Max Fried

{{Infobox MLB player

| name = Max Fried

| image = Max Fried Press Conference (VKIIShN0KY8).png

| alt =

| caption = Fried with the New York Yankees in 2025

| team = New York Yankees

| number = 54

| position = Pitcher

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|1|18}}

| birth_place = Santa Monica, California, U.S.

| bats = Left

| throws = Left

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = August 8

| debutyear = 2017

| debutteam = Atlanta Braves

| statleague = MLB

| statyear = May 24, 2025

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 80–36

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 2.94

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 930

| stat4label = WHIP

| stat4value = 1.15

| teams =

Atlanta Braves ({{mlby|2017}}–{{mlby|2024}})
New York Yankees ({{mlby|2025}}–present)

| highlights =

| awards =

2× All-Star (2022, 2024)
World Series champion ({{wsy|2021}})
All-MLB First Team (2020)
2× All-MLB Second Team (2021, 2022)
3× Gold Glove Award (2020–2022)
Silver Slugger Award (2021)

| update =

| show-medals = y

| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport |}}

{{MedalCountry| {{USA}} }}

}}

Max Dorian Fried ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|f|r|iː|d}} {{respell|FREED|'}}; born January 18, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Atlanta Braves.

Fried was selected by the San Diego Padres in the first round, seventh overall of the 2012 MLB draft. He was traded to the Braves in 2014, and made his MLB debut with them in 2017. His 17 wins in 2019 were 2nd-most in the National League, and his seven wins in 2020 were again 2nd-most in the NL. Fried pitched 6 shut-out innings in the final game of the 2021 World Series against the Houston Astros, helping lead the Braves to their first World Series title in 26 years.{{Cite magazine|last=Baccellieri|first=Emma|title=Fried Finds Another Level to Win It for Atlanta|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2021/11/03/world-series-max-fried-game-6|access-date=November 3, 2021 |magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=November 3, 2021}} Through 2023, Fried had the best career win–loss percentage of all Braves pitchers, at .705.

In 2020, Fried won the NL Gold Glove Award at pitcher and the Fielding Bible Award at pitcher. In 2021, he won the Gold Glove Award again, as well as the Silver Slugger Award for pitchers, becoming the third pitcher in MLB history to win both awards in the same year. He was also named to the All-MLB Team those two years. In 2022, he was named an All-Star for the first time in his career and won his third consecutive Gold Glove Award at pitcher. In 2024, he was again an All-Star.

Early life

Fried was born and grew up in Encino, California, the middle son of Carrie and Jonathan Fried, and is Jewish.{{cite news |last1=Schultz |first1=Jeff |title=Max Fried, the earthquake baby, has shaken up the Braves' pitching staff |url=https://theathletic.com/956066/2019/04/30/schultz-max-fried-the-earthquake-baby-has-shaken-up-braves-pitching-staff/?redirected=1 |work=The Athletic |date=May 1, 2019}}{{cite news|author=Cohen, David R. |date=April 25, 2017 |url=http://atlantajewishtimes.timesofisrael.com/fried-is-working-to-fill-koufaxs-shoes/ |title=Fried is Working to fill Koufax's Shoes |work=Atlanta Jewish Times}} His younger brother Jake, also a pitcher, attended the University of Arizona.{{cite web|url=http://sierracanyonathletics.com/athletic-department/trailblazers-in-college/ |title=Trailblazers in College |publisher=University of Arizona}} Max began attending the Reggie Smith Baseball Academy in Encino, California, at the age of seven, and learned how to throw a curveball from the retired outfielder.{{cite news |last1=Ladson |first1=Bill |title=Fried learned signature curve from ... an outfielder? |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/max-fried-learned-curveball-from-reggie-smith |access-date=November 24, 2022 |work=MLB.com |date=November 17, 2022}} Fried pitched for the 2009 Maccabiah Games Team USA Juniors baseball team that won a gold medal in Israel.{{cite web|last=Oster |first=Marcy |url=http://www.jta.org/2012/06/05/news-opinion/united-states/max-fried-18-drafted-by-padres |title=Max Fried, 18, drafted by Padres |publisher=Jewish Telegraphic Agency|date=June 5, 2012 |access-date=May 16, 2017}}

Fried first attended Montclair College Preparatory School, in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, where he played baseball, football, and basketball.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourventurablvd.com/2012/07/20/field-of-dreams/|author=Linda Grasso |title=Field of Dreams; Catching up with Max Fried, first round draft pick of the San Diego Padres … on the Encino pitcher's mound where it all began|work=Ventura Blvd Magazine|date=July 20, 2012 |access-date=May 16, 2017}} As a sophomore, with Ethan Katz as his pitching coach, he was 10–3 with a 1.81 earned run average (ERA), and was named the Olympic League MVP and to the All-California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Division V first team.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/san-francisco-giants-announce-2019-player-development-staff-and-affili-303073178 |title=San Francisco Giants announce 2019 player development staff and affiliate staffs |work=MLB.com |date=January 23, 2019|access-date=December 13, 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.scjewishsportshof.com/hs-fried.html |title=Max Fried; 2011 Male High School Athlete of The Year|publisher=Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame|access-date=May 16, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sbsun.com/article/ZZ/20110304/NEWS/110307524 |title=High School Baseball: All-Daily News preseason team |work=Daily News |author=Gerry Gittelson|date=March 4, 2011 |access-date=May 16, 2017}} In his junior year Fried was 7–3 with a 1.31 ERA, with 100 strikeouts in 69 innings, as he also played outfield and batted .360 with four home runs and 30 RBIs.{{cite web|author=Gerry Gittelson |url=https://patch.com/california/northhollywood/top-baseball-pitcher-transfers-to-harvard-westlake |title=Top Baseball Pitcher Transfers to Harvard-Westlake|work=North Hollywood, CA Patch |date=August 20, 2011 |access-date=May 16, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://hwchronicle.com/baseball-star-joins-senior-class/ |title=Baseball star joins senior class|author=Judd Liebman |work=The Harvard-Westlake Chronicle|date=September 7, 2011|access-date=May 16, 2017}} He was named the 2011 Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Male High School Athlete of the Year.

After Montclair Prep cut its baseball team subsequent to his junior year, Fried then transferred to Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, where he wore uniform number 32 in honor of Sandy Koufax and played with fellow future MLB pitchers Lucas Giolito and Jack Flaherty. In 2012, his senior year, Fried was 8–2 with a 2.02 ERA, and 105 strikeouts in 66 innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/high-school/baseball/story/_/id/7766914/dream-rotation-lucas-giolito-max-fried-thrown-changeup |title=Dream rotation of Lucas Giolito and Max Fried thrown a changeup|author= Matt Rembsberg|publisher=ESPN |date=April 4, 2012 |access-date=May 16, 2017}}{{cite web|author=Sean Ceglinsky |url=http://www.maxpreps.com/news/gR22WDyqt0WZLwmymQZkUQ/max-fried-celebrates-his-high-pick-in-mlb-draft.htm |title=Max Fried celebrates his high pick in MLB Draft |publisher=MaxPreps |date=June 6, 2012 |access-date=May 16, 2017}} He was a 2012 Rawlings-Perfect Game 1st Team All-American.{{cite web|url=https://www.perfectgame.org/Players/Playerprofile.aspx?ID=283256 |title=Max Fried – Player Profile |publisher=Perfect Game USA|access-date=May 16, 2017}}

Draft and minor leagues

=Draft (2012)=

The San Diego Padres selected Fried in the first round with the seventh overall selection of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite news|last1=Brock|first1=Corey|title=Padres take prep lefty Fried in draft|url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/32756504/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222105724/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/32756504/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 22, 2015|access-date=December 22, 2015|work=MLB.com|date=June 5, 2012}} Fried chose to sign with the Padres for $3 million despite his commitment to the UCLA Bruins baseball team.{{cite news|last1=Sondheimer|first1=Eric|title=Fried and Giolito are first-round selections|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jun/05/sports/la-sp-0605-mlb-draft-giolito-fried-20120605|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607143622/http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jun/05/sports/la-sp-0605-mlb-draft-giolito-fried-20120605|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 7, 2012|access-date=December 22, 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|date=June 5, 2012}}{{cite news|title=Top pick Fried signs with Padres|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=8058473|access-date=December 22, 2015|work=ESPN|agency=Associated Press|date=June 15, 2012}} Baseball America rated him the top left-hander available in the draft.{{cite web|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jun/04/too-soon-know-if-padres-made-correct-choice/|title=Too soon to know if Padres made correct choice|first1=Kevin|last1=Acee|date=June 4, 2012|work=U-T San Diego|access-date=April 1, 2015}}

=San Diego Padres (2012–2014)=

Fried made his professional debut for the Arizona League Padres in 2012 and spent the whole season there, going 0–1 with a 3.57 ERA in 17.2 innings pitched. He played for the Fort Wayne TinCaps in 2013 where he compiled a 6–7 record and 3.49 ERA in 23 starts. At the end of the year, Fried was ranked the 43rd-best prospect in the minors by MLBPipeline.{{cite news|last1=Bowman|first1=Mark|title=Fried excited to show Braves what he can do|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/160157838/max-fried-excited-for-future-with-braves|access-date=December 22, 2015|work=MLB.com|date=December 21, 2015|archive-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806140503/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/160157838/max-fried-excited-for-future-with-braves/|url-status=dead}} He was also named an MiLB.com Padres Organization All Star, and Baseball America ranked his curveball as the best in the Padres' minor league system.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/player/max-fried-608331 |title=Max Fried Stats, Highlights, Bio |publisher=Minor League Baseball |access-date=May 16, 2017}}[https://www.baseballamerica.com/statistics/players/cards/2452 "Max Fried, lhp, Braves,"] Baseball America.

In 2014, he was ranked the Padres' top pitching prospect, and their No. 2 prospect overall, by MLB.com. Fried was injured for much of the year and did not make his season debut until July. The next month, on August 20, Fried underwent Tommy John surgery; he missed the remainder of the 2014 season.

=Atlanta Braves (2014–2017)=

On December 19, 2014, the Padres traded Fried, Jace Peterson, Dustin Peterson, and Mallex Smith to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Justin Upton and Aaron Northcraft.{{cite news|title=Braves trade OF Justin Upton to Padres|url=http://www.foxsports.com/south/story/atlanta-braves-trade-outfielder-justin-upton-to-san-diego-padres-121914|access-date=April 5, 2015|work=Fox Sports|date=December 19, 2014}} Fried missed the entire 2015 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

He returned to action on April 9, 2016, for the Rome Braves.{{cite news|last1=Hill|first1=Jordan D.|title=Rome Braves pitcher Max Fried thrives after Tommy John surgery|url=http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/baseball/rome-braves-pitcher-max-fried-thrives-after-tommy-/nr2Sh/|access-date=August 11, 2016|work=Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=July 20, 2016}} Fried spent all of 2016 with Rome, pitching to an 8–7 record and 3.93 ERA in 21 games (20 starts), striking out 112 batters in 103.0 innings. Fried ended the season ranked by Baseball America as the 6th-best prospect in the South Atlantic League.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/max-fried-608331?stats=career-r-pitching-minors&year=2017 |title=Max Fried Stats, Fantasy & News |work=MLB.com |access-date=May 16, 2017}} His fastball, clocked at 93–94 mph, reached 96–97 mph in the second half of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/2017 |title=MLB.com 2017 Prospect Watch|work=MLB.com |date=May 24, 2013 |access-date=May 16, 2017}} The Braves added Fried to their 40-man roster after the season.{{cite web|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/209156150/braves-add-3-prospects-to-40-man-roster/|title=Braves add 3 prospects to 40-man roster; Atlanta protects lefty Fried, righty Sims, infielder Camargo from Rule 5 Draft|date=November 18, 2016|author=Mark Bowman|work=MLB.com|access-date=November 19, 2016|archive-date=August 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802083244/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/209156150/braves-add-3-prospects-to-40-man-roster/|url-status=dead}}

Fried was invited to spring training for the first time at the start of the 2017 season.{{cite news|last1=Bowman|first1=Mark|title=Fried awestruck attending first big league camp|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/max-fried-awestruck-at-first-braves-camp-c216448888|access-date=February 21, 2017|work=MLB.com|date=February 19, 2017}} He began the season at the Class AA level with the Mississippi Braves.{{cite news|last1=Bowman|first1=Mark|title=Fried takes 'priceless' lessons to Minors|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/219584344/max-fried-among-braves-sent-to-minors-camp/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316202949/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/219584344/max-fried-among-braves-sent-to-minors-camp/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 16, 2017|access-date=March 17, 2017|work=MLB.com|date=March 16, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ajc.com/sports/baseball/braves-fried-optioned-double-but-not-before-leaving-his-mark/fEoTMk4TcaZ8NOt1YoAmZN/ |title=Max Fried optioned to Double-A, lefty made quite an impression|author=David O'Brien |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=March 17, 2017|access-date=May 16, 2017}} He was ranked as the Braves' No. 8 prospect overall by MLB.com in May, and the #89 prospect in minor league baseball in July.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/southern-league-notes-atlanta-braves-max-fried-looking-forward/c-225253584/t-185364810 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420223109/https://www.milb.com/milb/news/southern-league-notes-atlanta-braves-max-fried-looking-forward/c-225253584/t-185364810 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 20, 2017 |title=Southern notes: Braves' Fried looking forward |publisher=Minor League Baseball |author=Guy Curtright|date=April 20, 2017 |access-date=May 16, 2017}}{{cite news|last1=Goff|first1=Chris|title=Notebook: TinCaps' Tatis in top-100 rankings|url=http://www.journalgazette.net/blog/full-count/20170708/notebook-tincaps-tatis-in-top-100-rankings|access-date=April 25, 2018|work=The Journal Gazette|date=July 8, 2018}} Fried was named Southern League Pitcher of the Week for the week ending April 30.{{cite news|last1=Hudgison|first1=Chris|title=M-Braves pitcher Max Fried promoted to Atlanta|url=http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/36070606/m-braves-pitcher-max-fried-promoted-to-atlanta|access-date=April 25, 2018|publisher=WLBT|date=August 5, 2017}}

Major leagues

=Atlanta Braves (2017–2024)=

==2017: Major league debut==

Fried was called up to the Atlanta Braves on August 5, 2017.{{cite news|last1=Burns|first1=Gabriel|title=Max Fried thankful, overwhelmed at joining Braves|url=http://www.ajc.com/sports/baseball/max-fried-thankful-overwhelmed-joining-braves/Ps329w2bDu6flJP2afiIeL/amp.html|access-date=August 6, 2017|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=August 5, 2017}} He debuted on August 8, throwing two scoreless innings against the Philadelphia Phillies, displaying what David O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution called "a devastating curveball".{{cite news|title=Phillies maintain stranglehold on Braves with 5–2 win|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/bbo-phillies-braves-recap-idUSMTZED89EDJ5KN|access-date=April 25, 2018|work=Reuters|date=August 8, 2017}}David O'Brien (August 9, 2017). [http://www.ajc.com/sports/baseball/teheran-drops-8th-straight-home-decision-phillies-beat-braves-again/xltup0Ss2pty0FVOr783aO/ "Teheran drops 8th straight home decision, Phillies beat Braves again,"] The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Two weeks later, Fried returned to the minor leagues, joining the AAA Gwinnett Braves.{{cite news|last1=Bowman|first1=Mark|title=Braves call up Minter, option Fried to Triple-A|url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/braves-promote-pitcher-aj-minter/c-250135246|access-date=April 25, 2018|work=MLB.com|date=August 23, 2017}} In 26 innings pitched for the Braves for the season, he was 1–1 with a 3.81 ERA.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/friedma01.shtml |title=Max Fried Stats |website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=October 1, 2019}}

At the end of the 2017 season, Fried joined the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League, for whom he was named league Player of the Week on October 31.{{cite news |last1=Boor|first1=William|date=October 28, 2017|title=Braves prospects stay hot as Peoria rolls |url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/259961532/braves-fried-acuna-jackson-riley-hot-in-afl/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029075353/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/259961532/braves-fried-acuna-jackson-riley-hot-in-afl/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 29, 2017|access-date=October 30, 2017}}David O'Brien (October 31, 2017). [http://www.ajc.com/sports/baseball/acuna-fried-named-players-the-week-fall-league/8cIDQvMy4YrLtakXJfDrAM/ "Braves prospects Acuna, Fried are Players of the Week in AFL,"] Atlanta Journal Constitution. He led the league with 32 strikeouts in 26 innings (3rd in the league), and was 3–1 with a 1.73 ERA (6th) in six starts.David O'Brien (December 11, 2017). [http://www.myajc.com/sports/baseball/acuna-heads-group-four-braves-afl-top-prospects-team/YUm0zSLbumdbrUdiO0dEwI/ "Braves place four on Arizona Fall League top-prospects team,"] Atlanta Journal Constitution.Alan Carpenter (November 20, 2017). [https://tomahawktake.com/2017/11/20/atlanta-braves-prospects-show-dominance-in-afl/2/ "Atlanta Braves prospects show dominance in AFL"]. He ranked first among starters with a .163 opponents' batting average, was second in fewest-baserunners-allowed-per-nine-innings (7.96), and was named to the AFL's Top Prospects Team. Baseball America rated him # 3 on the AFL Hot Sheet.[https://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/final-arizona-fall-league-hot-sheet-nov-20-2017/ "Arizona Fall League Hot Sheet (Nov. 20),"] Baseball America, November 20, 2017. In December, Braves manager Brian Snitker said that he might look at Fried, Lucas Sims, or another pitcher as the team's fifth starter in 2018.[http://www.ajc.com/sports/baseball/order-the-braves-2018-starting-rotation/US4PWh6LwnK0XOLBi0DtUI/ "Order the Braves' 2018 starting rotation,"] Atlanta Journal Constitution, December 14, 2017.

==2018==

Fried began the 2018 season with the AA Mississippi Braves. After one game, he joined the Gwinnett Stripers.{{cite news |last1=Grissett|first1=Anna|title=Roster Update – Fried promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett|url=https://www.milb.com/m-braves/news/roster-update---fried-promoted-to-triple-a-gwinnett/c-271958056|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425115224/https://www.milb.com/m-braves/news/roster-update---fried-promoted-to-triple-a-gwinnett/c-271958056|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 25, 2018|access-date=April 25, 2018|publisher=Minor League Baseball|date=April 12, 2018}} He was called up to Atlanta in April.{{cite news|last1=Bowman|first1=Mark|title=Braves recall prospect Fried from Triple-A |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/braves-recall-prospect-max-fried-from-triple-a/c-273632466|access-date=April 25, 2018|work=MLB.com |date=April 24, 2018}} In 33.2 innings pitched for the Braves in the 2018 regular season, he was 1–4 with 44 strikeouts and a 2.94 ERA. With runners in scoring position he kept batters to one hit in 30 at bats (.033); and with RISP and two outs, opposing batters were 0-for-14 with eight strikeouts.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/max-fried-608331 |title=Max Fried Stats, Fantasy & News|website=MLB.com}}

==2019==

File:Max Fried July 16, 2019 (cropped).jpg

Fried was placed in the bullpen at the start of the 2019 season, and later moved to the starting rotation.{{cite news |last1=Burns |first1=Gabriel |title=Max Fried becomes MLB's early ERA leader |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/baseball/max-fried-becomes-mlb-early-era-leader/AFmHg0I3LToaiTmFE7KeLJ/ |access-date=May 10, 2019 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=April 23, 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Max |title=Max power: Baby Brave baffles Cubs |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/max-fried-dazzles-in-first-start-of-2019 |access-date=May 9, 2019 |work=MLB.com |date=April 5, 2019}}{{cite news |author=Jeff Schultz|title=Max Fried is a Braves pitcher living up to billing — so that's one |url=https://theathletic.com/929022/2019/04/17/schultz-max-fried-is-a-braves-pitcher-living-up-to-billing-so-thats-one/ |access-date=May 10, 2019 |work=The Athletic |url-access=subscription |date=April 17, 2019}} In a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 7, Fried was hit on his left hand by a ball hit by Alex Verdugo and left the game, but he made his next regularly scheduled start.{{cite news |last1=Gonzalez |first1=Alden |title=Braves' Fried takes liner off hand; X-rays clean |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26696228/braves-fried-takes-liner-hand-x-rays-clean |access-date=May 10, 2019 |publisher=ESPN |date=May 8, 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title=Fried (left hand) optimistic he'll make next start |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/max-fried-optimistic-about-not-missing-start |access-date=May 10, 2019 |work=MLB.com |date=May 8, 2019}}{{cite news |title=Fried returns to lead Braves to 5–3 win over Diamondbacks |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401075327 |access-date=May 13, 2019 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN|date=May 12, 2019}}

In 2019 Fried was 17–6 with a 4.02 ERA, as in 33 games (30 starts) he pitched 165.2 innings in which he struck out 173 batters. His 17 wins were 2nd in the National League, and his .739 won-loss percentage was 5th in the league. He induced the second-lowest percentage of fly balls (22.2%), and the third-highest percentage of ground balls (53.6%), of all NL pitchers, and threw his curveball 24.6% of the time (6th in the league).{{cite web |url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=nl&qual=y&type=8&season=2019&month=0&season1=2019&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2019-01-01&enddate=2019-12-31&sort=14,d |title=National League Leaderboards » 2019 » Pitchers » Dashboard |publisher=Fangraphs |date=January 1, 2019 |access-date=October 1, 2019}} His 9.398 strikeouts/9 IP were the 5th-highest in a single season of any Braves pitcher in history.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/leaders_pitch_50_season.shtml |title=Atlanta Braves Top 50 Single-Season Pitching Leaders |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}

On defense, he led all NL pitchers in assists with 34, and had the 2nd-best range factor/9 innings pitched of 2.23. He had a 6 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) rating, the best in the major leagues among pitchers.{{cite web |url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=p&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=y&type=1&season=2019&month=0&season1=2019&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2019-01-01&enddate=2019-12-31&sort=13,d |title=Major League Leaderboards » 2019 » Pitchers » Fielding Statistics |publisher=Fangraphs|date=January 1, 2019 |access-date=October 7, 2019}} Fried also batted .196 (9th among NL pitchers)/.262 (6th)/.268 (10th), and led all NL pitchers with at least 50 plate appearances in runs (11) and BB/SO ratio (0.31), while having the 2nd-lowest swinging strike percentage (7.1%), 3rd in contact percentage (81.6%), and tying for 3rd in walks (5).{{cite web|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=p&stats=bat&lg=nl&qual=50&type=0&season=2019&month=0&season1=2019&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2019-01-01&enddate=2019-12-31&sort=11,d |title=National League Leaderboards » 2019 » Pitchers » Standard Statistics |publisher=Fangraphs |date=January 1, 2019|access-date=October 2, 2019}}

==2020: Gold Glove and Fielding Bible Awards, All-MLB First Team==

During the season Fried developed into the ace starting pitcher for the Braves.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/braves-max-fried-picks-up-fourth-win/|title=Braves' Max Fried: Picks up fourth win|website=CBS Sports|date=August 22, 2020}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/09/braves-place-max-fried-on-il-dfa-charlie-culberson-and-other-roster-moves.html|title=Braves Place Max Fried On IL, DFA Charlie Culberson, And Other Roster Moves|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=September 8, 2020|author= TC Zencka}}

In the pandemic-shortened 2020 regular season, Fried had a 7–0 win-loss record with a 2.25 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/braves-max-fried-gains-clearance-for-game-1/|title=Braves' Max Fried: Gains clearance for Game 1|date=September 28, 2020|work=CBS Sports}} He led the major leagues in won-loss percentage (1.000) and pickoffs (4), led the National League in WAR for pitchers (2.9), was 2nd in the NL in Wins Above Replacement-all behind Mookie Betts, and tied for 2nd in the NL in wins.{{Cite web |url=https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/custom?year=2020&type=pitcher&filter=&sort=2&sortDir=desc&min=25&selections=p_pickoff_1b,p_pickoff_2b,p_pickoff_3b,p_gnd_into_dp,p_swinging_strike,xba,xslg,xwoba,xobp,xiso,exit_velocity_avg,launch_angle_avg,sweet_spot_percent,barrel_batted_rate,&chart=false&x=p_pickoff_1b&y=p_pickoff_1b&r=no&chartType=beeswarm|title=Statcast Custom Leaderboards|website=baseballsavant.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/2020-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2020 National League Pitching Leaders|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} He held batters to an average exit velocity on batted balls of 83.4 mph, and hard-hit balls to 23.8%, both among the lowest 2% of all major league pitchers.{{Cite web|url=https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/max-fried-608331?stats=statcast-r-pitching-mlb|title=Max Fried Statcast, Visuals & Advanced Metrics | MLB.com|website=baseballsavant.com}}

His four pickoffs through September 6 were the most in the majors in 2020, and he needed only 12 pickoff attempts to do so.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/braves/news/max-fried-talks-about-his-saturday-start|title=Max Fried shows decreased velocity in Saturday's start against Washington|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=September 6, 2020|author=Bill Shanks}} Since his major league debut in 2017, Fried's 14 pickoffs were the most in the majors, and he was successful on 19% of his attempts. In that same time-span, pitchers in all of baseball had been successful in picking off runners in only 0.017% of attempts. Fried started the season by becoming the first left-handed pitcher to not allow any home runs through eight starts, with his team winning every game, since Babe Ruth in 1917.{{Cite web|url=https://www.talkingchop.com/2020/9/3/21419783/starting-nine-its-time-for-max-fried-to-start-getting-some-mvp-love|title=Starting Nine: It's time for Max Fried to start getting some MVP love|first=Cory|last=McCartney|date=September 3, 2020|website=Talking Chop}}

On defense, Fried led all major league pitchers in assists for the second consecutive season (with 15), tied for the MLB lead in pickoffs (with 4; with his 9 in 2019–20 he was tops in major league baseball), and led all pitchers with five Defensive Runs Saved.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/max-fried-wins-2020-nl-gold-glove-award|title=Fried locks up his first NL Gold Glove Award|website=MLB.com |author=Mark Bowman|date=November 3, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/2020-fielding-leaders.shtml |title=2020 National League Fielding Leaders|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-gold-glove-finalists |title=2020 Gold Glove finalists unveiled |website=MLB.com |author=David Adler |author2=Matt Kelly |author3=Paul Casella |date=November 3, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://tomahawktake.com/2020/10/23/gold-glove-nominations-continue-show-atlanta-braves-defensive-emphasis/|title=Gold Glove nominations continue to show Atlanta Braves defensive emphasis |date=October 23, 2020|author=Alan Carpenter}}

Fried won the 2020 NL Gold Glove Award at pitcher.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-gold-glove-award-winners|title=Here are the Gold Glove Award winners|website=MLB.com|author= Paul Casella |date=November 3, 2020}} He became the fourth Braves pitcher to win the award, joining Mike Hampton, Greg Maddux, and Phil Niekro, and the first Braves player to win the award for a pitcher in 17 years.{{Cite web|url=https://949thebull.iheart.com/featured/otis-the-o-show/content/2020-11-04-braves-break-17-year-golden-glove-drought-with-max-fried/|title=Braves Break 17-Year "Golden Glove" Drought With Max Fried|website=94.9 The Bull |date=November 4, 2020}} He also won the 2020 Fielding Bible Award at pitcher.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-fielding-bible-award-winners-announced|title='20 Fielding Bible Award winners announced|website=MLB.com|author=David Adler| date=October 29, 2020}} The award honors the top fielder in the Major Leagues at pitcher. He came in fifth in voting for the 2020 NL Cy Young Award.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/braves-max-fried-5th-in-nl-cy-young-voting/PXNCIWTB4NGOBE3DI4JAFBHT3Y/|title=Braves' Max Fried 5th in Cy Young voting despite 7–0 record|website=Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=November 11, 2020}} He was named a starter on the 2020 All-MLB First Team.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/freddie-freeman-max-fried-among-four-braves-to-make-all-mlb-team/5A6YPIA6WREURG5MVACOKDXX4E/|title=Freddie Freeman, Max Fried among four Braves to make All-MLB team|first1=Gabriel|last1=Burns|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution }}

==2021: Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Awards, All-MLB Second Team ==

File:Max Fried before a game (3x4).jpg

Fried was the Braves' 2021 Opening Day starting pitcher.{{cite news |title=Fried gets first Opening Day start |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/max-fried-braves-opening-day-starter-2021 |access-date=August 20, 2021 |work=MLB.com |date=March 25, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Burns |first1=Gabriel |title=Braves name Max Fried opening-day starter |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/max-fried-named-braves-2021-opening-day-starter/4W2WM3W7CBEZPFHQVYBVWDAF44/ |access-date=August 20, 2021 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=March 25, 2021}} His first career complete game shutout was a Maddux, pitched against the Baltimore Orioles on August 20, 2021.{{cite news |last1=McCann |first1=Savannah |title=Fried spins shortest Maddux since ... Maddux |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/max-fried-pitches-4-hit-shutout-in-win-vs-orioles |access-date=August 20, 2021 |work=MLB.com |date=August 20, 2021}}{{cite news |title=D'Arnaud HR backs Fried shutout as Braves beat Orioles 3–0 |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401228885 |access-date=August 20, 2021 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN|date=August 20, 2021}} Fried threw a second Maddux on September 24, while facing the San Diego Padres.{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title=Maddux! Fried blanks SD on 98 pitches |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/max-fried-shuts-out-padres-on-98-pitches |access-date=September 25, 2021 |work=MLB.com |date=September 25, 2021}}{{cite news |title=Fried brilliant in 3-hitter, Braves silence Padres 4-0Fried brilliant in 3-hitter, Braves silence Padres 4–0 |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401229348 |access-date=September 25, 2021 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN|date=September 25, 2021}} His 1.76 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in the second half of the season were the best in the major leagues.{{Cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/32369939/atlanta-braves-max-fried-stays-hot-evens-nlds-nine-strikeout-gem|title=Braves' Fried stays hot, evens NLDS with 9-K gem|date=October 10, 2021|website=ESPN}} He was named the National League Pitcher of the Month for September, after posting a 1.54 ERA.{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Brian |title=Pitchers of the Month: Fried, Montas |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/max-fried-frankie-montas-are-pitchers-of-the-month |access-date=November 8, 2021 |work=MLB.com |date=October 4, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Burns |first1=Gabriel |title=Max Fried wins NL pitcher of the month |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/max-fried-wins-nl-pitcher-of-the-month/QOBIIEI3HNGBRDN5EIB6IMSRMI/ |access-date=November 8, 2021 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=October 4, 2021}}

In the 2021 regular season, Fried was 14–7 with a 3.04 ERA (9th in the National League), and his 14 wins were 5th in the NL. In 28 starts he threw 2 shutouts (leading the league), as in 165.2 innings he averaged 7.5 hits, 0.8 home runs (3rd), and 2.2 walks per 9 innings, for a 1.087 WHIP. His 8.584 strikeouts/9 innings were the 11th-most in Braves history. His 51.8% ground ball percentage was 3rd-highest in the NL, and he induced softly hit balls 20.0% of the time (5th).{{Cite web |url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=nl&qual=y&type=8&season=2021&month=0&season1=2021&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2021-01-01&enddate=2021-12-31&sort=14,d|title=National League Leaderboards » 2021 » Pitchers » Dashboard|website=Fangraphs}}

As a batter, he hit .273/.322/.327. His batting average and on-base percentage led all pitchers, while his slugging percentage ranked second. He scored 7 runs (2nd), hit three doubles (2nd), and drove in 5 RBIs (6th) in 55 at bats, had the second-highest exit velocity of all pitchers (90.3 mph), had 8 sacrifice hits (8th of all players), and was called upon to pinch hit four times.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=p&stats=bat&lg=nl&qual=0&type=8&season=2021&month=0&season1=2021&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2021-01-01&enddate=2021-12-31&sort=6,d|title=National League Leaderboards » 2021 » Pitchers » Dashboard|work=Fangraphs}} On July 4, 2021, he had a pinch-hit, walk-off, single against the Miami Marlins.{{Cite web |title=Fried's walk-off fulfills dream: 'I love hitting' |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/max-fried-s-walk-off-single-helps-braves-beat-marlins |access-date=August 1, 2022 |website=MLB.com}}

On defense, Fried led the league in range factor/game as a pitcher (1.61), in assists as a pitcher for the third consecutive season (37), and in Defensive Runs Saved for the third season in a row (6). For the second consecutive season he tied for the major league lead in pickoffs (6).

In the three years in which Fried was a starter, from 2019 to 2021, he led all National League pitchers in wins (38), was tied for the lead in shutouts (2), was 2nd in the vertical movement of his curveball (−11.6 inches; batters hit .183/.218/.294 against it), and had the third-lowest barrels percentage in balls hit against him (5.0%).{{Cite web |url=https://www.sportstalkatl.com/braves-max-frieds-breaking-ball-combo-has-helped-solidify-his-place-among-mlbs-best-starters/ |title=Braves: Max Fried's breaking ball combo has helped solidify his place among MLB's best starters|first=Clint|last=Manry |date=October 12, 2021|website=SportsTalkATL.com}} In those three years on offense he led NL pitchers in runs (18), doubles (7), on base percentage (.292), and WAR (1.3), was 2nd-lowest in strikeout percentage (25.8%), and third in batting average (.234), slugging percentage (.297), OPS (.589), and walks (9).{{Cite web|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=p&stats=bat&lg=nl&qual=70&type=8&season=2021&month=0&season1=2019&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2019-01-01&enddate=2021-12-31&sort=6,d|title=National League Leaderboards » 2021 » Pitchers » Dashboard|work=Fangraphs}} In those three years on defense he led all NL pitchers in assists (86).{{Cite web|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=p&stats=fld&lg=nl&qual=300&type=0&season=2021&month=0&season1=2019&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2019-01-01&enddate=2021-12-31&sort=8,d|title=National League Leaderboards » 2021 » Pitchers » Fielding Statistics |work=Fangraphs}}

Fried won the final game of the 2021 World Series with six shutout innings against the Astros, who had led the majors in batting average and runs for the season, with Houston's three-time batting champion Jose Altuve observing: "He was almost unhittable."{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/03/sports/baseball/max-friend-braves-world-series.html|title=Max Fried Lost Game 2. Then He Pitched Atlanta to a Title|first=Alan|last=Blinder|date=November 3, 2021|work=The New York Times}}

Fried won the 2021 NL Gold Glove Award at pitcher, winning the award for the second year in a row.{{cite news |title=Record five St. Louis Cardinals capture Gold Glove awards as full list of winners announced |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/32580108/record-five-st-louis-cardinals-capture-gold-glove-awards-full-list-winners-announced |access-date=November 8, 2021 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN}}{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title=Fried, Duvall take home Gold Glove honors |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/max-fried-adam-duvall-win-2021-gold-glove-awards |access-date=November 7, 2021 |work=MLB.com |date=November 9, 2021}} He became the third Braves pitcher to win multiple Gold Glove Awards, joining Greg Maddux and Phil Niekro.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/max-fried-adam-duvall-win-2021-gold-glove-awards|title=Fried, Duvall take home Gold Glove honors|website=MLB.com}} Major League managers and coaches (voting only within their league, and unable to vote for players on their own team), account for 75% of the selection process, while the other 25% is a sabermetric component.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-gold-glove-awards-2021-cardinals-make-history-with-five-winners-including-nolan-arenado/|title=MLB Gold Glove Awards 2021: Cardinals make history with five winners, including Nolan Arenado|work=CBS Sports|date=November 8, 2021 }}

Fried also won the 2021 NL Silver Slugger Award for pitchers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/silver-slugger-award-winners-2021|title='21 Silver Slugger Award winners announced|website=MLB.com}} The award was given to the top offensive player at pitcher in the NL, as determined by a vote by the manager and three coaches of each MLB team (and no manager/coach can vote for a player on his own team).{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-silver-slugger-awards-2021-shohei-ohtani-wins-first-honor-braves-have-four-winners/ |title=MLB Silver Slugger awards 2021: Shohei Ohtani wins first honor; Braves have four winners|website=CBS Sports|date=November 12, 2021 }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/sports/nbcsports/bryce-harper-wins-2021-silver-slugger-award-phillies/3045168/ |title=Bryce Harper Wins 2021 Silver Slugger Award. Is MVP Next? |first=Corey|last=Seidman|work=NBC Sports|date=November 12, 2021}} Fried became the third MLB pitcher in history to win both the Silver Slugger Award and the Gold Glove Award in the same season, joining Mike Hampton (2003) and Zack Greinke (2019).{{Cite web|url=https://www.ballysports.com/national/news/if-dh-comes-to-nl-braves-max-fried-could-be-last-pitcher-of-his-kind|title=If DH comes to NL, Braves' Max Fried could be last pitcher of his kind |website=Bally Sports |date=November 12, 2021}} Fried was the final recipient of the Silver Slugger Award for pitchers, as the National League permanently implemented the designated hitter in 2022.

He was named a starter on the 2021 All-MLB Second Team, earning his second consecutive All-MLB selection.{{cite web| url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2021-all-mlb-team| title=2021 All-MLB Team| website=MLB.com}}

Through 2021, of the Braves career leaders, Fried was second in win–loss percentage (.690; behind Russ Ortiz and ahead of Greg Maddux).{{Cite web |title=Atlanta Braves Top 10 Career Pitching Leaders|website=Baseball-Reference.com |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/leaders_pitch.shtml}}

==2022: All Star and Gold Glove Award==

Fried was named to his second straight Opening Day start in 2022.{{cite news |last1=Klemish |first1=Dawn |title=Fried earns Braves' Opening Day nod |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/max-fried-braves-opening-day-starter-2022 |access-date=March 31, 2022 |work=MLB.com |date=March 30, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Toscano |first1=Justin |title=Braves name Max Fried their opening-day starter |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/braves-name-max-fried-their-opening-day-starter/25LOK6RZBZCZ7IQ52JAJTGGD2I/ |access-date=March 31, 2022 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=March 30, 2022}}{{cite news |title=Max Fried to make second straight Opening Day start for Atlanta Braves |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/33632222/max-fried-make-second-straight-opening-day-start-atlanta-braves |access-date=March 31, 2022 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN |date=March 30, 2022}} Fried's salary for the 2022 season was set at $6.85 million via arbitration.{{cite news |title=Atlanta Braves' Max Fried wins arbitration case, gets $6.85 million |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34132444/atlanta-braves-max-fried-wins-arbitration-case-gets-685-million |access-date=June 23, 2022 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN|date=June 22, 2022}} He was named to the 2022 Major League Baseball All-Star Game roster at midseason.{{cite news |title=Braves' All-Star selections make history |last1=Sands |first1=Ethan |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/five-braves-named-2022-nl-all-stars |access-date=July 10, 2022 |work=MLB.com |date=July 10, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Toscano |first1=Justin |title=Five Braves headed to the All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/five-braves-headed-to-the-all-star-game-at-dodger-stadium/537PU67RBVDCBIKGLNAXKQQDZE/ |access-date=July 16, 2022 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=July 10, 2022}}

For the season, Fried was 14–7 with a 2.48 ERA (3rd in the NL; 10th-lowest in Atlanta franchise history), in 30 starts in which he pitched 185.1 innings with 170 strikeouts.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/players/max-fried/13743/stats?position=P|title=Max Fried - Stats - Pitching|website=FanGraphs }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/player/max-fried-608331|title=Max Fried Stats, Fantasy & News|website=MLB.com}} He gave up the lowest percentage of hard-hit balls in the NL (24.5%) and had the lowest barrel-percentage against (4.0%), was 2nd in fewest walks/9 innings (1.55), 3rd in strikeouts/walk (5.31) and fewest home runs/9 innings (0.58), 4th in ground ball percentage (51.2%), and tied for 5th in highest LOB (78.2%).{{Cite web|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=nl&qual=y&type=8&season=2022&month=0&season1=2022&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2022-01-01&enddate=2022-12-31&sort=3,d|title=National League Leaderboards » 2022 » Pitchers » Dashboard |website=FanGraphs }} His curveball had the highest vertical movement of those of all NL pitchers, the exit velocity of balls hit against him (86.2 mph) was the third-lowest in the NL, and batters swung at his pitches outside the strike zone 36.8% of the time, the fourth-highest rate in the NL.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=nl&qual=y&type=5&season=2022&month=0&season1=2022&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2022-01-01&enddate=2022-12-31&sort=3,d|title=National League Leaderboards » 2022 » Pitchers » Plate Discipline Statistics|work=Fangraphs}}

In the four seasons from 2019 to 2022, he had the lowest barrel-percentage against (4.6%) of all major league pitchers, and his 52 wins were second in the major leagues only to the 56 wins of pitcher Gerrit Cole.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&season=2022&month=0&season1=2019&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2019-01-01&enddate=2022-12-31&sort=3,d|title=Major League Leaderboards » 2022 » Pitchers » Dashboard |work=FanGraphs}} On defense, opponents became hesitant to run on him.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/dansby-swanson-max-fried-win-2022-gold-glove-awards|title=Swanson, Fried earn Gold Glove Awards|website=MLB.com}} Since his major league debut in 2017, his 23 pickoffs lead major league baseball, with him having picked the runner off in 14.29% of his career pickoff attempts, a much higher percentage than the major league average of 1.6%.{{Cite web|url=https://www.680thefan.com/2022/11/01/max-fried-dansby-swanson-win-gold-glove-awards/|title=Max Fried, Dansby Swanson Win Gold Glove Awards|date=November 1, 2022|work=Sports Radio Station Atlanta}}

Fried was named the 2022 NL Gold Glove Award winner at pitcher, his third straight Gold Glove Award. He became the first Braves pitcher since Greg Maddux to win three straight Gold Glove Awards.{{Cite web|url=https://www.batterypower.com/2022/11/1/23435515/dansby-swanson-max-fried-gold-glove-award-atlanta-braves|title=Dansby Swanson, Max Fried win Gold Glove Awards|first=Kris|last=Willis|date=November 1, 2022|website=Battery Power}} The only other pitchers who have won the award three times in a row have been Harvey Haddix, Bobby Shantz, Bob Gibson, Phil Niekro, and Zack Greinke.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportstalkatl.com/max-fried-wins-third-consecutive-gold-glove/|title=Max Fried wins third consecutive Gold Glove|first=Alex|last=Lord|date=November 1, 2022|website=SportsTalkATL.com}} Fried finished second in the voting for the 2022 NL Cy Young Award.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/max-fried-second-2022-nl-cy-young-award-voting|title=Fried finishes runner-up in NL Cy Young race|website=MLB.com}} It was the second time in three years he finished in the top five in Cy Young Award voting, as he had finished fifth in 2020.{{cite web | last=Anderson | first=R.J. | title=MLB's top 20 prospects for 2023: Gunnar Henderson, Corbin Carroll top list; Yankees' Anthony Volpe climbs | website=CBSSports.com | date=2022-11-15 | url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlbs-top-20-prospects-for-2023-gunnar-henderson-corbin-carroll-top-list-yankees-anthony-volpe-climbs/ | access-date=2025-06-03}} At the end of the 2022 season, Fried was selected to his third consecutive All-MLB team.{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title=Fried represents Braves on All-MLB Team |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/max-fried-named-to-2022-all-mlb-team |access-date=December 11, 2022 |work=MLB.com |date=December 5, 2022}}

==2023==

Fried's 2023 season salary of $13.5 million was again determined by the arbitration process.{{cite news |title=Pitcher Max Fried loses to Braves in salary arbitration |date=February 4, 2023 |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/35587625/pitcher-max-fried-loses-braves-salary-arbitration |access-date=February 5, 2023 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN}} As the Opening Day starter for the third straight year, Fried was removed in the fourth inning against the Washington Nationals.{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title=Fried exits with left hamstring discomfort, likely headed to IL |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/max-fried-leaves-with-left-hamstring-injury |access-date=April 7, 2024 |work=MLB.com |date=March 30, 2023}}{{cite news |title=Braves lose Max Fried on opening day, beat Nationals 7-2 |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/401471020 |access-date=April 7, 2024 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=March 30, 2023}} He spent time on the 15-day injured list in early April and early May, first for a strained left hamstring, then a strained left forearm.{{cite news |last1=Saxon |first1=Mark |title=Max Fried (hamstring) placed on 15-day IL |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/max-fried-goes-on-il-with-hamstring-injury |access-date=June 6, 2023 |work=MLB.com |date=April 4, 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Toscano |first1=Justin |title=Braves place Max Fried on injured list, recall Bryce Elder to start Wednesday |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/braves-place-max-fried-on-injured-list-recall-bryce-elder/CEHOWZZKVFHRBG3GNOOWOAU3EE/ |access-date=June 6, 2023 |work=Atlanta Journal Constitution |date=April 4, 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Butler |first1=Alex |title=Atlanta Braves place ace pitcher Max Fried on injured list |url=https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/MLB/2023/05/09/Atlanta-Braves-pitcher-Max-Fried-injured-list/9341683641628/ |access-date=June 6, 2023 |work=United Press International |date=May 9, 2023}} On June 5, Fried was transferred to the 60-day injured list.{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title=Could this top prospect start for Braves this weekend? |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/aj-smith-shawver-likely-set-to-make-first-mlb-start |access-date=June 6, 2023 |work=MLB.com |date=June 5, 2023}} He was activated on August 4.{{Cite web |date=August 4, 2023 |title=Braves' Max Fried: Activated ahead of Friday' start |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/braves-max-fried-activated-ahead-of-fridays-start/amp/ |access-date=August 4, 2023 |work=CBS Sports}}

In the 2023 regular season Fried was 8–1 with a 2.55 ERA (the second-lowest in the major leagues among pitchers with at least 14 starts), as in 14 starts he had one shutout, and struck out 80 batters while giving up 18 walks in 77.2 innings. Batters hit .109 against his curveball. Of NL pitchers who pitched 70 or more innings in 2023, he was 2nd in ground ball percentage (57.7%) and lowest hard-hit percentage (24.2%), 3rd in lowest barrel percentage (3.8%), 5th in ERA, 6th in left-on-base percentage (82.3%) and lowest average exit velocity (86.5 mph), 7th in lowest line drive percentage (16.8%), and 9th in home runs/9 innings (0.81).{{Cite web|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=nl&type=8&season=2023&month=0&season1=2023&ind=0&qual=70&sortcol=10&sortdir=default&pagenum=1|title=Major League Leaderboards - 2023 - Pitching|work=FanGraphs Baseball}}

He ended the season as the Braves' career leader in won-loss percentage (.705), second in strikeouts/9 innings pitched (8.835), fourth in strikeouts/walk (3.688), eighth in WHIP (1.163), and 10th in hits per nine innings pitched (8.075).

From the beginning of his first full season in 2019 to the end of the 2023 regular season, Fried recorded 60 wins, the most in the NL and second to Gerrit Cole's 71 victories during this time period.{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title='It's crazy how much I've grown': Fried reflects on 8th Spring Training |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/max-fried-strong-in-2024-spring-training-debut |access-date=February 27, 2024 |work=MLB.com |date=February 26, 2024}} His 25 pickoffs since debuting in 2017 were the most in major league baseball, and in his career he had picked off a runner in 14.5% of his pickoff attempts, much higher than the MLB average during that period of 1.7%.

==2024: All Star==

Fried and the Braves agreed to a one-year $15 million contract for the 2024 season, his final season before free agency.{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title=Fried avoids hearing, Minter gets raise at arbitration deadline |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/braves-avoid-arbitration-with-max-fried-a-j-minter |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=MLB.com |date=January 11, 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Toscano |first1=Justin |title=Braves avoid arbitration with Max Fried and A.J. Minter |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/braves-avoid-arbitration-with-max-fried-and-aj-minter/L3OPQLEUZBDCBJNX4XUDJ7PHWI/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=Atlanta Journal Constitution |date=January 11, 2024}} Fried's streak of Opening Day starts was ended by Spencer Strider.{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title=Fried? Strider? Who should start Opening Day? |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/max-fried-spencer-strider-contending-for-2024-opening-day-start |access-date=April 7, 2024 |work=MLB.com |date=March 18, 2024}}{{cite news |last1=O'Brien |first1=David |title=Braves' Opening Day starter Spencer Strider: Dominant, smart, funny, 'kind of weird' |url=https://theathletic.com/5370249/2024/03/27/braves-spencer-strider-comedian/ |access-date=April 7, 2024 |work=The Athletic |date=March 27, 2024}} In Fried's season debut, the second game of the year against the Philadelphia Phillies, he recorded only two outs.{{cite news |title=Albies, Olson, Ozuna, Harris hit homers, Braves pound 19 hits in 12-4 win over Phillies |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/401568495 |access-date=April 7, 2024 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=March 30, 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title=Braves' high-octane offense bails out Fried in rout |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/ozzie-albies-leads-braves-to-win-over-phillies |access-date=April 7, 2024 |work=MLB.com |date=March 30, 2024}} On April 23, Fried pitched a complete game shutout against the Miami Marlins, facing 29 hitters and throwing 92 pitches for his third career Maddux.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/marlins-vs-braves/2024/04/23/747130/final/box|title=Marlins at Braves April 23, 2024 |author= |date=April 23, 2024 |website=MLB.com |publisher= |access-date=April 24, 2024}} He pitched a scoreless inning for the NL team in the All Star Game, the second of his career.

File:Max Fried Braves 2024.png in 2024]]

In 2024, Fried was 11–10 with one shutout in 29 starts covering 174.1 innings, in which he gave up 146 hits and 57 walks while striking out 166 batters, and led the NL in ground ball percentage (58.8%) while having the second-lowest exit velocity (86.3 mph) and percentage of "hard speed" contact induced (26.1%).[https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=pit&type=8&lg=nl&sortcol=13&sortdir=default&pagenum=1 "2024 Major League Leaders,"] Fangraphs. He had a 3.25 ERA (5th in the NL), with 7.5 hits per 9 innings (7th), 0.64 home runs per 9 innings (4th), and a 1.164 WHIP (8th), keeping opposing batters to a .225 batting average (7th), while on defense he tied for the league lead with a 1.000 fielding percentage. Fried received a qualifying offer from the Braves at the end of the season,{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title=Fried receives qualifying offer from Braves |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/max-fried-braves-qualifying-offer |access-date=November 5, 2024 |publisher=MLB.com |date=November 4, 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Castillo |first1=Jorge |title=Juan Soto among 13 to receive qualifying offers from former teams |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/42196086/juan-soto-13-receive-qualifying-offers-sources-say |access-date=November 5, 2024 |publisher=ESPN.com |date=November 4, 2024}} which he declined.{{cite news |last1=DiComo |first1=Anthony |title=Fried declines qualifying offer as expected |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/max-fried-declines-qualifying-offer-from-braves |access-date=November 19, 2024 |publisher=MLB.com |date=November 19, 2024}}

=New York Yankees (2025–present)=

On December 17, 2024, Fried signed an eight–year, $218 million contract with the New York Yankees. It was the largest contract issued to a left-handed pitcher, and the fourth-largest deal for any pitcher, in MLB history.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/max-fried-yankees-contract|title=Max Fried, Yankees agree to contract: $218 million, 8 years|last=Hoch|first=Bryan |website=MLB.com|date=December 18, 2024|access-date=December 26, 2024}}

Fried made his Yankees debut against the Milwaukee Brewers on March 29, 2025. He pitched 4 {{frac|2|3}} innings, allowed seven hits and two runs, and walked two batters while striking out four.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/aaron-judge-hits-grand-slam-in-multihomer-game|author=Bryan Hoch|title='What a performance': Judge rips 3 of Yanks' club-record 9 HRs|website=mlb.com|access-date=April 9, 2025}} On April 4, he recorded his first win as a Yankee in a 9-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates as he pitched 5 {{frac|2|3}} innings, allowed six hits and one run, and walked just one batter while striking out six.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/max-fried-beats-pirates-for-first-win-with-yankees|author=Bryan Hoch|title=The first of many: Fried beats Bucs as Yanks take opener|website=mlb.com|access-date=April 9, 2025}} On April 9, Fried recorded his sixth career 10+ strikeout game to help the Yankees secure a win against the Detroit Tigers in a 4-3 victory.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401695081/yankees-tigers |title=Yankees vs. Tigers - Box Score - April 9, 2025 |website=ESPN |date=April 9, 2025 |access-date=April 9, 2025}} On April 20, Fried lost a no-hit bid in the Yankees' 4-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays due to a single by Chandler Simpson off the glove of Paul Goldschmidt, when the official scorer changed his sixth-inning call to a hit after originally calling it an error.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/max-fried-s-no-hit-bid-ends-after-scoring-change-vs-rays|author=Jared Greenspan, Brian Murphy|title=Yanks' in-progress no-no ends after earlier error changed to hit|website=mlb.com|access-date=April 20, 2025}} He was named the American League Pitcher of the Month for April, after posting a 5-0 record and 1.19 ERA.{{cite news |last1=Foster |first1=Jason |title=Judge, Alonso power their way to Player of the Month honors |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-monthly-award-winners-for-march-april-2025 |access-date=May 2, 2021 |work=MLB.com |date=May 2, 2025}}

Pitching style

Fried throws a {{convert|94|–|96|mph|adj=on}} four-seam fastball. He also throws two types of a {{convert|74|mph|adj=on}} "plus" curveball (which he patterned after that of Sandy Koufax), an {{convert|85|mph|adj=on}} slider (since 2019), a {{convert|93|mph|adj=on}} sinker, and an {{convert|86|mph|adj=on}} change-up,{{cite web |author1=Eric Sondheimer |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-jul-23-la-sp-0724-sondheimer-20100724-story.html |title=Max Fried picked a good example for his curveball|work=Los Angeles Times |date=July 23, 2010 |access-date=May 17, 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.brooksbaseball.net/landing.php?608331|title=BrooksBaseball.net Player Card: Max Fried|work=Brooks Baseball}} with the curveball resulting in the lowest batting average in 2021 (.160).