New York Yankees ace Max Fried has been everything the team envisioned and more during his first season in the Bronx. He’s currently leading the league with nine wins and is third in the league with a 1.89 ERA.
While spending time giving back to the community, Fried revealed a funny fact about his imposing teammate.
Max Fried Calls Giancarlo Stanton the Scariest Hitter He’s Faced
While interacting with some children during HOPE week, Fried was asked about the toughest hitters he’s faced in his career and named Stanton as the “scariest guy” he’s faced while pitching. Fried faced off with his future teammate a handful of times while they were National League East rivals, as Fried pitched for the Atlanta Braves and Stanton pitched for the Miami Marlins.
“I think Giancarlo is probably the scariest guy that I’ve ever faced.”
– Max Fried to HOPE Week kids Carmine & Vincent Gagliano on his toughest ABs 💙 pic.twitter.com/P7jPEN6AXN
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) June 19, 2025
Stanton has had great success in his career against Fried, with three hits in seven at-bats, a home run, and two runs batted in. At 6’6 and 250 pounds, Stanton developed a reputation in Miami as arguably the most intimidating hitter for a left-handed pitcher to face. Stanton has a career .893 OPS against left-handers and hits the baseball harder than nearly everyone in the sport.
The Yankees are celebrating HOPE week, which stands for Helping Others Persevere & Excel. The team honors different people and organizations each day to promote the benefits of goodwill. The team celebrates HOPE week by honoring the nonprofit organization, “Love, Nana.” The organization was founded by Joan Hyland, who creates baby care packages for families in need.
Aaron Judge, Paul Goldschmidt, Luke Weaver, Jonathan Loáisiga, Fernando Cruz, Ryan Yarbrough and Ian Hamilton, along with Third Base Coach Luis Rojas, First Base Coach Travis Chapman, Bullpen Coach Mike Harkey and Assistant Pitching Coach Preston Claiborne joined Hyland, her… pic.twitter.com/q17ObyuIwR
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) June 16, 2025
The team then stopped by Bottomless Closer, a nonprofit organization that helps women with limited resources as they prepare to find employment. The Yankees also honored the Valerie Fund, a nonprofit organization that supports children dealing with cancer.
Carlos Rodón, Ben Rice, Austin Wells, Luis Gil, and Tanner Swanson along with some of their family members and significant others helped clients at Bottomless Closet select workplace clothing, assisted in unpacking inventory at the facility, and helped clients prepare for… pic.twitter.com/mKwpK1dDGC
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) June 17, 2025
Now that Stanton is healthy, the Yankees are counting on him to take pressure off Aaron Judge and help them win the MLB World Series. He’s gotten off to a good start since returning after dealing with severe elbow pain, and Fried and the rest of Stanton’s teammates are hoping he can cause nightmares for other teams.