Max Fried, who signed an impressive eight-year, $218 million contract with the New York Yankees, has established himself as a standout ace in the 2025 season. Throughout 19 starts, Fried has showcased his exceptional skills by averaging approximately 6.1 innings per start, boasting a remarkable 2.27 ERA and a 2.98 FIP. His performance has been pivotal for the Yankees, especially in light of injuries sustained by key pitchers Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil during the pre-season.
Since joining the Yankees, Fried has refined his pitching repertoire, making adjustments suited to the new league, environment, and demands of his team. Notably, he has retained his effective slow curve and hard cut-fastball while diversifying his pitch types to adapt to his surroundings. This evolution has culminated in one of the most sophisticated arsenals in Major League Baseball, significantly aided by his elite command.
Fried’s adjustments include the introduction of a true four-seam fastball, which he has differentiated from his traditional cut fastball. Both variations have yielded solid slugging percentages of .265 and .262. Moreover, he has transitioned his two-seam fastball to a heavier sinker, mirroring the throw of fellow pitcher Carlos Rodon, leading to an impressive 69.0% ground-ball rate.
His enhancements extend to his sweeper and curveball, where he has achieved higher spin rates and optimized movement—both pitches demonstrating exceptional CSW% (Called Strikes and Whiffs). His changes have resulted in career-high “Stuff+” ratings across most pitches, with his Location+ scores also at their best since 2022. The Yankees’ focus on maximizing pitch quality has worked to Fried’s advantage.
In terms of results at the game level, Fried remains adept at inducing ideal contact, showing above-average rates of hard-hit balls, ground balls, and barrel rates. However, his pitch usage adjustments have led to a distinctive increase in pop-ups while slightly reducing ground balls, a testament to his evolving approach. Among his offerings, his cutter has been particularly effective this season, yielding a 14-run value that leads all cutters in the league.
Thus far, Fried’s performance has led to an American League-leading 13 quality starts, highlighting his crucial role in a Yankees rotation that demands reliability. As the season progresses, Fried’s continued adaptation and commitment to maintaining his health will determine if his already impressive career takes him further on the path to potential Hall of Fame recognition. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how his dynamic approach unfolds for the remainder of the season.