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New York Times
07-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
This Week in Mets: Good vibes carrying over in solid start
'You will become way less concerned with what other people think of you when you realize how seldom they do.' — 'Infinite Jest,' David Foster Wallace Six months later, the vibes feel the same at Citi Field. Although momentum in baseball should be as fickle as tomorrow's starting pitcher, the New York Mets have managed to maintain it with their fan base through a difficult playoff loss, through the winter and into a new regular season, as seen in a three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays. Advertisement Sunday's 2-1 victory polished off a sweep that revealed the length of New York's contributor list. The heroes included Hayden Senger, whose leadoff walk in the third sparked New York's two-run inning, and Max Kranick, who got the biggest out of the game with the bases loaded in the fifth. (Kranick replaced David Peterson, who had pitched well before a sudden feeling of nausea struck him in the inning.) Jesse Winker and Huascar Brazobán came through on Saturday. Friday was more of what you'd expect, the offensive attack spearheaded by Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo. They did it in front of the most fans Citi Field has ever drawn through three games: 121,771. That's a stark contrast to last year, when the team set new lows for attendance at the ballpark. The opening series attendance this weekend was more than 25,000 clear of last year. 'The fans really showed up,' said Nimmo, who exhorted the fans to come out more late last season during a pennant race. 'I'm so happy to see that, and I want to see it continue throughout this season. We fed off their enthusiasm.' 'It lived up to the hype,' said reliever A.J. Minter, who visited often with Atlanta earlier in his career. 'It's good to be on this side of the fans now.' The Mets have rewarded that faith early. Throughout this encouraging 6-3 start to the season, the Mets have been carried less by their lineup than by the depth of their bullpen. It tossed 4 1/3 scoreless frames on Sunday, from Kranick through Reed Garrett and AJ Minter — looking his sharpest yet — to Edwin Díaz. That's pretty much been par for the course. The pen averages just under four innings per game with a sparkling 1.29 ERA. 'The numbers speak for themselves,' Nimmo said. 'They've been a huge reason for our success early.' Is that sustainable? Of course not. Is it banked in the standings in a division and a playoff race that may once again come down to the final day? You bet. Advertisement 'At some point, starters will go deeper into games,' manager Carlos Mendoza said. Of course, the last few years have shown the Mets both the benefits and limitations of a good start. A 35-17 start in 2022 wasn't enough to put away Atlanta in the division race. A 22-33 start last season didn't bury them themselves. This is nine games. The Pirates were 7-2 at this point last season. 'It's a long year, man,' Mendoza said. 'We've got to stay the course and stick to our process.' The Mets swept the Blue Jays and have won five of six. They're 6-3. The Marlins were rained out Sunday in Atlanta, where they had split the first two games. Miami is 5-4. The Athletics could not finish off a sweep of the Rockies at Coors Field, dropping the finale Sunday. The A's host the Padres for three games through Wednesday before welcoming the Mets. Philadelphia/Kansas City/Oakland/Sacramento/Las Vegas is 4-6. v. Miami RHP Kodai Senga (0-1, 3.60 ERA) v. TBD* RHP Clay Holmes (0-1, 2.89) v. RHP Connor Gillispie (0-1, 3.60) RHP Tylor Megill (2-0, 0.87) v. RHP Max Meyer (0-1, 3.09) at Sacramento RHP Griffin Canning (0-1, 2.79) v. LHP J.P. Sears (1-1, 3.46) LHP David Peterson (1-0, 2.53) v. RHP Joey Estes RHP Kodai Senga v. RHP Luis Severino (0-1, 3.75) * Sandy Alcántara is heading to the paternity list, so Miami will use a spot starter on Monday. Perhaps you wondered, like I did, why a Mets team that has emphasized playing more of its Saturday games in the afternoon played a Saturday night game on the first weekend of April (when it was 45 degrees outside). Well, once the Mets selected to play their home opener on Friday rather than Thursday, opting to give themselves a day off before the series rather than within it, they needed protection in case that game was rained out (as it had been each of the last two seasons). Had Friday been rained out, the Mets would have scheduled a split day-night doubleheader for Saturday. That way, everyone who paid extra for the home opener would still go to the first home game that day, and everyone who bought tickets to the Saturday game wouldn't have had to change plans. Advertisement Red = 60-day IL Orange = 15-day IL Blue = 10-day IL Triple-A: Syracuse at Lehigh Valley (Philadelphia) Double-A: Binghamton v. Hartford (Colorado) High-A: Brooklyn v. Hudson Valley (New York, AL) Low-A: St. Lucie at Lakeland (Detroit) When I sat down to read 'Infinite Jest' a second time, I told myself that this time, I'd really get into the nitty-gritty of the plot. I wanted to know what actually happened in this book rather than just enjoying everything about the writing. And then I was like 200 pages in and very confused again, so I decided to just enjoy everything about the writing. With 1 1/3 scoreless innings Sunday, Max Kranick extended his season-opening scoreless streak to seven innings, one out behind teammate Huascar Brazobán. The franchise record for scoreless innings to begin a season is 21, and it's held by three pitchers. Two are starters Jerry Koosman (1968) and Tom Seaver (1972). Who is the reliever, who accomplished the feat for a division winner? (I'll reply to the correct answer in the comments.) (Top photo of Juan Soto: Al Bello / Getty Images)
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Max Kranick, a childhood Mets fan, closes out win in Citi Field opener: ‘I'll remember this one forever'
Max Kranick, a childhood Mets fan, closes out win in Citi Field opener: 'I'll remember this one forever' Max Kranick couldn't believe it. After learning last week that he made the Mets' Opening Day roster, the right-handed reliever received a congratulatory text message from David Wright, his favorite player growing up. Advertisement 'I was sitting with [catcher] Hayden Senger on the bus and I just showed him my phone,' Kranick recalled Friday. 'Like, 'Is this real?' It was pretty cool. Really nice of him to send a text and congratulate me. It was a cool moment. Definitely my coolest moment so far.' But that wasn't the only cool moment in store for the 27-year-old. Kranick hails from Jessup, Pa. — about 135 miles from Citi Field — and was raised a Mets fan. His father, John Kranick Sr., used to attend Opening Day at Shea Stadium annually. The Mets began this season in Houston, and then visited Miami, before they returned to Queens for Friday's home opener — a 5-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Advertisement Kranick got the last six outs of Friday's victory, striking out one and allowing only one hit. 'I was looking forward to that moment, for sure,' Kranick said of pitching at Citi Field, 'so [it was] good to get that one out of the way.' Kranick has now hurled 5.2 scoreless innings this season, further fueling what's been a feel-good comeback story. The right-hander made his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021 as a starting pitcher, but Tommy John surgery largely derailed his 2022 and 2023 seasons. The Mets claimed him off waivers before the 2024 season, and he pitched to a 3.82 ERA over 70.2 innings spanning three minor-league levels last year. Advertisement Kranick's season debut on March 29 marked his first MLB appearance in nearly three years. 'He's a great dude,' Mets reliever Reed Garrett said. 'Good dude to hang out with outside the field, even better guy to have on your team. It's been a lot of fun. He's just attacking guys, going right after them, and he's executing his pitches at a really high rate right now.' On Tuesday, Kranick pitched the final three innings of a 4-2 loss in Miami, helping to preserve others in the Mets' bullpen. Kranick, Garrett and A.J. Minter combined to throw 3.2 scoreless innings of relief in Friday's win. 'Kranick continues to do a hell of a job,' manager Carlos Mendoza said after Friday's victory. 'On a day where we needed him to finish that game, he ended up doing that. That goes a long way when you're protecting the bullpen.' Advertisement Adding to Friday's Citi Field debut was that Kranick had 11 guests in attendance. Among them was his father, whom he said had not been to an Opening Day in seven to 10 years. 'Closing the game out was an awesome moment,' Kranick said. 'I'll remember this one forever.'
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Meet the 5 unsung Mets players who have made a good impression this spring
For a New York Mets team expecting to have the parts to contend for a World Series this season, there are not many openings on the their Opening Day roster. Two of the glaring needs with a little more than two weeks to go until the beginning of the Mets' season are backup infield and help in the back of the bullpen. But as manager Carlos Mendoza and president of baseball operations David Stearns will often say, it is going to take a lot more than 26 men to work through the MLB's 162-game marathon. That's where the depth of the team's roster comes into play. And these five unheralded players have presented themselves well through the first month of spring training in the Sunshine State: Position: Relief pitcher The 27-year-old right-hander admitted that initially he was not thrilled to have to make the transition from starting pitcher to bullpen arm but is getting used to the adjustment. It could be his gateway to returning to the major leagues for the first time since 2022. "You have to be ready from pitch one," Kranick said. "In the bullpen, get hot and use some of your best bullets out there to prep and be ready. That was an adjustment early." Kranick, who saw his competition for a starting role sidetracked by a hamstring injury last spring, has turned heads early in spring, with a fastball that sits in the upper-90s. Now viewed as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen, Kranick has tossed seven scoreless innings with eight strikeouts and four hits allowed. Position: Outfielder While there might be a logjam of outfielders on the Mets' major league roster, with Jesse Winker and Starling Marte likely to regularly occupy designated hitter roles, Azocar has been arguably the most productive outfielder, sans Juan Soto, this spring. The 28-year-old Venezuela native, who was claimed off waivers by the Mets last September, is tied for the team lead with 10 spring training games played. Entering Monday night, he's 8-for-21 (.381) with one home run, six RBI, five runs and a stolen base. With the health of both Brandon Nimmo and Starling Marte worth monitoring, Azocar could sneak his way into consideration as a replacement down the line. In 214 major-league games across three seasons with the Padres, Azocar is a lifetime .243 hitter. Position: First baseman Since breaking through into the major leagues as a 30-year-old with the Nationals in 2022, Meneses has seen a somewhat steady decline in his offensive numbers over the last two seasons. His struggles in 2024 — he slashed .231/.291/.302 in 76 games — landed him back in Triple-A Rochester. Meneses has proven that he can have success at the major league level, evidenced by his .930 OPS in 56 games in 2022. He could provide a safety valve behind Alonso at first base or designated hitter. After a late arrival to spring, Meneses is 3-for-9 and highlighted Saturday night's win with a three-run home run and a highlight-reel catch in front of the Mets' dugout. Position: Relief pitcher Gose is an interesting character to keep an eye on. The 34-year-old, who broke into the major leagues as an outfielder, has reinvented himself into a pitcher over the last decade. The southpaw is still looking to make an impression at the major league level despite steady production at the Triple-A level. Last season, Gose recorded a 5-4 record and 3.22 ERA with 10 saves, 10 holds and 59 strikeouts in 44⅔ innings for Triple-A Columbus. The former second-round pick has pitched in 31 major league games across three seasons with a 4.78 lifetime ERA. So far this spring, Gose has tossed four scoreless innings with four strikeouts and a 1.00 WHIP. Position: Relief pitcher If there's one thing that Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns appreciates, it's relievers with some flexibility. The 29-year-old Zuber, who carries one more minor league option, could provide that for the Mets. The righty joined the Mets organization following a trade from the Rays at the trade deadline but never debuted with the team. He struggled for Triple-A Syracuse, allowing 22 earned runs in 16 innings but appears to have gotten back on track this spring. In three appearances, Zuber has tossed 3⅓ scoreless innings, striking out three and surrendering two hits and three walks. Zuber managed to keep the Marlins off the board despite tendering three walks in his spring debut. This article originally appeared on NY Mets: Standout players for team at spring training 2025
New York Times
09-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Max Kranick, surprise of Mets camp, is ‘putting himself in a really good position'
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — New York Mets reliever Max Kranick recently told his agent that he felt confident he could consistently compete in the major leagues at just two points over his career since debuting four years ago. The 27-year-old recalled the first instance, in May 2022, when he threw five scoreless innings for the Pittsburgh Pirates before needing Tommy John surgery. Advertisement The other time? 'I'd say right now,' Kranick said Saturday, one day after throwing another scoreless outing. Kranick continued to impress club officials Friday night as an under-the-radar standout this spring. In his bid for a final Opening Day roster spot, Kranick hit 97.7 mph, the hardest he has thrown in spring training. Other numbers so far appear just as eye-opening: seven innings, four hits, eight strikeouts, no walks, no runs. Kranick holds a minor-league option, which works against his candidacy for the Opening Day roster. Whether he breaks camp with the major-league team or doesn't, club officials say his stuff is real. They like that he can throw multiple innings out of the bullpen. They believe he can help. 'He's been pretty good,' Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Saturday. 'Yesterday was another good outing. He continues to attack the strike zone. The velo is there. His slider is there. And he's on the attack. He's putting himself in a really good position here.' A pair of strikeouts for Max Kranick to end the third and he's pumped — SNY (@SNYtv) March 8, 2025 Kranick's emergence dates back to last August, when he said he started to feel good about his stuff again. But getting there required more than just time. If receiving the news that he needed Tommy John surgery in 2022 registers as the low point of Kranick's career, then getting outrighted off the Mets' 40-man roster last May is a close second. At that point, Kranick had returned from the injured list (hamstring) and posted a 2.57 ERA in two starts and seven innings for Triple-A Syracuse. The surface numbers were fine. But a deeper look revealed a need for improvement. 'It was a big punch in the face and a big ego-check for me,' Kranick said. 'I wasn't very good at the time. I just had to work through a lot of things. Physically, wasn't great. Mentally, it was a disaster.' Advertisement From there, Kranick needed a few weeks before completely buying into making changes. 'I just had to look in the mirror,' Kranick said, 'and say, 'Look, you're just not that good right now, and it's time to get back to work.'' Kranick built a relationship with Mets assistant pitching coordinator Grayson Crawford, who worked as Syracuse's pitching coach last year. Crawford worked with Kranick on throwing a sweeper and adding velocity to his fastball using specific plyometric drills to speed up his arm. Per Kranick's recollection, Crawford told him around last June, 'In four to six weeks, we'll look up, and if the numbers aren't where you want, we will pivot back and adjust. But I think you're going to like where you're at.' Kranick said, 'I really put all my trust in him. Amazing human being who really knows what he's doing on the pitching side.' With each month that passed, Kranick's fastball velocity steadily increased by 1 mph or so. From Aug. 1, Kranick averaged over 96 mph in Syracuse and sometimes hit 98 mph. Previously, his fastball resided in the low-to-mid 90s. Now, he eyes hitting 100 mph — something he has never done before (his hardest is 99.7 mph, which he did twice in 2021 and once in 2022). Last year, Kranick, who grew up in Pennsylvania as a Mets fan, ran out of time before he could help the major-league team. He was a surprise addition to the Mets' Wild Card Series roster but did not pitch. He has not pitched in a major-league game since 2022. Perhaps it's just a matter of time before that changes, considering how Kranick feels these days. 'I'm confident in my stuff,' Kranick said.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Meet the Mets' newest relief pitching weapon
Spring training is all about opportunity, and for several New York Mets pitchers, it's a proving ground to show they belong. The organization has no shortage of resources to help hurlers refine their craft, but Max Kranick isn't just fine-tuning—he's making a statement. Kranick's path hasn't been smooth. After debuting with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021, he saw limited action in 2022 before undergoing Tommy John surgery. The grueling recovery process kept him out for most of 2023, and though he was in the Mets' system last year, he never made it back to the big leagues. Now, healthy and throwing better than ever, he's making his case for a bullpen role in 2024. His performance this spring has been nothing short of dominant. After 5.1 innings, he boasts a flawless ERA, six strikeouts, and—perhaps most impressively—zero walks. His most recent outing on Monday saw him punch out three batters over 1.1 scoreless innings, further solidifying his growing reputation as a potential weapon in the bullpen. What makes Kranick so effective? It starts with his fastball. According to prospect expert Joe DeMayo, Kranick has been sitting at 96 mph and touching 97 with an elite 19″ of induced vertical break (IVB). It is going to be difficult for the Mets to keep Max Kranick off the Opening Day roster 5.1 shutout with 0 walks and 6 strikeouts so far this springTonight he sat 96, touching 97 with 19' of IVB with a sweeper and gyro sliderHe could be a — Joe DeMayo (@PSLToFlushing) March 4, 2025 That IVB essentially means his fastball appears to 'rise' more than hitters expect, making it a nightmare to square up. On top of that, Kranick has added two nasty breaking pitches: a sweeper and a gyro slider. The sweeper moves horizontally, fooling batters who expect more traditional downward break, while the gyro slider mimics a bullet's spiral, staying on a tight plane before darting late. It was yet another very encouraging outing from Max Kranick who has made a name for himself this SpringHe struck out 3 of the 4 batters he faced as his stuff still continues to look solid. The amount of lift he gets on his sweeper is absurd! — Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) March 4, 2025 Together, they give him a dynamic arsenal that could play well in high-leverage situations. The Mets have a deep bullpen, but Kranick's performance is making it harder to leave him off the Opening Day roster. DeMayo put it bluntly: 'It is going to be difficult for the Mets to keep Max Kranick off.' If he keeps dealing like this, the Mets may have no choice but to find him a spot. More must-reads: Mets move forward with plan to increase promising infielder's versatility Mets' young star infielder could win vacant job at second base
