Max Fried Named AL Pitcher of Month for April

Max Fried has been a standout performer for the New York Yankees in the opening month of the 2025 MLB season, earning the American League Pitcher of the Month award after posting a 5-0 record and a 1.19 ERA across six starts. His dominance has been crucial, especially in the absence of injured ace Gerrit Cole, with the Yankees going undefeated in games he has started. Fried's versatility—demonstrated by both high strikeout games and groundball-heavy outings—has solidified his role as the team's ace and justified his eight-year, $218 million contract. The Yankees' rotation beyond Fried and Carlos Rodón remains inconsistent, putting extra pressure on the bullpen, which has generally performed well despite some struggles at closer. Overall, Fried's electric start has been a key factor in the Yankees leading the AL East and maintaining one of the league’s best records.