Get To Know: Twins Minor League Catcher Mitchell Kranson

Now that the 2018 Minnesota Twins Prospect Handbook is complete (order paperback or e-book), it’s time to get to know or catch up with some of those prospects.

Today, we get to know Mitchell Kranson. The Twins drafted the catcher from the University of California in Berkeley with their ninth-round draft pick in 2016. He put together a solid first full season. Berkeley has become a team that the Twins draft many players from. They didn’t draft any in 2017, but in addition to Kranson, the Twins took Alex Schick (6th) and Ryan Mason (13th) from Berkeley. In 2015, the Twins took Chris Paul in the sixth round. In 2014, the Twins took Trevor Hildenberger in the 22nd round and then Michael Theofanopoulos in the 30th round.

Kranson spent four years at Cal, and after the draft, he went to Elizabethton for the remainder of the 2016 season. In 2017, he began the year in Cedar Rapids. After helping the Kernels to a first-half playoff berth, he moved up to Ft. Myers for the remainder of the season.

Today, we have the opportunity to get to know a little bit about Mitchell Kranson. Thank you Mitchell!

Seth Stohs (SS): Growing up in California, who were some of your favorite players and teams? Do you follow other professional or college sports teams throughout the offseason?

SS: What was your recruitment as a high school athlete like for you, and what was it about Berkeley that made it the right choice for you?

SS: You played all over the field during your four college seasons. Tell us about your position history there, and do you think that has been beneficial for you as you’ve started your pro career?

SS: What was the highlight (or two) of your time in college at Cal? Any memories that really stand out?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iuc3OpOfQek

SS: What was it like for you leading up to the draft? Were there a lot of scouts, and specifically, did you speak with scouts from the Twins?

SS: The Twins selected you with their ninth-round pick in 2016. Was that about where you were expecting to be selected? What were your initial thoughts when it was the Twins that selected you?

SS: What was the transition to pro baseball like for you, both on and off the field?

SS: Your season has been done for a couple of months now. Have you had a chance to reflect on your season? In doing so, what are your thoughts on your first full season as a professional baseball player?

SS: You were part of a Cedar Rapids team that earned a playoff berth in the first half, and helped the Miracle to the second-half playoff spot. As a player, how do you weigh the idea of winning versus the idea of development and advancement up the organizational ladder?

SS: What was that adjustment like for you from the Midwest League to the Florida State League? Did you notice much difference?

SS: What were your thoughts about playing for Tommy Watkins and Brian Dinkelman, and then Doug Mientkiewicz and Steve Singleton? Maybe some styles are different, but were you able to glean information from each of them?

SS: How would you describe yourself as a player? What are your strengths?

SS: What are the areas of your game that you hope to work on this offseason to improve as you look to 2018?

SS: Have you been able to do to get away from baseball this offseason at all? What do you do outside of baseball for fun?

SS: At what point do you not only start thinking about the 2018 season, but when do your workouts and preparation begin? Do you think you’ll do anything new or different after going through a full season?

SS: Did you learn anything about yourself, or did anything surprise you about working through a full season?

SS: Who are some of the people who have helped you get to this point in your career?

SS: There are probably some high school baseball players reading this. What would one piece of advice be that you would share with them, or share with a 14-year-old Mitchell?

SS: Favorite Baseball Movie?

Thank you very much to Mitchell Kranson for sharing his responses with the Twins Daily readers. Feel free to discuss or ask questions in the comments below.

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