'Cuban missile' Aroldis Chapman (37, Boston Red Sox) is showing his strength by throwing a fastball at 164 km/h. Although he has now become a veteran in his late 30s, his speed remains unchanged. With performances on par with his prime, his trade value has also increased.
Chapman recorded his 12th save of the season by stepping in as a relief pitcher in the 9th inning of a home game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, held on the 12th (Korea time), throwing a perfect inning with two strikeouts and no runs, securing a 4-3 victory for Boston.
With a one-point lead, Chapman took the mound and handled the first batter, Christopher Morel, with a ground ball to third on the first pitch before striking out Taylor Walls and Josh Lowe with consecutive swing-and-misses. He induced a swing-and-miss against Walls with a splitter and against Lowe with an outside high fastball.
Notably, the last pitch he threw against Lowe was measured at 102.1 mph (164.3 km/h). He threw a total of 11 pitches, with six being four-seam fastballs, averaging 99.6 mph (160.3 km/h). His sinker was also clocked at a high of 101.6 mph (163.5 km/h), showing impressive power.
As of that day, Chapman has recorded a 1.59 ERA with 3 wins, 2 losses, 12 saves, and 1 hold in 31 games this season. He has dominated hitters, striking out 39 in 28⅓ innings, and his WHIP stands at 0.88 with an opponent batting average of .160, making it challenging for opposing hitters to make contact.
Given that Chapman, born in 1988, has turned 37, his performance is remarkable. What’s even more astonishing is his unchanged speed. This year, his average fastball speed is 99.1 mph (159.5 km/h), placing him in the top 2% of the league. His swing-and-miss rate is also at 37.2%, ranking in the top 3%.
The Cuban left-handed fireballer Chapman made his debut with the Cincinnati Reds in 2010, then played for the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers, and Pittsburgh Pirates. He has played 16 seasons with 827 games (788⅓ innings), recording 58 wins, 47 losses, 347 saves, 64 holds, a 2.59 ERA, and 1,285 strikeouts.
On September 25, 2010, Chapman shocked everyone by throwing the fastest pitch in Major League history at 105.8 mph (170.3 km/h) against the San Diego Padres. He established himself as an elite closer, boasting seven All-Star selections and two World Series championships. After leaving the Yankees following the 2022 season, he has performed commendably from the bullpen under a one-year free agent deal this year with Boston, throwing pitches reminiscent of his prime.
At 193 cm and 106 kg, Chapman has an impressive physique. He hasn't undergone any arm or shoulder surgeries throughout his long career, indicating his durability. He trains hard, maintaining a muscular physique through intense weight training. Yankees teammate pitcher Zack Britton, who trained with Chapman during the pandemic in 2020, remarked, 'Chapman is a physical specimen. He is incredibly flexible, and his arm is like a whip. It's unbelievable. He has a body that transcends natural and physical standards.'
Even after five years, Chapman’s muscular body has changed little, and his speed has not dropped at all. In an interview with the New York Post on the 7th, Chapman shared his secret to speed, saying, 'There’s nothing special. I just train hard and want to help the team win to get back to the postseason.'
However, Boston is struggling at 34 wins and 36 losses (.486 winning percentage), ranking 4th in the American League (AL), making it uncertain if they will reach the postseason. The New York Post forecasted, 'If Boston falls out of postseason contention, Chapman could become a desirable card in the trade market. Many teams looking to bolster their bullpen in the next month or two will likely put Chapman back at the center of trade discussions.' Having obtained a championship ring after being traded from Kansas City to Texas in 2023, Chapman, revived as a closer this summer, is expected to further increase his trade value.
[OSEN]