New York Yankees: Aroldis Chapman Bests Own Record for Fastest Pitch
So New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman can throw a baseball pretty hard…
When the Yankees acquired reliever Aroldis Chapman from the Reds over the offseason, they knew they were getting a closer that featured one of the strongest arms in the game. Nobody, however, could have possibly known just how strong that arm really is. The left-hander set the Major League record for the fastest recorded pitch in the history of the game (well, since radar guns were introduced I suppose) with a 105 mph fastball against Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy on Monday night during the ninth inning.
Chapman has thrown 304 pitches 102 mph or more over the past seven seasons, 259 more than the rest of the league combined. The previous record was 104 mph, held by none other than Chapman himself. In his outing against the Orioles Monday night, Chapman threw five pitches that we at least 104 mph. Needless to say, the man was on his game.
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After missing the first 30 games of the season with a suspension for a domestic violence incident that occurred over the offseason, Chapman hasn’t missed a beat. Owner of 2.30 ERA, the Yankees closer has gone a nearly perfect 18-for-19 in save opportunities. While New York has struggled to stay competitive in the AL East race, their closer has not disappointed.
Subject to an increasing amount of trade rumors, the likelihood that Chapman will be pitching in a different jersey by the end of the season is growing more and more apparent by the day. He has been connected to several competitive clubs including the likes of the Indians, Nationals, and Cubs. So while the Yankees most likely won’t be making a run at the pennant, the chances of seeing Chapman go to work this October are still very high.
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Whomever does end up with the Cuban star will be adding one of the most powerful arms in the game to their relief corps. Essentially the Giancarlo Stanton of the pitching market, there’s little doubt Chapman would take home the Fastball Derby title if the MLB decided to create one. At 28-years old, there is still seemingly plenty left in the tank for Chapman to keep on pumping fastballs out of that cannon he calls an arm. Who knows, maybe next week we’ll be talking about how he’s hitting 106 on the radar gun. The bigger question may not be whether or not he throws it, but what team he’s playing for when he does.