Max Fried and the Yankees seem like a perfect match. The team needed an elite, durable, mentally tough starter. Fried needed a team that could contend annually and provide a stage big enough for his talent
So far, both sides are reaping the rewards. Aaron Boone’s praise isn’t just lip service—it’s grounded in performance, leadership, and results.
As Fried continues his electric start in pinstripes, the rest of the league is on notice: there’s a new ace in the AL, and he’s just getting started.
It’s always interesting when former adversaries become allies. In the case of Paul Goldschmidt and Max Fried, the transition has been seamless thanks to mutual respect and shared goals. Once opponents locked in battle, they now work side by side, each enhancing the other’s legacy.
Their journey is a reminder of how dynamic the world of sports can be—how today’s rival can be tomorrow’s teammate, and how great players find ways to elevate each other.
In Fried’s pitches, Goldschmidt sees the excellence he once feared. In Goldschmidt’s presence, Fried finds a batter who sharpened his edge. Now united, they represent the best of baseball: competition transformed into camaraderie.
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Table of Contents
Max Fried’s Arsenal of Six
When most hitters step into the batter’s box, they’re prepared for two or three strong pitches from a pitcher.1
But Max Fried isn’t most pitchers. According to Goldschmidt, Fried brings six above-average pitches to the mound—two distinct fastballs, a pair of sliders, a devastating curveball, and a deceptive changeup.
What’s more impressive is Fried’s ability to command all six. For hitters, that creates a mental overload: which pitch is coming? Where will it land? How should I react? It’s a constant guessing game with little room for error.
This pitching versatility is one reason Fried was a mainstay in Atlanta’s rotation and a major factor in their postseason success.
It’s also why the Yankees were eager to bring him aboard—a rare combination of pitchability, intelligence, and composure.
The Mental Toll of Facing Fried
Goldschmidt’s comments highlight something deeper than just Fried’s physical tools. He emphasized how mentally draining it was to prepare for and face Fried.
“You never knew how he was going to attack you,” he said, reflecting on the uncertainty and adaptability that made Fried so unique.
In today’s analytics-driven game, hitters often study patterns to anticipate what’s coming. But Fried defies pattern.
One game, he might lean heavily on his curveball; the next, he’ll pound the zone with cutters and sinkers. It keeps hitters off-balance and prevents them from settling into any kind of rhythm.
For a cerebral hitter like Goldschmidt—who studies pitchers closely and prides himself on preparation—Fried’s unpredictability was both fascinating and frustrating.
A Rare Alliance in Pinstripes
Now, in one of baseball’s more unexpected pairings, these two veterans are working together for a common cause.
Both were acquired by the Yankees in a high-profile offseason aimed at revitalizing their World Series hopes. With Aaron Judge anchoring the lineup and Gerrit Cole headlining the rotation, the additions of Goldschmidt and Fried injected even more star power into an already potent roster.
The early returns have been promising. In a recent game, Fried pitched six shutout innings, allowing just one hit.
Goldschmidt backed him up with a three-run home run, his first in weeks. It was a vintage display from both players—one that reminded fans and analysts alike of why the Yankees made such a bold move.
The View From First Base
Now that Goldschmidt no longer has to face Fried, he gets to enjoy his brilliance from a new perspective—first base.
Watching Fried work from behind the infield dirt gives Goldschmidt an even greater appreciation for his former foe’s talent.
He can see the late break on pitches, the discomfort in opposing hitters, and the strategic thinking that goes into each pitch.
There’s also a sense of relief. “It’s nice to know I won’t have to deal with him anymore,” Goldschmidt joked in a clubhouse interview.
But beyond that humor is genuine admiration. As one of the game’s most respected veterans, Goldschmidt knows greatness when he sees it—and Fried, in his eyes, fits the bill.
Max Fried: Building Chemistry On and Off the Field
Transitioning from rivals to teammates requires more than just wearing the same uniform.2
It involves building chemistry, trust, and communication. Fortunately, both players are pros, known for their quiet leadership and strong work ethic. That shared professionalism has made the adjustment seamless.
In spring training, Goldschmidt and Fried spent extra time talking baseball—discussing pitching sequences, hitter tendencies, and mental preparation.
For Goldschmidt, it was a chance to understand the mind of a pitcher who had once puzzled him. For Fried, it was an opportunity to pick the brain of one of the most consistent hitters in the game.
Their conversations, though informal, are already paying dividends. Goldschmidt has shared insights with teammates about what makes Fried’s pitches so effective.
In turn, Fried has used Goldschmidt’s feedback to fine-tune his game. It’s a rare but valuable exchange between pitcher and hitter.
Congratulations to @EncinoLL 2019 Home Run Derby Champion, Luke Jones!!! And thank you so much to Encino Little League and all the participants for the very generous donation! Looking forward to come back and seeing everyone in the offseason pic.twitter.com/igzFvHzlPs
— Max Fried (@MaxFried32) June 12, 2019
Impact on the Yankees’ Season
The Yankees are banking on veterans like Goldschmidt and Fried to deliver when it counts.
The American League is loaded with powerhouses, and New York will need every advantage to navigate a deep postseason run. Having an elite left-handed pitcher and a former MVP-caliber slugger helps.
Goldschmidt, even in the later stages of his career, remains a potent bat. While his home run numbers have dipped this year, his ability to get on base, work counts, and deliver in big moments remains unchanged.
Fried, meanwhile, is as dependable as ever—capable of shutting down any lineup on any given night.
Together, they bring a level of playoff experience and poise that is invaluable for a club trying to win its first World Series since 2009.
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Max Fried’s Bronx Brilliance
A Dominant Start to a New Chapter
When the New York Yankees signed Max Fried to an eight-year deal during the offseason, expectations soared.3
Fried, known for his postseason pedigree and elite command with the Atlanta Braves, was brought in to be a key figure in the Yankees’ rotation. As the season unfolds, it’s clear he’s not only met expectations—he’s exceeded them.
Through his first several starts in pinstripes, Fried is 6-0 with a minuscule 1.01 ERA, and the Yankees haven’t lost a game he’s pitched.
The Boone Seal of Approval
Yankees manager Aaron Boone has seen a lot in his tenure, but Fried’s performance has left a significant impression.
Following a recent outing against the Tampa Bay Rays—a team Fried has now faced twice without surrendering a run—Boone praised not just the results but the manner in which Fried pitches.
“It was just more of what always impresses me,” Boone told reporters via MLB. “The different ways he can beat you… Some innings, he’s ripping off good breaking balls. Others, he’s adding and subtracting on his heater. He’s just so versatile out there.”
Fried’s ability to read batters, make in-game adjustments, and pitch to different styles is what elevates him beyond a standard ace. Boone, a former player himself, knows the rarity of such a skill set, especially in today’s power-pitching-driven game.
Max Fried’s Pitch Arsenal at Work
What separates Fried from many other elite pitchers is his ability to adapt in real time.
Some starters come to the mound with a single game plan and stick to it, win or lose. Fried, however, tailors his approach each inning—sometimes each batter.
In one outing, he may dominate with his fastball command and keep hitters guessing with a well-placed changeup.
In another, his signature curveball—which boasts elite spin rates—can completely neutralize an opposing lineup.
Add in his cutter and slider, and it’s a five-pitch mix that allows him to dictate at-bats on his terms.
His outings against the Rays showcased this perfectly. Early in the game, Fried focused on establishing the inside part of the plate with his fastball. By the middle innings, he leaned more on his off-speed arsenal to induce soft contact. The results? Two starts, zero runs allowed.
A Potential Cy Young Campaign in Motion
As of now, Max Fried sits near the top of the American League Cy Young race with +400 odds, trailing only Garrett Crochet and Tarik Skubal. It’s early in the season, but with Fried’s consistency, poise, and experience, he’s a serious contender.
While win-loss records are no longer the go-to metric for evaluating pitchers, Fried’s 6-0 mark is still symbolic—it shows he gives his team a chance to win every time out.
Pair that with his 1.01 ERA and elite WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched), and he’s compiling a Cy Young-worthy résumé one start at a time.
What makes his campaign even more impressive is that many pundits thought it would take time for him to adjust to the AL East—a division notorious for its powerful lineups and high-pressure matchups. Instead, he’s been dominant from day one.
Max Fried: Dominating the Division
The American League East is traditionally one of the toughest divisions in baseball. With powerful lineups like those of the Blue Jays, Orioles, and Rays, opposing pitchers often struggle to maintain consistency. Not Fried.
Through his first several starts, Fried has not only held his own—he’s dominated. He’s already made multiple starts within the division and has shut down opposing bats with relative ease.
His two starts against the Rays have been especially notable: zero runs allowed, high strikeout totals, and minimal hard contact.
Pitching effectively against division rivals is a key ingredient for both personal accolades and team success. With Fried controlling those games, the Yankees are not only gaining wins but also setting the tone for season-long dominance.
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Advanced Metrics Tell the Story
While traditional stats like ERA and wins paint a favorable picture, advanced analytics further illustrate just how elite Fried has been.
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FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching): Fried’s FIP mirrors his ERA, indicating his success isn’t fluky or overly reliant on defense.
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Hard Hit Rate: Among the lowest in the league, showing hitters are struggling to make quality contact.
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Barrel Percentage: His ability to avoid barrels—a key indicator of power potential—has been elite.
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First-Pitch Strike Rate: He’s getting ahead early in counts, setting himself up to finish hitters efficiently.
These underlying numbers back up the eye test and suggest that Fried’s early dominance is sustainable across a full season.
A Rotation Transformed
Fried’s arrival has done more than just add an ace—it’s transformed the Yankees’ rotation. His presence allows other starters like Carlos Rodón, Nestor Cortes, and Clarke Schmidt to slot into roles better suited to their skill sets.
The depth and balance Fried brings to the rotation cannot be overstated.
Even with Gerrit Cole sidelined, the Yankees’ rotation has thrived, largely because Fried has filled the leadership and performance void. When Cole returns, the combination of the two could lead the Yankees deep into October.
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