SPEED KING

The incredible Aroldis Chapman stands alone for pure velocity and durability

- By J.J. COOPER

In his fourth appearance of the 2025 season, Red Sox lefthander Aroldis Chapman threw a 101.4 mph fastball.

By his standards, that’s not a particularly noteworthy achievement. At the time he threw it, the pitch was tied for the 31st fastest in the majors.

Chapman had thrown 1,497 pitches faster than that in his MLB career.

But the pitch extended a streak that seems hard to fathom. Chapman has now thrown a fastball 100 mph or harder in 16 consecutive seasons. Going back to his rookie year in 2010, Chapman has reached triple-digits each and every season. Fans today are watching one of the most remarkable and durable arms in history.

Throwing 100 mph is remarkable, though it feels more commonplace now than it did when Chapman amazed everyone with his exceptional velocity as a Reds rookie in 2010.

Throwing 100 mph year after year and staying healthy is something that just doesn’t happen. Throwing 100 mph or harder is like asking a pitcher to hit their rev limiter. Most pitchers will eventually blow out.

In a 16-season MLB career, Chapman has had a broken eye socket due to a comebacker. He’s missed time with a sore knee and another time with Achilles tendinitis. He even missed time with an infected tattoo. And in 2016 he was suspended for 30 games by MLB after an accusation of domestic violence.

But in 16 seasons, Chapman has spent 11 days on the injured list with a sore left elbow and a month on the IL another time with rotator cuff soreness. Those are the only times his arm or shoulder has balked at throwing pitch after pitch at velocities that make ulnar collateral ligaments shudder.

Other than the shortened 2020 season, Chapman has made at least 40 appearances in every year from 2011 to 2024. His 800-plus appearances are second most among active players, behind only active saves leader Kenley Jansen. Chapman was closing in on the top 50 all time.