Max Fried doesn’t look like a youngster competing for his spot. He presents like the seasoned veteran topping a pitching staff.
The 25-year-old lefty’s mastery didn’t dissipate in the Rocky Mountain air. He glided through six innings, allowing one unearned run, helping the Braves defeat the Rockies 7-1 and claim their third consecutive series win.
“I wanted to attack them, get ahead, throw some curveballs, sliders and change-ups, keep them off-balance,” Fried said, adding he noticed the climate made little difference in his breaking pitches during a bullpen session.
Fried has proven he belongs. He hasn’t allowed an earned run in 13-2/3 innings, the last 12 of which have come as a starter. He’s struck out nine and walked just three. His off-speed repertoire has perfectly complemented his mid-90s heater. The Braves offense gave him comfort in the early going, starting with another Ronald Acuna homer.
“I love the guy,” first baseman Freddie Freeman said of Fried. “That left arm, those kind of special talents don’t come around (often). He’s off to a great start. Pitching like that at Coors Field, it was impressive.”
Fried was almost as pristine as he was five days ago against Chicago, when he tossed six one-hit innings. He allowed five hits this time, still rarely finding himself in stressful situations.
“He was really good again,” manager Brian Snitker said. “Loved his fastball command. … Overall, that was very impressive when you can go out and go six innings in this park against that lineup. To do what he did was pretty good.”
His biggest test came in the third, when Freeman came through with the assist. Fried gave up a lead-off double and opposing starter German Marquez reached on a bunt. Yonathan Diaz lined out to Freeman, who promptly touched first for a crucial unassisted double play.
Fried struck out Raimel Tapia. Inning over.
The fourth brought in the unearned run. Nolan Arenado opened with a single. Trevor Story grounded into a force out before advancing on a passed ball. Ian Desmond’s single scored him.
It could’ve gotten worse when Fried’s error on a pick-off attempt moved Desmond to third. But he struck out Josh Fuentes and won a six-pitch at-bat with Garrett Hampson, who popped out to Freeman.
“It got a little bit shaky,” Fried said. “I just tried to lock back in, focus. Flow (catcher Tyler Flowers) helped me out a lot back there. He was spectacular.”
This has been a long time coming for Fried. Acquired in the Justin Upton trade of 2014, Fried was among the glut of promising arms ushered in during the great rebuild. He debuted in 2017, directly from Double-A, but hasn’t established himself at the highest level.
Be it due to the pitching surplus or recurring blisters, the Braves haven’t inserted Fried into their permanent plans. Maybe that’s changed; being the team’s best starter will do that.
“He was tremendous,” shortstop Dansby Swanson said. “Once again able to pound the strike zone with multiple pitches. … He’s fun to play behind.”
The Los Angeles native entered the night with a 2.54 ERA across 10 career starts. He’s allowed six hits in 49 plate appearances this season.
“He’s been good,” Flowers said. “He’s doing everything you’d want to see out of a young guy. I think especially in this environment (Denver), it can play some mental games on you. Especially being young and trying to solidify yourself as a starter. I thought he did a great job blocking that out and worry about executing pitches.”
The Braves have rotation decisions looming. Mike Foltynewicz will soon return from the injured list. Mike Soroka, who’s healthy, will enter the conversation. Touki Toussaint and Bryse Wilson will factor in. Kyle Wright is coming off a solid outing against the Marlins and certainly isn’t going away.
One thing that’s evident: Fried will stay in the rotation for the foreseeable future. Whatever decisions the Braves make with their starters, they shouldn’t involve their budding southpaw.
