Rick Kranitz just completed his first season as Orioles pitching coach. The 60-year-old was the Florida Marlins’ pitching coach in 2006 and 2007. He was named the Major League Coach of the Year by Baseball America following the 2006 season, when the Marlins became the first team in history to have four rookies with at least 10 wins.
Kranitz worked with Orioles manager Dave Trembley in the Chicago Cubs organization from 1994 to 2002. Kranitz went 37-39 with a 3.98 ERA in seven minor league seasons as a player from 1979 to1985.
How much improvement did you see in pitchers who used the video system regularly?
If they didn’t use what was available, then they made a big mistake, because it is top of the line. You can pull things up on every hitter. You can pull things up on yourself. You can watch any situation that you need to watch. It’s the best I’ve ever seen. It’s outstanding.
When I was in Florida, we didn’t use this system, we’d get games on video tape, discs or CDs, and run through them as I needed to. Now, I can look back to April, and put them on the same screen as September. It’s invaluable.
What was the system you used with the Florida Marlins?
I got a disc, and I’d use it in my computer. Now, I can use the whole system on my computer, and dig out anything I need to dig out. It gives you everything, including stats. It’s wonderful.
Is it possible for a player to use the system too much?
I think so. Mechanics are tricky. You can find anything in mechanics, and you can look and see something you don’t really need to be concerned with as far as the delivery goes.
It can be a little tricky at times. You have to know what you’re in there looking for. That’s my job, to get them looking at the right stuff.
What’s the future of the video system?
It would be great to see [minor league] guys who come up, and watch them pitch. You can look at their deliveries. That could be a lot of help, absolutely.
