Max Fried Dominating as Yankees’ Ace Early in 2025 Season
New York Yankees left-hander Max Fried is making an early case as baseball’s top pitcher this season. Following the Yankees’ 3-0 shutout win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night, Fried continued his dominant stretch, lowering his ERA to an MLB-best 1.01.
The 31-year-old was nearly flawless, throwing seven scoreless innings, striking out six, and allowing just a single hit. His WHIP now sits at an impressive 0.94.
“He’s just so versatile out there, and it continues to show up for us,” said Yankees manager Aaron Boone.
Fried’s start to the season has been historically significant. Since 1913, when earned runs became an official stat in both leagues, only one other left-handed pitcher—Fernando Valenzuela of the 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers—has recorded more wins than earned runs allowed over his first seven starts with a new team. Fried has six wins and has surrendered just five earned runs so far.
Reflecting on his hot start, Fried credited the team culture: “I’ve got great teammates that have welcomed me since day one in spring.”
Named the American League Pitcher of the Month in April, Fried hasn’t allowed an earned run since an outing against the Kansas City Royals on April 15. He is currently 6-0, leading all MLB pitchers in wins.
Armed with a seven-pitch arsenal, Fried continues to keep hitters guessing, no matter where he pitches. At Yankee Stadium, he’s posted a 2.08 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in three games, striking out 14 while allowing 17 hits and six walks. On the road, he’s been even more dominant, with a microscopic 0.44 ERA and 0.79 WHIP while tossing 20.1 innings of one-run baseball and striking out 19.
In his career against American League opponents, Fried owns a 20-3 record and a 1.73 ERA across 28 starts—underscoring just how well he’s adjusted to the new league.
Against division rival Tampa Bay this season, Fried has been virtually untouchable. Over two starts, he’s thrown 14.2 scoreless innings while surrendering only three hits and four walks, alongside eight strikeouts. In his most recent outing versus the Rays, he went 7.2 innings without allowing a run and lost a no-hitter late in the game due to a scoring change.
The Yankees turned to Fried in the offseason after missing out on superstar Juan Soto, signing the lefty to an eight-year, $218 million deal. That investment appears to be paying immediate dividends.
With Gerrit Cole sidelined for the entire 2025 season, Fried has seamlessly stepped into the ace role. Alongside stars like Aaron Judge, he’s been a driving force behind the Yankees’ surge to the top of the AL East in the early going of the season.
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