TAMPA — Rising up in Encino, California, Max Fried had the privilege of studying from a seven-time All-Star and World Sequence champion.
That may be Reggie Smith, who spent 17 seasons within the majors with the Purple Sox, Cardinals, Dodgers and Giants. His Dodgers beat the Yankees within the 1981 Fall Traditional, however Smith solely performed a small function within the six-game collection.
Years later, Smith may not directly have a much bigger — and optimistic — influence on the Yankees, as he’s the one who first taught Fried tips on how to throw a curveball. By no means thoughts that the 79-year-old Smith by no means pitched. Somewhat, he roamed the outfield and manned first base as a giant leaguer.
“Everything from hitting to fielding to pitching, he kind of gave me that knowledge,” stated Fried, who started attending Smith’s still-active academy as a younger child. “He showed me a bunch of different grips and taught me how to throw it, and I’ve been able to take it from there.”
Fried, who spent the primary eight years of his profession in Atlanta, will carry his devastating curveball to the Bronx after signing an eight-year, $218 million contract with the Yankees in December. The pitch appeared sharp on Saturday, as Fried confronted stay hitters at George M. Steinbrenner Subject.
It was his second time dealing with batters since reporting to Tampa a few weeks early, however the first time reporters obtained to see him in motion.
“That’s kind of been my pitch since I’ve been 12, 13 years old,” Fried stated of his curve. “I’ve always kind of had a feel or a knack for spinning the baseball. It’s more or less been a natural pitch.”
The deuce just isn’t Fried’s solely providing, although. It might be faster to checklist the pitches he doesn’t throw, as four-seamers, sinkers, changeups, sweepers, sliders and cutters are all a part of his repertoire.
“He’s got such a large arsenal. As a hitter, it’s hard to get a bead on,” Aaron Boone stated. “His stuff’s really good, but it’s also the mix of pitches and the movement of pitches.”
Max Fried strikes Austin Wells out. Wells wasn’t proud of Aaron Boone’s name. Hitters often aren’t throughout stay BP. #Yankees pic.twitter.com/wrcgogT0d7
Fried’s expanded pitch package deal has served him properly all through his profession. A two-time All-Star with the Braves, he owns a 3.07 ERA getting into his first season with the Yankees.
Nonetheless, Fried and the Yankees have talked about a number of occasions that their pairing may result in enchancment. Fried would slightly preserve specifics personal, however the delicate contact, groundball specialist did briefly talk about there being extra room for strikeouts in his recreation on Saturday. He’s additionally usually spoken about his eagerness to be taught from the Yankees’ pitching division.
“Any new information that I can bring in to enhance what I do, I’m welcoming it,” Fried stated.
Added Boone: “He’s been a sponge. He’s been really open to everything our pitching guys have thrown at him. Getting down here, you can tell he’s made a real investment in getting to know his teammates and the people in the building and coaches and staff and people that are going to be helpful to him. To me, his transition seems very seamless so far.”
Fried famous that his relationship with pitching coach Matt Blake is off to a “fantastic” begin, and he’s additionally excited to be taught from the Batman to his Robin: Gerrit Cole.
The sensation is mutual, as Cole stated all of the various things Fried can do with a baseball make him a “unique talent” and an “outlier.” With that in thoughts, anticipate frequent conversations between the highest starters within the Yankees’ rotation this spring.
“I’m going to soak in as much as I can,” Fried stated. “At the end of the day, we’re here to win, and anything that I can learn from him that I can add to my game, I’m all ears.”
