Yankees Spring Training Notes: Max Fried's first live BP, what Aaron Boone wants in a backup catcher

Yankees spring training rolled on Saturday from Tampa and manager Aaron Boone spoke with the media afterward to talk about a number of topics.

Here are the key things to know from Yankees camp on Saturday:

Max Fried's first live BP

The biggest Yankees acquisition this offseason, Fried threw his first live BP on Saturday and Boone came away from it impressed.

"Liked his intent, focus, compete. Stuff’s really good. He’s in a really good spot," Boone said.

Fried comes to the Yankees after a great 2024 season. He pitched to a 3.25 ERA and 1.164 WHIP across 29 starts for the Braves last year and hopes to bring his elite weak-contact arsenal to a rotation that already boasts Gerrit Cole at the top.

"He’s got such a large arsenal. Watching him as a hitter, it’s the mix of pitches and movement," Boone explained of Fried's pitching. "That fastball that cuts naturally. He’s got a sinker and can work both sides of the plate with it. He’s got a full arsenal and the ability to, on the fly, be able to move his hand a certain way on the ball, it’s been fun to see it up close."

What Boone wants in a backup catcher

There aren't many spots up for grabs on the Yankees' roster but one of them is the backup catcher to Austin Wells. There are plenty of catchers, both experienced and inexperienced, who were invited to Yankees camp.

Boone was asked what he's looking for in a No. 2 catcher during spring training and it's not necessarily someone with major league experience.

"I think there’s a few guys who are capable of grabbing [the spot]," Boone said. "I’m excited for the next wave of catchers that are coming who are jumping off the page this spring in the [live BPs]…they all bring something to the table, have different strengths, weaknesses and we’ll just let that play out for the next six weeks and it may go on beyond that, honestly.

"How they connect to the room, how they connect with pitchers. How they cover their weaknesses…There’s not something specific...I want the best guy when we go on March 27 that is going to help us win games."

Catchers Alex Jackson, Rafael Flores, Omar Martinez and Ronaldo Hernandez were all non-roster invitees while J.C. Escarra and Jesus Rodriguez are on the 40-man already.

Yerry de los Santos one to look out for this spring

Another spot on the Yankees roster that's in flux is in the bullpen. Jake Cousins is ailing and may not be ready for Opening Day, so there's a chance for a pitcher or two to start the regular season on the roster -- and there seems to be one particular arm that has grabbed Boone's attention.

Boone was asked Saturday afternoon about the non-roster invitees and if anyone stands out so far. While the longtime Yankees manager said he needs more time to assess, Yerry de los Santos, who threw his first live BP on Saturday, stood out.

"I like what I’m seeing, without question. There’s a lot of interesting guys that can factor in this year," Boone answered. "De Los Santos who went today was really good. Was sharp. Made some real improvements in the last few months of Triple-A. Locked in some pitches. Today, I thought his sinker, slider and split were all good pitches for him. Commanded how he wanted to. So it’s good to see him looking the way he finished the season in Scranton last year."

After a tough start to his minor league season, de los Santos bounced back to pitch to a 2.89 ERA in both August and September (17 appearances) while picking up four saves along the way. If that carries over into this spring, the 27-year-old might make his roster inclusion inevitable.