Atlanta Braves News: Max Fried named to All-MLB Second Team

The 2022 All-MLB Team announcement happened Monday night and it was full of some of the best players of our current era. It was uncertain if any Atlanta Braves would be named to the team but Max Fried rightfully was named to the second team for starting pitching.

Fried was in great company with the likes of Julio Urias, Dylan Cease, Aaron Nola, Max Scherzer, Ryan Helsley, and Ryan Pressly. The Atlanta southpaw had an incredible season in 2022 as he finished second in the NL Cy Young race behind Sandy Alcantara.

He was able to match his win total from 2021 as he finished with an identical 14-7 win-loss record in 2022. His ERA was an impressive 2.48 across 185.1 innings (which was 20.1 innings more than he pitched in 2021).

Here’s a quick rundown of Fried’s stats in 2022: 

H: 156

ER: 51

BB: 32

K: 170

ERA+: 164

FIP: 2.70

Those stats definitely separate Fried from other players across the league and shows just how valuable he is to the Atlanta Braves. While the season ended in a disappointing manner for Fried and the Braves, it’s safe to assume he will be just as good in 2023.

According to FanGraphs, Fried set career highs in a few areas:

BB/9 at 1.55 (2nd in NL)
xERA at 2.85 (4th in NL)
FIP at 2.70 (3rd in NL)
xFIP at 3.09 (4th in NL)
fWAR at 5.0 (4th in NL)

Much of his success came from fastball command and velocity being consistent and that allowed his curveball to be more effective. He was also incredibly effective at stranding runners on base with a career third-best at 78.2% in 2022.

Fried was also awarded a third-consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove Award. He certainly had a season to remember and it’s incredible to think this is just the beginning of what he is able to do. There could be a Cy Young Award in the near future for the California native.

Here’s a full list of the All-MLB First and Second teams:

First Team infield
C: J.T. Realmuto, Phillies
1B: Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals
2B: Jose Altuve, Astros
SS: Trea Turner, Dodgers
3B: Manny Machado, Padres

First Team DH
Yordan Alvarez, Astros

First Team outfield
Aaron Judge, Yankees
Mookie Betts, Dodgers
Mike Trout, Angels

First Team starting pitchers
Sandy Alcantara, Marlins
Shohei Ohtani, Angels
Justin Verlander, Astros
Framber Valdez, Astros
Alek Manoah, Blue Jays

First Team relievers
Edwin Díaz, Mets
Emmanuel Clase, Guardians

Second Team starting pitchers
SP: Julio Urías, Dodgers
SP: Dylan Cease, White Sox
SP: Max Fried, Braves
SP: Aaron Nola, Phillies
SP: Max Scherzer, Mets

Second Team relievers
RP: Ryan Helsley, Cardinals
RP: Ryan Pressly, Astros

Second Team infield
C: Will Smith, Dodgers
1B: Freddie Freeman, Dodgers
2B: Andrés Giménez, Guardians
SS: Francisco Lindor, Mets
3B: Nolan Arenado, Cardinals

Second Team DH
DH: Shohei Ohtani, Angels

Second Team outfield 
OF: Julio Rodríguez, Mariners
OF: Kyle Schwarber, Phillies
OF: Kyle Tucker, Astros