Robert Cranz Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Robert Thomas Cranz
Born 05/28/2003 in Keller, TX
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Wichita State
Drafted in the 7th round (200th overall) by the Washington Nationals in 2024 (signed for $190,000).

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Cranz is a 6-foot-3, 207-pound righthanded reliever who posted a 1.63 ERA with 59 strikeouts to just 12 walks in 49.2 innings. Cranz features a dynamic one-two punch in the form of a low-to-mid-90s fastball that averaged almost 22 inches of ride and a sharp mid-80s slider that routinely flashed two-plane break and generated a 49% miss rate. He could move quickly in a bullpen role thanks to his loud two-pitch mix and solid control.

Top Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 45/Very High.

Track Record: Cranz posted a 1.63 ERA in 30 relief appearances for Oklahoma State in 2024. He held batters to a .139 average and struck out 59 to just 12 walks. The Nationals drafted him in the seventh round in 2024 and quickly got him into game action. He joined Low-A Fredericksburg as the team pushed towards a Carolina League championship. In six innings, he allowed just two hits and struck out seven.

Scouting Report: Cranz has a high-spin, high-carry fastball with very good characteristics. The righty saw a velocity jump in 2024, adding nearly 3 mph on his fastball. It currently sits around 93 mph and topped out at 96 with nearly 21 inches of ride. He pairs that with a mid-80s gyro slider. Cranz is working on developing both a curveball and changeup. His curve is slow but he locates it very well, especially against lefthanded hitters. He only flashed a changeup a few times during his limited action after signing.

The Future: The Nationals believe that Cranz could work toward a starting role, especially if he is able to fully develop his four-pitch mix. They will assess making that change in spring training. Likely a future reliever, Cranz could move very quickly through the system.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 55.

Cranz is a 6-foot-3, 207-pound righthanded reliever who posted a 1.63 ERA with 59 strikeouts to just 12 walks in 49.2 innings. Cranz features a dynamic one-two punch in the form of a low-to-mid-90s fastball that averaged almost 22 inches of ride and a sharp mid-80s slider that routinely flashed two-plane break and generated a 49% miss rate. He could move quickly in a bullpen role thanks to his loud two-pitch mix and solid control.

Wilmington Blue Rocks transferred RHP Robert Cranz from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
Wilmington Blue Rocks transferred RHP Robert Cranz from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
Wilmington Blue Rocks placed RHP Robert Cranz on the 7-day injured list.
RHP Robert Cranz assigned to Wilmington Blue Rocks from Fredericksburg Nationals.
RHP Robert Cranz assigned to Washington Nationals.
RHP Robert Cranz assigned to Fredericksburg Nationals.
Washington Nationals signed RHP Robert Cranz.