Although the Yankees recently dropped a series to the Detroit Tigers, their 2025 campaign is off to a promising start. Aaron Judge has been on fire at the plate, but he also took a moment to highlight Max Fried’s emergence as the team’s de facto ace in Gerrit Cole’s absence.
“Gerrit Cole is one of a kind,” Judge told the Daily News. “Everyone in this clubhouse knows how important he is. But having a guy like Fried—who was the ace in Atlanta for years—step into that role for us has been incredible. He’s been lights out. We want No. 54 on the mound as often as possible.”
Max Fried’
Yankees manager Aaron Boone echoed that sentiment, praising Fried’s competitive edge and leadership on the mound.
“He really delivered for us, helping us avoid a sweep,” Boone said. “What stands out is how much he embraces the moment. He thrives in high-pressure situations. He’s got a deep arsenal and knows how to win in different ways. That was a huge performance.”
Filling in for an injured Cole is no easy task, but so far, Fried has risen to the challenge.
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