NEW YORK — Max Fried has consistently demonstrated precision and control on the mound, and his impact has only grown with the Yankees in 2025. Following the loss of Gerrit Cole to Tommy John surgery and Luis Gil’s lat strain, the Yankees faced uncertainty about their pitching depth before the season. Despite these setbacks, New York currently leads the American League East, with Fried’s pitching evolution playing a significant role in their success.
As of his latest start against the Royals, where Fried allowed just two runs, the left-hander boasts a 1.84 ERA along with an impressive 0.93 WHIP over 14 starts, marking him as a strong Cy Young contender in the AL.
Fried’s pitching adjustments revive his dominance
Fried’s success is not sudden; his career trajectory dates back eight years with the Atlanta Braves before joining the Yankees. However, his approach on the mound has evolved, fine-tuning his repertoire to stay ahead of hitters. Early in his career, Fried extensively relied on his four-seam fastball, using it over half the time through 2019. That percentage declined to around 30% between 2022 and 2024 but has rebounded to nearly 40% during this season.
This resurgence in fastball use has proven effective, with opposing batters managing just a .149 average against it. Fried’s ability to vary speed and location of his fastball keeps hitters constantly off balance. Yankee star Aaron Judge highlighted this versatility, saying,
“It makes it tough in the league, especially now where baseball’s at, where people love their offspeed pitches,”
—Aaron Judge, Yankee superstar
Judge added,
“Especially for me, being in the box where you’re trying to be offensive and on the attack and you have a guy on the mound attacking you with every single pitch. It just makes for a tough day.”
—Aaron Judge, Yankee superstar
Fried himself credits a feel-based approach combined with strategic game plans for this pitching mix, stressing that it’s about adapting to each game’s demands rather than following a fixed script.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised Fried’s mastery of pace and speed variation, noting,
“I love watching him pitch with it,”
—Aaron Boone, Yankees manager
“There’s a big variation with it. You’ll see sometimes 90 [miles per hour] at the lowest and up to 97-98 when he really steps on one. So, he’s a master of changing speeds with really all of his pitches, and it’s something that really serves him well.”
—Aaron Boone, Yankees manager
Incorporation of the sweeper adds a new challenge for hitters
Traditionally, Fried relied heavily on a vertical pitching strategy, pairing his fastball with a curveball to disrupt hitters’ timing. However, the addition of a sweeping pitch has complicated hitters’ timing and eye level.
Fried explained how the sweeper complements his curveball, stating,
“The [sweeper] has anywhere from 15 to 20 inches of horizontal break, and then my curveballs got anywhere from 15 to 20 inches of vertical break,”
—Max Fried, pitcher
“So, just trying to disguise each one and make it a little bit harder for a hitter to see it.”
—Max Fried, pitcher
This movement variation disrupts hitter expectations, contributing to Fried’s remarkable run this season that has captured widespread attention.
Yankees prepare for critical series with Red Sox amid strong pitching showing
The Yankees are set to face the Boston Red Sox in a three-game series starting Friday, a matchup carrying significance for AL East standings. Boston manager Alex Cora acknowledged the strength of New York’s pitching staff, which ranks fifth in the American League with a starters‘ ERA of 3.66. Cora credited the pitching efforts and also recognized Aaron Judge’s contributions, saying,
“They still pitch. That’s why they are where they are.”
Meanwhile, the Red Sox continue to adjust their pitching staff after parting ways with assistant pitching coach Dave Bush following the 2023 season. Bush, who now works with the Texas Rangers, helped shape a staff that currently ranks third in MLB with a 3.05 ERA from its starters. The Red Sox, under newly appointed leaders Craig Breslow and Andrew Bailey, have struggled comparatively, sitting 24th with a 4.50 ERA for starters.
Unfolding stories and recent developments in MLB pitching and player dynamics
Boston rookie Hunter Dobbins recently made headlines after telling the Boston Herald he would prefer retiring over playing for the Yankees. The story gained additional attention when the New York Post questioned the truthfulness of claims concerning Dobbins’ father’s involvement with the Yankees. Dobbins himself declined to verify those details, stating he would never “fact check his dad.”
On the player talent front, Fernando Tatis Jr. has drawn comparisons to NBA star Ja Morant, both noted for their exceptional skills and off-field controversies. Tatis, who faced suspension for performance-enhancing drugs, has posted a batting line of .259/.342/.454 with 13 home runs this season – solid but underwhelming relative to expectations for a player of his caliber.
The Toronto Blue Jays have recently demonstrated a turnaround, clinching 13 wins in their last 16 contests to reassert themselves as playoff contenders, shedding skepticism after years of near misses.
In San Francisco, Giants third baseman Matt Chapman suffered sprained ligaments after a hand injury during a game against the Braves. Though sidelined, Chapman aims to return before the All-Star break. Under new baseball operations president Buster Posey, who emphasizes traditional scouting, the Giants appear to be finding their stride.
The significance of Fried’s pitching evolution for the Yankees’ future
Max Fried’s refined mix of fastballs and sweepers not only enhances his personal performance but significantly boosts the Yankees’ rotation depth during a critical period marked by injuries. His ability to execute pitches at varying speeds and locations makes him a formidable opponent and provides the team with a dependable ace following the loss of Gerrit Cole.
With the Yankees positioned at the top of the AL East and on track to contend deep into the season, Fried’s continued development will be vital in shaping New York’s playoff aspirations and could elevate him into elite company as a Cy Young Award contender. As the team heads into key divisional matchups, Fried’s evolving role underscores the importance of adaptability and precision in modern pitching.