Top prospects and depth beat Nats, and a feel-good Mets story...
The Mets defeat the Nationals, 6-3 in Grapefruit League play. Plus, Max Kranick is the kind of feel-good story we can all get behind and root for
Editorial Note: Mets fans, please give a warm welcome to Andrew Steele-Davis, our newest writer over at Just Mets!
What’s up with the Mets? 🍎
The Mets beat the Nationals 6-3 at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on Monday (box)
RHP Max Kranick threw for two perfect innings in his first outing as a Met
OF Trayce Thompson had a day at the plate, finishing 2-for-3 with a grand slam and an RBI single. He was responsible for five of the Mets’ six runs on the day
It was also a good day for a slew of Mets prospects as Luisangel Acuña hit two opposite field singles, Jett Williams scored a run and Tyler Stewart threw two solid innings, allowing a hit and a walk while recording one strikeout
Today’s Game 🗓
Match-up: Mets (2-1) vs. Marlins (1-1)
Where: Clover Park – Port St. Lucie, FL
Starters: LHP A.J. Puk vs RHP Adrian Houser
When: 1:10 PM EST
Where to Watch: SNY
Max Kranick is exactly the type of fun underdog story Mets fans need this spring…✍️
We all love an underdog story.
Rooting for the little guy that has been given literally no shot is all part of the sheer beauty of sports.
It’s what makes being a sports fan so fun.
Be it Rocky Balboa, the 1969 “Miracle” Mets, the 2007 New York Giants, The Miracle On Ice and, more recently, Brock Purdy, there is arguably nothing greater than witnessing a team or an individual scaling the mountaintop and reaching the euphoric peak against all impossible odds.
Could we be witnessing a similar heartwarmingly true underdog story unfolding in Mets camp right before our very eyes?
Maybe… Just maybe.
Okay, so Max Kranick hardly carries the same kind of cachet as the examples listed above, nor is he a remote lock to crack the Opening Day roster. However, there was just something about watching Kranick excel on the mound on Monday that got the juices flowing.
An offseason pickup off waivers after debuting with the Pirates in 2021 before undergoing Tommy John Surgery in the middle of the 2022 season, Kranick threw down the hammer against the Nationals in the battle for the final rotation spot.
Kranick, 26, has made just 11 career appearances in the big leagues with a 5.56 ERA and 4.49 FIP. The right-hander did not appear in the majors last season.
In competition with Tylor Megill, Jose Butto, and Joey Lucchesi, Kranick likely entered his first game as a Met knowing that the odds to beat out all three and make the Opening Day roster were slim at very best. They still are. That didn’t stop the righty from going out and dominating, though. Kranick tossed two perfect innings, striking out two in the process.
In dominating in the fashion he did, albeit over two exhibition innings, not only did Kranick give the front office and the coaching staff some real food for thought when it comes to that final rotation spot, but he also provided Mets fans with a fun storyline to really get behind throughout Spring Training.
Growing up just outside of Scranton, Kranick had Mets season tickets as a kid and used to regularly make the trip across the I-80 to Shea Stadium on Sunday afternoons. Basking in the glow and the pure magic of Shea, the former top prospect grew up idolizing David Wright. He probably even spent many a day and night dreaming of one day putting on that sacred Mets uniform.
Well, that day has now come and Kranick was living out the dreams of Mets fans everywhere as he stepped on the mound on Monday. It is the kind of stuff fit for a Hollywood blockbuster, and a lifelong Mets fans making the Opening Day roster would have executives falling all over themselves to try and snatch up the movie rights.
And, with all the uncertainty surrounding Pete Alonso’s free agency and after seeing Kodai Senga go down hurt early in spring, having the chance to root for one of their own is exactly the kind of fun and feel-good story Mets fans need and deserve right now.
We’re all pulling for you, Max Kranick.
Hot Stove 🔥
The Cardinals signed veteran SS Brandon Crawford as insurance behind top prospect Masyn Winn. The deal is pending a physical (MLB.com)
The Dodgers continued their busy offseason by bringing back fan favorite Kiké Hernández. The veteran utility man signed a one-year, $4 million deal (ESPN)
LA also traded OF Manuel Margot to the Twins in a move that made room for the Hernández signing. Minnesota also received prospect Rayne Doncon. The Dodgers got back shortstop Noah Miller, the No. 23 prospect in the Twins’ farm system (MLB.com)
The transfer of the Baltimore Orioles from current owner John Angelos to new owner David Rubenstein is likely to be completed in April. And maybe in time for Opening Day (The Athletic)
OF/DH Jorge Soler had himself a day in his Giants debut on Monday. The slugger, fresh of signing a three-year, $42 million deal with the club, finished 2-for-2 with an RBI
RHP Matt Barnes is making good progress on a deal with the Nationals (MassLive.com)