Hunter Cranton Stats & Scouting Report

Top Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High.

Track Record: Cranton rebounded from a disastrous 2023 at Kansas in which he ran up an 8.19 ERA to post a strong season as a redshirt senior reliever in 2024. However, he was not ranked highly on many boards, and his selection in the third round was a money-saver at $50,000 against a slot value of $812,900. Cranton went to Low-A Modesto and struck out 14 batters in 8.1 innings in his pro debut.

Scouting Report: Cranton’s carrying trait is his massive fastball. It sits 96-99 mph but plays up due to its huge vertical ride. His fastball is a true swing-and-miss offering up in the zone versus either side. He pairs it with a hard and short, upper-80s slider that is more effective because it plays off of the big fastball than because of its own shape. Cranton has below-average command and is looking to get his pitches in the zone rather than pitching to specific quadrants. Cranton will probably always carry an elevated walk rate due to his spotty command, stuff that is tough to square up and propensity to pitch up in the zone.

The Future: Cranton projects as a future mid-to-high-leverage reliever, especially if he can add depth to his slider or add a third pitch. He will likely head to High-A in 2025 and has the opportunity to advance quickly should he find success.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70 | Slider: 50 | Control: 40.

Cranton is an older pitcher for the 2024 class but he’s got big arm strength and has finally put things together in his 2024 season for Kansas. He spent two years with Saddleback (Calif.) JC, then made six appearances with San Diego State in 2022 before moving to Kansas for his 2023 and 2024 seasons. After splitting time as a starter and reliever in 2023, Cranton pitched in a full-time bullpen role in 2024 which led to nearly a five mph gain in his fastball velocity. He has pitched with a fastball that sits 97 and touches 100 mph and pairs that with an upper-80s slider. Cranton has some moving parts in his delivery, including an overhead windup and a long and inverted arm stroke, but he’s done a solid job filling the zone with his two-pitch mix and has enough power stuff to intrigue teams on day three or as a money-saving senior target.

Amarillo Sod Poodles placed RHP Hunter Cranton on the 7-day injured list.
Amarillo Sod Poodles placed RHP Hunter Cranton on the 7-day injured list.
Amarillo Sod Poodles activated RHP Hunter Cranton.
RHP Hunter Cranton assigned to Amarillo Sod Poodles.
Arizona Diamondbacks traded 3B Eugenio Suárez to Seattle Mariners for 1B Tyler Locklear, RHP Hunter Cranton and RHP Juan Burgos.
RHP Hunter Cranton assigned to Everett AquaSox from Arkansas Travelers.
Arkansas Travelers sent RHP Hunter Cranton on a rehab assignment to ACL Mariners.
RHP Hunter Cranton assigned to Arkansas Travelers from Modesto Nuts.
Seattle Mariners invited non-roster RHP Hunter Cranton to spring training.
RHP Hunter Cranton assigned to Modesto Nuts.
Seattle Mariners signed RHP Hunter Cranton.
RHP Hunter Cranton assigned to Kansas Jayhawks.