower than his ERA, which suggests he’s had some bad luck with balls in play.

He strikes out hitters at about the league average rate, but his walk rate is higher than you’d like, and that’s caused some trouble on the mound.

His four-seam fastball sits between 93 and 95 mph—so, a bit above average.

Still, the Mets coaching staff has pointed out that his pitch movement and command need more work.

Current Status and Outlook

As of May 2025, Kranick plays for the New York Mets organization. He signed a one-year, $771,000 contract.

The Mets have mostly used him as a relief pitcher, but he can spot-start when needed. That kind of flexibility isn’t easy to find.

After bouncing back from Tommy John surgery, Kranick finally gets to focus on improving his pitching instead of endless rehab. Right now, the Mets see him as a middle relief option, though he could work his way into bigger moments if things break right.

He was born July 21, 1997, in Scranton, PA. At 27, he’s not old by baseball standards, but he’s not a rookie either.

With his major health issues (hopefully) in the rearview, Kranick’s main challenge is finding consistency. If he can do that, maybe he’ll carve out a real spot in the Mets bullpen.