The latest MLB top 10 pitchers’ ranking fails to include the name of Yankees ace Max Fried despite his stellar show in April.
In yet another controversial twist that’s ignited the New York Yankees fanbase, Major League Baseball has once again found itself under scrutiny for perceived favoritism. They earlier snubbed Aaron Judge by placing him behind Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr. among the top bats in the American League.
This time, the outcry centers around Max Fried, the Yankees’ $218 million ace, who was glaringly omitted from MLB’s latest Pitcher Power Rankings. Fans are calling it more than an oversight—they see it as clear-cut discrimination against one of the league’s top-performing pitchers.
The controversy over pitcher rankings
The MLB Pitcher Power Rankings recently crowned Pittsburgh Pirates rookie Paul Skenes as the top arm in the game. Other notable names included Garrett Crochet (Red Sox), Logan Webb (Giants), Tarik Skubal (Tigers), Hunter Greene (Reds), Hunter Brown (Astros), Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Dodgers), Nick Pivetta (Padres), Logan Gilbert (Mariners), and Cole Ragans (Royals). But nowhere on the list was Yankees ace Max Fried, despite an undefeated record and dominating statistics.
For Yankees fans, this was the last straw. With Fried boasting a pristine 4-0 record, an ERA of 1.42, and 30 strikeouts, his absence from the rankings has been labeled not just a mistake, but a blatant snub. Especially when compared to Skenes, who has a 2-2 record and a 2.87 ERA—respectable, but not quite on Fried’s level.
Fried’s dominance vs. Skenes’ hype
Max Fried nearly etched his name in history books on April 20, when he came just short of a no-hitter against the Tampa Bay Rays. He threw 7.2 scoreless innings, and one of the two hits allowed was the result of a controversial decision. It was a performance worthy of headlines, yet it didn’t seem to sway MLB’s ranking panel.
Meanwhile, Paul Skenes, the young phenom, has dazzled with his velocity and raw potential. But his starts, mostly against less competitive teams, haven’t displayed the same consistency or endurance. Fried’s deeper outings and elite control highlight a gap between potential and proven excellence. The message to fans? Buzz matters more than results.
| Pitcher | Team | W-L Record | ERA | Strikeouts | IP | H | R | HR | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Skenes | Pirates | 2-2 | 2.87 | 30 | 31.1 | 21 | 10 | 1 | 0.80 |
| Garrett Crochet | Red Sox | 2-2 | 1.95 | 44 | 37.0 | 24 | 11 | 1 | 1.05 |
| Logan Webb | Giants | 3-1 | 1.98 | 44 | 36.1 | 30 | 9 | 1 | 1.10 |
| Tarik Skubal | Tigers | 2-2 | 2.83 | 29 | 28.2 | 27 | 9 | 3 | 1.12 |
| Hunter Greene | Reds | 2-2 | 2.35 | 35 | 30.2 | 18 | 8 | 4 | 0.78 |
| Hunter Brown | Astros | 3-1 | 1.16 | 31 | 31 | 17 | 5 | 1 | 0.74 |
| Yoshinobu Yamamoto | Dodgers | 3-1 | 0.93 | 38 | 29.0 | 18 | 4 | 2 | 0.86 |
| Nick Pivetta | Padres | 4-1 | 1.20 | 30 | 30.0 | 16 | 4 | 1 | 0.77 |
| Logan Gilbert | Mariners | 1-1 | 2.63 | 41 | 27.1 | 18 | 8 | 3 | 0.88 |
| Cole Ragans | Royals | 1-1 | 4.40 | 46 | 30.2 | 27 | 16 | 2 | 1.17 |
| Max Fried | Yankees | 4-0 | 1.42 | 30 | 31.2 | 25 | 9 | 2 | 1.01 |
Yankees fan fury erupts
Social media platforms lit up in the wake of the rankings release. “No Max Fried is unreal he’s one of the best pitchers in baseball rn,” tweeted one frustrated fan. Another chimed in sarcastically, “Max Fried justice button,” mocking the league’s lack of recognition for his stellar start.
One pointed critique from a Yankees supporter summed it up best: “Max Fried doesn’t exist, I guess.” The sentiment resonated widely, especially as Fried’s omission became symbolic of a larger issue—MLB’s tendency to prioritize flashy storylines over established dominance.
A pattern of disrespect for Yankees?
This isn’t the first time Yankees fans have accused MLB of bias. Historically, the franchise’s high-profile status has made it both a target for criticism and a lightning rod for controversy. But to ignore one of the league’s most effective pitchers at a time when stats should speak louder than hype seems to confirm what many fans already believe—that the Yankees, and by extension their players, are held to a different standard.
And it’s not just Fried. Fans also pointed to the absence of other top-tier pitchers like Kodai Senga, adding fuel to the fire that MLB’s ranking process is flawed. The phrase “since when did power rankings stop ranking power?” has become a mantra among those disillusioned with what they see as a manufactured narrative.
MLB’s credibility questioned
Rankings are supposed to reflect performance, not preference. But when a rookie with fewer innings and lighter matchups is vaulted to the top, while a seasoned ace with dominant stats is left off entirely, credibility takes a hit. MLB’s decision to exclude Fried has not only sparked outrage—it’s called into question the integrity of its ranking systems.
This isn’t about discrediting Skenes, who certainly has a bright future. It’s about recognizing that hype shouldn’t outweigh hard-earned results. Fried has proven his value, not just with stats, but with clutch performances that have helped the Yankees to a strong start this season.
Until MLB addresses the growing perception that it plays favorites, fans will remain skeptical. For now, Yankees supporters will continue to push back, demanding respect for a pitcher who’s letting his work on the mound do the talking.
As long as MLB’s rankings appear to reward hype over performance, fans will remain discontent. Max Fried’s exclusion highlights a troubling trend—where marketing flash threatens to overshadow merit. Until change comes, the Yankees and their fans will continue to demand accountability and fairness, one pitch at a time.
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