Jordan Hicks has cemented himself as the hardest-throwing pitcher in baseball

The debate is over – Jordan Hicks is the hardest throwing pitcher in baseball.

For the last several years, there has never been a debate about what pitcher throws the hardest in the Majors; that label’s belonged to Aroldis Chapman, and for good reason.

Ever since Chapman hit 105.1 mph as a rookie in 2010, he’s been the undisputed king of the heater. Chapman has carried the title as baseball’s fastest pitcher proudly throughout this decade, having led the league in average fastball velocity every year he’s been in the MLB.

He’s been so consistent at running up the radar gun that MLB Statcast’s Fastest Pitches leaderboard has a “Chapman Filter“, giving fans the chance to see the fastest pitches in the league not thrown by the 30-year old Cuban Missile (Chapman threw the 23 hardest-pitches last year).

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However, 2018 marks the year Chapman no longer reigns as Major League Baseball’s hardest-throwing pitcher. It’s not because he no longer throws hard — in fact, his fastest pitch this year (104.4) is a touch better than last season (104.3), but for the first time in his career he doesn’t have the league lead in fastest pitch nor average pitch velocity.

If the name Jordan Hicks is new to you, then you clearly haven’t been paying attention to baseball this year, because the St. Louis Cardinals rookie has usurped Chapman as the fastest pitcher in the game. Hicks has thrown three pitches harder than Chapman’s season-best, and holds the fastest pitch of the season at 105.1 mph, which is tied for the all-time fastest baseball pitch (although Chapman did  touch 106 mph once).

Hicks’ two fastest pitches this season were delivered back-to-back to Odubel Herrera of the Philadelphia Phillies, and the at-bat was one of the most astonishing moments of the MLB season.

Not only is Hicks’ sinker the fastest average pitch in the MLB (100.4 mph), but he also holds the second- and third-fastest averages pitches in his 4-seamer and 2-seamer, which both sit at a cool 100.2 mph. Twitter pitching guru Rob Friedman has an entire gif library of Hicks on the mound, allowing fans to see Hicks’ flamethrower arsenal at its best. Simply take a look at his feature pitch, the sinker, in action.

One pitcher having three different types pitches that all rank atop the league’s hardest average velocity is unprecedented, and watching Hicks’ electric arm in action makes it even harder to believe he’s a real human being. His triple-digit stuff is unbelievable in itself, but it becomes more elusive when he mixes in off-speed such as his sweeping slider.

The bottom line of Friedman’s caption couldn’t be any more accurate. When Hicks mixes his pitches with accuracy he’s untouchable, which is why it’s somewhat surprising he has a 3.01 ERA because one would think it would be impossible to ever get a hit off him. Hicks has had a good overall rookie season, tallying 60 K’s across 65 appearances with a .207 opp. average.

Control has been the youngster’s Achilles’ heel this season, having walked 36 batters in 68.2 innings for an unfavourable 4.72 BB/9 and a 1.28 WHIP that would be significantly lower with fewer base on balls. However, the 22-year old has lots of time to figure his control out, and once he can consistently place his fastest pitches within the zone it’ll lead to an astronomical spike in his 7.86 K/9 innings.

This season Hicks has served as a set-up man, but current closer Bud Norris‘ heavy workload has caused him to scuffle as of late with a 7.88 ERA and 2.00 WHIP in the last 30 days. This might entice the Cardinals to give Hicks the ball more often in the 9th inning, especially since the Los Angeles Dodgers are only a game back from St. Louis for the second Wild Card spot.

Jordan Hicks could have the opportunity to be a big-time contributor for his club down the stretch as the Cards look to make the playoffs fuelled by a second-half surge. It would be a treat for baseball fans to see Hicks baffle hitters with his blazing heat in nationally televised October games.