Yankees impressed with Max Fried’s arsenal, including curve he learned from ex-outfielder
TAMPA, Fla. — Growing up in Encino, California, Max Fried had the privilege of learning from a seven-time All-Star and World Series champion.
That would be Reggie Smith, who spent 17 seasons in the majors with the Red Sox, Cardinals, Dodgers and Giants. His Dodgers beat the Yankees in the 1981 Fall Classic, but Smith only played a small role in the six-game series.
Years later, Smith could indirectly have a bigger — and positive — impact on the Yankees, as he’s the one who first taught Fried how to throw a curveball. Never mind that the 79-year-old Smith never pitched. Rather, he roamed the outfield and manned first base as a big leaguer.
“Everything from hitting to fielding to pitching, he kind of gave me that knowledge,” said Fried, who began attending Smith’s still-active academy as a young kid. “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 first eight years of his career in Atlanta, will bring his devastating curveball to the Bronx after signing an eight-year, $218 million contract with the Yankees in December. The pitch looked sharp on Saturday, as Fried faced live hitters at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
It was his second time facing batters since reporting to Tampa a couple of weeks early, but the first time reporters got to see him in action.
“That’s kind of been my pitch since I’ve been 12, 13 years old,” Fried said 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 is not Fried’s only offering, though. It would be quicker to list the pitches he doesn’t throw, as four-seamers, sinkers, changeups, sweepers, sliders and cutters are all part of his repertoire.
“He’s got such a large arsenal. As a hitter, it’s hard to get a bead on,” Aaron Boone said. “His stuff’s really good, but it’s also the mix of pitches and the movement of pitches.”
Fried’s expanded pitch package has served him well throughout his career. A two-time All-Star with the Braves, he owns a 3.07 ERA entering his first season with the Yankees.
However, Fried and the Yankees have mentioned several times that their pairing could lead to improvement. Fried would rather keep specifics private, but the soft contact, groundball specialist did briefly discuss there being more room for strikeouts in his game on Saturday. He’s also generally spoken about his eagerness to learn from the Yankees’ pitching department.
“Any new information that I can bring in to enhance what I do, I’m welcoming it,” Fried said.
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 noted that his relationship with pitching coach Matt Blake is off to a “fantastic” start, and he’s also excited to learn from the Batman to his Robin: Gerrit Cole.
The feeling is mutual, as Cole said all the different things Fried can do with a baseball make him a “unique talent” and an “outlier.” With that in mind, expect frequent conversations between the top starters in the Yankees’ rotation this spring.
“I’m going to soak in as much as I can,” Fried said. “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.”
