Judge-Fried duo sets rare Yankees feat with MLB awards—fourth sweep, first in April

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Judge and Fried join select Yankees pairs, only four such in pinstripe history, with April award sweep.

The Yankees didn’t merely begin the 2025 campaign on a high note—they etched their names in the franchise record books. Aaron Judge and Max Fried have claimed the American League Player and Pitcher of the Month honors for April, becoming only the fourth pair of Yankees teammates ever to accomplish this dual recognition in the same month.

This achievement underscores not just their individual brilliance, but also highlights their pivotal contributions in propelling the Yankees to their early AL East lead.

Elite company in Yankees lore

According to team archives, the Yankees have witnessed a player-pitcher monthly award sweep on just three previous occasions:

• #1. August 1985: Don Mattingly and Dave Righetti
• #2. May 1998: Bernie Williams and Hideki Irabu
• #3. May 2024: Aaron Judge and Luis Gil
• #4. April 2025: Aaron Judge and Max Fried

Now, April 2025 joins this exclusive club—with Judge capturing consecutive monthly honors while newcomer Fried delivers immediate dividends from the mound.

Judge’s spectacular start

Judge’s April performance ranks among the most explosive season openings in recent baseball memory. The 33-year-old captain produced a staggering .427/.521/.865 slash line, stands second in the major leagues with 10 home runs, and accumulated 32 RBIs. He currently paces all major leaguers in both batting average and on-base percentage.

The defending AL MVP appears determined to retain his crown. Looking fully healthy and locked into his approach, Judge has spearheaded an offense that has carried New York to an 18-13 record entering May.

His April featured numerous multi-hit performances and timely home runs during a stretch where pitchers found few answers against him. Despite drawing intentional walks in crucial situations, Judge has maintained his disciplined approach while delivering consistently in high-leverage moments.

Fried’s immediate impact

Acquired during the past offseason, Max Fried has seamlessly integrated himself into pinstripes during his inaugural month in New York. The former Atlanta ace compiled a perfect 5-0 record with a sparkling 1.19 ERA throughout April, establishing himself as the rotation’s cornerstone while Gerrit Cole continues his rehabilitation.

His ability to dictate game flow has been particularly notable. Fried has worked deep into multiple starts—most impressively shutting down the Tampa Bay Rays on several occasions, including a one-hit masterpiece at Yankee Stadium. He’s shown exceptional control, issuing just eight walks across 37.2 innings while leading the American League in ERA.

Featuring a diverse arsenal highlighted by a biting curveball, sinking fastball with late movement, and a deceptive changeup, Fried has consistently disrupted hitters’ timing. Opposing lineups have struggled to generate solid contact, and remarkably, the Yankees have emerged victorious in all seven of his starts.

Historical significance

What makes April’s dual recognition particularly remarkable is its scarcity. Even within a franchise as storied as the Yankees, elite performers rarely synchronize their peak performances within a single calendar month. Judge and Fried accomplish this feat in their first full month as teammates signals both exceptional talent and perfect timing.

Their excellence has helped stabilize a roster navigating early-season injuries—including to key contributors DJ LeMahieu and Gerrit Cole—without surrendering ground in the competitive AL East. Judge has provided emotional leadership and offensive firepower, while Fried has brought composure and precision to the rotation’s front end.

Building momentum

As the Yankees prepare for the continuation of a crucial homestand, including a three-game series against division rival Tampa Bay, both Judge and Fried remain central to their success. The club aims to build upon its promising start and create distance in a competitive AL East where Boston and Baltimore remain within striking distance.

Fried is slated to take the mound in the series opener against Tampa Bay’s Ryan Pepiot (2-3, 4.24 ERA), while Judge looks to add to his league-leading offensive statistics. With both stars performing at peak levels, the Yankees appear well-positioned to extend their divisional advantage.

For Judge, sustaining this blistering pace represents a significant challenge, but his career trajectory suggests his impact will remain substantial throughout the season. With improved health and lineup protection from Paul Goldschmidt, he has positioned himself for a potential third MVP award.

Fried, meanwhile, has performed precisely as the front office envisioned when signing him. Maintaining his health could place him squarely in the AL Cy Young conversation—and with Cole still working toward his return, Fried’s continued excellence remains essential.

The Yankees‘ April success can be directly attributed to the balance provided by their two standouts. Whether through towering home runs or masterful pitching performances, Judge and Fried have delivered—and in the process, claimed their place in Yankees history.

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