David Fry’s eighth homer lifts Guardians past White Sox

Fry’s power surge in the final stretch

On September 12, 2025, the Cleveland Guardians secured a narrow win over the Chicago White Sox thanks to a solo home run from utility player David Fry. The blast, recorded in the bottom of the fourth inning, traveled 376 feet to left‑field after Fry timed an 86.5 mph cutter from pitcher José Pérez perfectly. The swing generated a 103.1 mph exit velocity and a launch angle of 33 degrees, underscoring Fry’s growing raw power.

It was Fry’s eighth homer of the season, but the significance goes beyond the raw number. His earlier September 2nd knock against the Boston Red Sox was a two‑run shot that narrowed a deficit in the sixth inning. Those two long balls in under two weeks illustrate a pattern of delivering when the lineup needs a spark.

Fry, a 29‑year‑old right‑hander from Colleyville, Texas, came up through Northwestern University before the Milwaukee Brewers drafted him in 2018. After several stints in the minors and a brief major‑league debut, he landed with Cleveland in 2024 and has since become a versatile bench option, capable of covering both infield and outfield spots.

Impact on the Guardians’ playoff push

The Guardians sit near the top of the AL Central as the regular season closes, and every run matters. Fry’s home run not only gave Cleveland an early lead but also relieved pressure on the bullpen, allowing starter Logan Allen to settle into a manageable pitch count. The swing also highlighted an uptick in Fry’s slugging metrics: his isolated power (ISO) has risen to .215 this season, compared with .158 a year earlier.

• Season totals: .250 batting average, 15 RBIs, 8 HRs.
• Last 10 games: .308 average, 4 HRs, 7 RBIs.
• Left‑handed pitching splits: .275 average, 2 HRs.

Those numbers reflect a player who has adjusted his approach, focusing on launch angle and contact quality. In the past month, Fry has averaged a launch angle of 31 degrees—right in the sweet spot for maximizing distance without sacrificing swing speed.

Beyond raw stats, Fry’s presence offers flexibility for manager Stephen Vogt. With injuries to key bench players earlier in the season, Fry’s ability to slot into third base, shortstop, or the outfield has allowed the Guardians to keep their everyday starters healthier and more productive.

As the regular season winds down, Fry’s clutch contributions could prove decisive. If he maintains his current pace—roughly a home run every 13 games—Cleveland could count on 10‑plus more extra‑base hits from a player who started the year as a depth option. The combination of power, versatility, and timing makes his role increasingly vital for a team eyeing a postseason berth.