Max Fried hadn’t yet established himself when first interviewed for FanGraphs in April 2018. Despite being drafted highly, he had limited big league experience. Fast forward to today, Fried is considered one of the best pitchers in baseball. He has an impressive win-loss record and strong pitching stats since 2019. Additionally, in 2021, he excelled at hitting, excelling among pitchers with 40 or more plate appearances.
Recently, Fried discussed his evolution as a pitcher and his perspective on hitting. He emphasized the importance of experience, pitch command, and staying unpredictable. While he is known for throwing various pitches, he noted that some are classified differently due to their nuances. Fried values sequencing, movement, and speed to keep hitters off balance and enhance his performance on the mound. Despite missing hitting and his roots as a position player, he remains focused on his pitching career.
