Former N.J. Player of Year signs MLB contract with one of league’s most storied franchises

Old Tappan alum Alex Kranzler, NJ.coms 2022 Baseball Player of the Year, is officially a pro.

Kranzler signed with the Boston Red Sox, his father, Scott, told NJ.com.

According to Baseball America, the signing bonus was $150,000.

Kranzler was selected in the 17th round (514th overall) out of Vanderbilt.

The 6-foot-3, 219-pound right-handed pitcher had 118 strikeouts in 101 1/3 innings across three seasons with the Commodores.

In 2026, Kranzler went 3-3 with 54 strikeouts.

His best outing came on May 9, on the road, against Missouri.

In that game, Kranzler threw 4 2/3 scoreless relief innings, punching out seven batters.

Kranzler was the first of two Old Tappan graduates taken in the 2026 draft.

Selden Kolkebeck, NJ.coms Pitcher of the Year in 2026, was selected in the 19th round by the Texas Rangers directly out of high school.

Kranzler is the third New Jersey-born player drafted by the Red Sox in the last two years.

In 2025, Boston took infielder Maximus Martin in the 10th round out of Kansas State.

Martin graduated from Moorestown.

The Red Sox also took Jason Gilman last year in the 16th round out of Kean.

Gilman, a left-handed pitcher, went to Old Bridge.