Scouting Report
Updated May 20, 2026
Max Kranick, 28-year-old RHP, officially signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Washington Nationals on May 6, 2026, with a club option for 2027. He was immediately placed on the 15-day injured list while recovering from flexor tendon surgery performed in summer 2025. Kranick recently showcased a fastball sitting 94-95 mph, demonstrating his arm strength is returning. The Nationals signed him to bolster their bullpen depth. Kranick has a history of elbow issues, including Tommy John surgery in 2022. In 2025 with the Mets, he posted a 3.65 ERA with 25 strikeouts and just 5 walks in 37.0 innings across 24 relief appearances.
Strengths
- + Solid 2025 season with Mets (3.65 ERA, 1.054 WHIP)
- + Excellent walk rate (5 walks in 37 innings)
- + Fastball velocity returning to 94-95 mph range
- + Reliable reliever with 3.21 ERA as a reliever at MLB level
- + Low-cost, low-risk signing for Nationals
- + Club option provides flexibility for 2027
Weaknesses
- - Currently on 15-day IL recovering from flexor tendon surgery
- - History of serious elbow injuries (Tommy John in 2022)
- - Limited strikeout stuff (25 K in 37 IP in 2025)
- - Unclear timeline for return to game action
- - Non-tendered by Mets despite decent 2025 performance
- - Career 4.69 ERA in 35 MLB games suggests inconsistency
Injury Status: IL-15
About
Max Kranick is a rp for the Chicago Cubs.
Player Overview
RP
Chicago Cubs