Max Fried is a professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the New York Yankees in Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on January 18, 1994, in Santa Monica, California, Fried was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the first round of the 2012 MLB Draft but was traded to the Atlanta Braves in 2014. He made his MLB debut with the Braves in 2017.
During his tenure with the Braves, Fried achieved significant accolades, including multiple Gold Glove Awards and a Silver Slugger Award in 2021. He was also named an All-Star in 2022 and 2024. Notably, Fried played a pivotal role in the Braves’ 2021 World Series victory, delivering six shutout innings in the decisive Game 6 against the Houston Astros.
In December 2024, Fried signed an eight-year, $218 million contract with the New York Yankees, marking one of the most substantial contracts for a left-handed pitcher in MLB history. He made his debut for the Yankees on March 29, 2025, in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Despite the Yankees’ offensive explosion, hitting a team-record nine home runs in a 20-9 victory, Fried’s performance was modest. He allowed six runs (two earned) over 4 2/3 innings, striking out three and walking two.
Fried is known for his effective pitching repertoire, which includes a 94 mph four-seam fastball, a 74 mph curveball, an 85 mph slider, a 93 mph sinker, and an 86 mph change-up. His curveball, in particular, has been highly effective, contributing to his reputation as a top-tier pitcher.