Tomahawk Take’s Top 20 Atlanta Braves Prospects: #15-11
13. Max Fried
– by Philip Tapley, Tomahawk Take Staff Writer
Who He Is
Max Fried is a prized LHP in the Braves system, though you may not know a lot about him yet. The 22 year old out of Harvard-Westlake HS in Los Angeles hasn’t yet pitched in the Braves organization, after missing essentially 2014 and 2015 to a torn UCL in his elbow. Fried made 5 starts in 2014 between rookie ball and single-A, but that was amidst a struggle with what was then termed elbow soreness. Ultimately, the problem led to Tommy John surgery in August 2014. That shouldn’t dampen enthusiasm for the young lefty, though. Fried was drafted 7th overall in 2012 by the Padres, and has garnered rave scouting reviews on all 3 of his pitches. Notably, Fried pitched with Nationals top prospect Lucas Giolito in High School.
Fried’s upside is very strong. If healthy, he very likely would not have been available to the Braves in the swap that sent Justin Upton to the Padres and also returned Jace Peterson, Dustin Peterson, and Mallex Smith. His curveball projects as his best Major League pitch, with great depth even when thrown for a strike. His fastball sits in the low 90’s, but lit up radar guns as high as 96 before his injury. His changeup lacks feel according to some scouts, but has also been graded as above average to plus at times. The knocks on his offerings included lack of movement and elite command with the fastball per the 2016 Fangraphs prospect list, and difficulty featuring his off-speed pitches at their top level simultaneously per Atlanta’s own Kiley McDaniels when reviewing midseason prospects. Fried features fluidity and power in his delivery, with clean arm mechanics that will hopefully help him put his elbow problems behind him.
It’s tough to characterize Fried’s professional track record thus far, as he really only has his 19 year old season in single-A to go by. In that 2013 season, he pitched to a 3.49 ERA / 4.04 FIP in 118 innings. Much like Tyrell Jenkins, the Braves would like to see his K/BB rate improve once healthy. He posted 1.79 strikeouts per walk in single-A (100 Ks, 56 BBs, 118 innings).
2016 Projection and Future
As stated, Fried spent ’15 rehabbing from UCL surgery. He will likely begin 2016 in single-A Rome, but don’t be surprised to see a more precautious Gulf Coast League placement to begin the year, either. Fans should expect patience and a strict innings limit in the Braves’ handling of Fried in 2016. He could catch up in his development quickly after that if he meets all of the organizations benchmarks moving forward. Fried has the ceiling of a top of the rotation starter, and the floor of a back end starter if he rebounds as hoped from the elbow injury.
Next: Prospect Number 12