Max Fried
Max Fried may not factor in right away in 2018, depending on spring training outcomes, but he is one of the Braves prospect pitchers I am most high on. Max Fried’s 2017 AA stint was a maddening campaign for some, but Max Fried’s underlying performance in AA always looked good. He logged a 3.78 xFIP despite an unfortunate 5.92 ERA.
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Throughout his MLB stint, Max Fried showed tantalizing stuff. Max Fried can get to success in a few different ways. He offers three above-average pitches, starting with his low-to-mid 90s fastball. He gets separation with an above average changeup. Finally, Fried spins a true hammer curve that always rated as one of the best in the Braves system. Even when Fried isn’t missing bats, he is an extreme groundball pitcher. Fried coaxed grounders on 69 percent of his ground balls, 65 percent of his changeups and 60 percent of his curveballs. With a good to excellent infield defense behind him, Max Fried has multiple tools for success.
There’s more, but that will do.
All told, I think the Atlanta Braves can be one of the top three most exciting teams in baseball this year. Success is not assured nor even very likely, but regardless of the outcome of 2018, it will be a thrilling voyage.
Next: Will these new MLB rule changes speed the game up?
Oh, and hi, I’m Dustin. I’m excited to be here and write about that which I love: baseball.