David Fry. Wait, excuse me: All-Star David Fry.
…
In November 2021, Cleveland traded J.C. Mejia to the Milwaukee Brewers for a player to be named later. That following March, it was announced that 26-year-old catcher and utility player David Fry was that player. The former seventh-round pick had yet to make his major league debut.
…
Two years later, he was a major cog in a Cleveland team that opened the season with a 40-20 record. At one point, he went on a 14-game streak where he was only the third player in history to tally at least five home runs, 15 RBIs, 10 walks, three steals, a 1.400 OPS, fewer than five strikeouts, and 12 team wins, according to OptaSTATS. He went into the All-Star break carrying a .853 OPS, 142 sOPS+, and his first All-Star selection.
…
But baseball is hard. And the league catches up to you. Fry struggled in the second half, with a .723 OPS and 101 sOPS+
…
Of course, most fans will forgive his second-half slide because of his performance in the playoffs. He hit a key home run in Game 4 of the ALDS and an extra-innings walk-off two-run homer in Game 3 of the ALCS. It was a thrilling game.
…
It’s been tough sailing for David Fry since. He missed the beginning of the 2025 season because of elbow surgery. When he came back to the club in May, he only hit 171/.229/.363 with eight home runs. His season ended in late September, when a 99-mile-per-hour Tarik Skubal fastball hit his face.