Lefty Fried focuses on mental approach for boost
NORTH PORT, Fla. — Max Fried throws a firm fastball and features a sharp curve, keys to a breakout season last year with the Atlanta Braves.
Moving ahead, he’s focusing on a few other factors that aren’t so easily apparent.
Fried has been working on meditation. He believes in visualization. He incorporates breathing into his movements while working out, also using it as a way to calm down and relax.
“I think a big step I can take is taking the mental game to the next level,” Fried said. “There’s only so much your body can do before you break down. Meditation
helps because there’s a of stress on the field, high pressure. You have to find ways to calm yourself down and take a relaxed approach.”
At 26, the left-hander has already made huge strides.
Fried went 17-6 with a 4.02 ERA last season as Atlanta won its second straight NL East title. In 30 starts and 165 2/3 innings, he walked just 47 while striking out 173.
From being open to new ideas, plus working with a good support system and a psychologist, Fried has learned to prepare, yet adapt.
“I noticed the more preparation I did and the more prepared I was, it felt easier and fun,” he said. “But you can go in and have all the plans in the world but if that first hitter hits a home run, things change real quick. You can’t be too set on a game plan. It’s a game where you have to make adjustments, some that are completely opposite of what the planning was before the game.”
“The more experiences you have, good and bad, the better. They give you different perspectives and you grow from it,” he said.