Max Fried reveals 2017 shock story, what’s fueling Yankees stardom

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NEW YORK — The New York Yankees’ $218 million gamble on Max Fried has delivered spectacular dividends. The southpaw has exceeded all expectations in his debut season, establishing himself as one of baseball’s most dominant starters while anchoring a rotation missing its presumed ace.

Through 11 starts, Fried leads the majors with a 1.29 ERA and 0.93 WHIP. His performance has been nothing short of historic, providing crucial stability as Gerrit Cole recovers from Tommy John surgery and the Yankees chase another championship.

From career crossroads to Yankees stardom

Max Fried‘s current brilliance becomes more remarkable when considering his lowest professional moment. During a dismal 2017 Double-A stint, he posted a 5.92 ERA across 86.2 innings and seriously contemplated retirement.

“I don’t know if I’m gonna be cut out for this,” he confided to his father that season, weighing whether to abandon baseball for college. Instead, Fried persevered and earned a surprising MLB promotion later that year — a decision that transformed his trajectory.

“There was definitely a moment where I had a talk with my dad of just being like, “I don’t know if I’m gonna be cut out for this.” I hadn’t made the big leagues, I was getting to be 23, 24, drafted out of high school, no college or anything. So I was like, “This might be a point where I’m not 100 percent sure.” Luckily for me I had a couple of good weeks, I got called up to the big leagues unexpectedly and just kind of put all my eggs in the basket, tried to make it work from there.”

Eight years later, the 31-year-old has found his peak form in the Bronx. His command, composure, and consistency have redefined expectations for the Yankees’ pitching staff.

Historic company in Yankees lore

Fried’s dominant stretch places him among the franchise’s greatest pitching performances. His 1.29 ERA through 11 starts represents the second-lowest mark in Yankees history, trailing only Ron Guidry’s legendary 1.11 ERA start to the 1978 season.

Guidry’s “Louisiana Lightning” campaign concluded with a 25-3 record, Cy Young Award, and World Series championship. No Yankees starter has approached this level of early-season dominance in nearly half a century.

Fried’s achievement extends beyond team history. Since 1969, when the pitching mound was lowered, only two pitchers have reached Memorial Day with an ERA below 1.50, seven-plus wins, and zero losses: Pedro Martinez in 1997 and Fried in 2025.

Cy Young push building up

Fried currently holds the second-best AL Cy Young odds at +350, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. Only Detroit’s Tarik Skubal (+200) ranks higher. However, Fried’s league-leading ERA and flawless execution could quickly shift those odds.

The Yankees desperately needed Fried to excel after Cole’s surgery created a massive void atop the rotation. Their marquee signing has not only filled that role but elevated it beyond anyone’s projections.

However, he is not bothered about the award. According to him:

“It’s important for me just to make sure that when I take the ball, the competitor I am, I just want to be able to take the ball and make sure that our team has the best chance to win. My stats, I try not to really look at them. For me, did we win the game that I pitched? And that’s really all I care about in the moment.”

Surgical precision in every outing

Fried’s latest masterpiece came against Colorado, where he allowed just one run over 7.1 innings. His varied repertoire, deliberate pace, and exceptional pickoff skills — teammates call them “disgusting” — kept Rockies hitters completely off-balance.

He leads all qualified starters in ERA and has permitted two or fewer earned runs in every start this season. This consistency has established a new Yankees standard for reliability.

His fastball velocity sits in the low 90s, but precision and sequencing have overwhelmed opposing lineups. Fried proves that dominance stems from execution rather than pure power.

“Controlled aggression,” he pointed out to define his mound mentality. “I don’t want to be out of control, but it’s important for me to be on the attack and attack hitters in a way that keeps the odds on my side.”

His pickoff move has become appointment viewing, erasing baserunners and stifling potential rallies. Fried’s complete control over all game aspects makes him invaluable.

Stabilizing force for Yankees rotation

Despite Cole’s absence and Marcus Stroman’s struggles, the Yankees maintain exceptional pitching depth. New York’s 3.37 team ERA ranks second in baseball, trailing only Philadelphia.

Fried’s reliability has allowed manager Aaron Boone to confidently deploy younger arms like Clarke Schmidt and Will Warren. They can develop naturally with Fried providing a dependable foundation.

Ryan Yarbrough has emerged as a steady rotation option, while Luis Gil prepares for his July return. Fried hasn’t simply replaced Cole — he’s created his own legacy as the staff’s unquestioned leader.

Contract validation through performance

The Yankees’ eight-year, $218 million commitment to Fried in December 2024 drew mixed reactions. While his Atlanta resume included a brilliant 2.48 ERA in 2022 and consistent playoff appearances, questions remained about his New York adaptation.

Fried has silenced every doubt.

His on-field excellence matches his clubhouse impact. Fried’s calm leadership, professional approach, and work ethic have earned universal respect. He mentors younger pitchers while embodying championship-level expectations.

“Competition,” he explains as his primary motivation. “I’m a very competitive person, whether it’s board games with my family or cards or video games or anything that involves sort of a competition or a testing or challenging mentally, I really enjoy it.”

Fried’s success is reshaping the Yankees’ postseason outlook. The 2025 roster blends veteran leadership with emerging talent, built around pitching excellence rather than offensive firepower alone.

Guidry’s historic 1978 season culminated in both a championship ring and a Cy Young trophy. Martinez’s 1997 dominance launched a Hall of Fame career.

If Fried maintains this trajectory, he could join both legends in baseball history while potentially leading the Yankees back to World Series glory. His performance has already exceeded every expectation — now the question becomes how far this remarkable run can carry both pitcher and team toward October success.

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