max fried jack flaherty

Daniel Parker

2 min read

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24-02-2025

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Max Fried vs. Jack Flaherty: A Tale of Two Aces

Max Fried and Jack Flaherty represent a fascinating dichotomy in modern pitching. Both possess electric stuff and the potential for dominance, but their paths to success, injury histories, and overall styles differ significantly. This article will dive deep into their careers, comparing their strengths, weaknesses, and future prospects.

Max Fried: The Consistent Grinder

Max Fried, a left-handed pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, has established himself as a reliable ace. While he might not possess the raw power of some of his contemporaries, his command, diverse pitch mix, and consistent performance make him a nightmare for opposing batters.

Fried's Strengths:

• Command and Control: Fried’s ability to consistently hit his spots is arguably his greatest asset. He rarely walks batters, leading to fewer stressful situations. This precision allows him to effectively use all four of his pitches.
• Pitch Mix: Fried’s arsenal includes a curveball, slider, changeup, and four-seam fastball. The diverse mix keeps hitters off balance and prevents them from sitting on one specific pitch. The changeup, in particular, is a devastating weapon against right-handed hitters.
• Durability (relatively speaking): While not immune to injury, Fried has generally been more durable than Flaherty throughout his career. This consistency allows the Braves to rely on him as a workhorse.

Fried's Weaknesses:

• Velocity: While his fastball sits in the mid-90s, it's not overpowering. He relies more on movement and deception than sheer velocity to dominate hitters.
• Injury History: While generally durable, Fried has experienced some injury setbacks, primarily stemming from shoulder issues. Maintaining his health is key to his continued success.

Jack Flaherty: The High-Ceiling, High-Risk Option

Jack Flaherty, a right-handed pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles, boasts arguably more raw talent than Fried. His power fastball and devastating breaking balls can overpower hitters on any given day. However, injuries have significantly hampered his career trajectory.

Flaherty's Strengths:

• Power Stuff: Flaherty’s fastball regularly touches 98 mph, and his curveball is one of the best in baseball when he's healthy. This combination can completely overwhelm hitters.
• High Potential: When healthy, Flaherty is capable of elite performance. His ceiling is arguably higher than Fried’s. He can be an absolute game-changer.
• Developing Secondary Pitches: Flaherty's changeup has shown improvement in recent years. This added dimension makes him a more versatile and unpredictable pitcher.

Flaherty's Weaknesses:

• Injury Prone: This is arguably Flaherty's biggest obstacle. He's battled a series of injuries, including shoulder and oblique issues, significantly limiting his appearances. His health is a major question mark.
• Consistency: Even when healthy, Flaherty has struggled with consistency. He can dominate one start and then struggle mightily the next.

Fried vs. Flaherty: A Head-to-Head Comparison

The Future:

Both pitchers have the potential for greatness. Fried's consistency and durability make him a cornerstone for the Braves. Flaherty, if he can remain healthy, could eclipse Fried's achievements. However, his injury history makes that a significant "if." The next few years will be crucial in determining which pitcher ultimately leaves a more lasting legacy. The battle between these two aces is far from over.