TAMPA — The Yankees have a former Purple Sox to thank for his or her new lefty’s bread-and-butter pitch.
Max Fried discovered his curveball from his “baseball mentor,” Reggie Smith, when he was a child attending the longtime outfielder’s baseball academy in California.
Almost 20 years later, the pitch is a giant purpose why Fried landed an eight-year, $218 million contract from the Yankees.
“Everything from hitting to fielding to pitching, [Smith] gave me that knowledge,” Fried, a three-time Gold Glove winner, stated Saturday. “He showed me a bunch of different grips and taught me how to throw it. I’ve been able to take it from there.”
Fried, who supervisor Aaron Boone stated can “spin it in his sleep,” confirmed off a lot of his seven-pitch arsenal Saturday throughout a reside batting apply session at Steinbrenner Discipline, which included placing out Austin Wells twice.
“It’s always good to get back out there and have the competitive juices flowing, get some guys in the box and see how your stuff’s playing,” stated Fried, who was going through hitters for the second time since arriving in Tampa. “It’s early, but got out healthy. Just being able to check all the boxes.”
Boone, who stated Fried has been “a sponge” since he joined the group in December, was inspired by what he noticed within the reside session.
“Liked his intent, focus, compete,” Boone stated. “Worked on the things he wanted to work on. Stuff’s really good. He’s in a good spot.”
A day after Brian Cashman stated he hoped to signal Boone to an extension by the top of spring coaching, the supervisor echoed that sentiment.
“I hope we get it done,” Boone stated. “No place I’d rather be, obviously, doing it with this team, this organization, in front of this fan base. Hopefully, we do get to the finish line with that. Certainly optimistic and hopeful now.”
Marcus Stroman threw “well over 40 pitches” in a bullpen session Saturday, his first since skipping the primary two days of camp.
“[There was] pace to it, stuff was really crisp,” Boone stated. “You could tell he’s ready to go. Thought the command was really good, intensity was good, shapes of pitches were all solid. He looks like he’s in a good spot.”
Yerry De Los Santos was in massive league camp with the Yankees final yr, however this time round he has opened some eyes early.
The reliever, who was added to the 40-man roster throughout the offseason, made some late-season enhancements at Triple-A that confirmed themselves throughout a reside batting apply Saturday afternoon.
“I thought [he] was really good,” Boone stated of the 27-year-old who throws a sinker, slider and splitter and beforehand pitched within the massive leagues for the Pirates.
Jonathan Loáisiga threw about 20 pitches in a lightweight bullpen session Saturday as he continues his restoration from UCL surgical procedure.
