Atlanta Braves pitcher Max Fried made his case to remain in the starting rotation after a brilliant performance Thursday night against the Chicago Cubs.
Fried allowed only one hit and delivered five strikeouts in six-innings of work in his 2019 season debut.
Max Fried is not fair. --pic.twitter.com/gXZgPmGYps
— FOX Sports South (@FOXSportsSouth) April 5, 201992.9 The Game's Braves beat reporter, Joe Patrick, joined Andy Bunker and Bryant McFadden and said Fried's outing not only impressed him but also his Braves teammates.
"I'm really impressed with Max's demeanor," Patrick said. "There was a buzz in the clubhouse after his performance and just the way that guys were so impressed with the way he was pitching. I mean, even Nick Markakis, who's out there in right field, said that he was just mesmerized watching this performance."
Brian McCann, who was catching for Fried, compared him to a young Cole Hamels.
"The way he was able to control the ball; only threw 88 pitches through six-innings so that's good news for all Braves fans," Patrick said.
Did Max Fried make a case to be a regular starter in the Braves rotation?
"I mean, if he pitches like that last night, that's the best starting pitching performance the Braves have seen this season," Patrick continued. "I don't really think you can keep him out of the rotation."
"The more he pitches like that, I think the more Brian Snitker is going to want to keep him in a starting role so that he can build up that arm and get him ready to go those longer distances."
