Left-handed reliever Aroldis Chapman has made pitches of 100 miles per hour (MPH) or faster with his signature in the playoffs. Since the Statcast era began, no other pitcher has recorded as many pitches at that speed in October, and his numbers show that his power does more than just impress; it intimidates opposing batters.

In postseason baseball, where every single pitch can mean the difference between advancing and being eliminated, velocity is an incredibly valuable asset, and when it comes to power on the mound, one name stands out above the rest: Aroldis Chapman. The current Boston Red Sox closer is the king of velocity in the playoffs, having thrown more than 300 pitches at 100+ MPH

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According to research conducted via the website Baseball Savant and confirmed by the statistics department of our media outlet, Swing Completo, Aroldis Chapman has recorded 329 pitches of 100+ mph in the postseason since 2008 (the year MLB began tracking pitch data). This is the highest total ever recorded by any pitcher in the postseason.

This figure highlights an extraordinary ability to maintain extreme velocity in baseball’s highest-pressure environments. Reaching 100 mph is a challenge for any pitcher; doing so repeatedly in October, against the best lineups and with every at-bat charged with tension, makes the Cuban pitcher’s achievement truly exceptional.

Aroldis Chapman’s velocity makes the difference

Aroldis Chapman’s numbers take on even greater significance when looking at his total volume of postseason pitches. According to the provided statistics, the left-hander has thrown 906 pitches in the postseason, 329 of which reached or exceeded 100 mph. This means that approximately 36.3% of his playoff pitches hit that speed. In other words, more than one out of every three pitches he has thrown in the postseason has surpassed the 100 mph mark.

This ratio illustrates the uniqueness of his repertoire. We are not just talking about a pitcher capable of occasionally reaching extraordinary speeds but rather a reliever who has turned that power into a recurring feature of his performances in October.

The pitcher with the second-highest number of 100+ MPH pitches in the postseason (since 2008) is Jacob Misiorowski (154). However, the young phenom from the Brewers is a starter. Among relievers, following the Cuban pitcher are Brusdar Graterol (106), Edgardo Henríquez (77), Kelvin Herrera (71), Trevor Rosenthal (65), José Alvarado (55), and Mason Miller (54). The gap between Aroldis Chapman and other pitchers in the same role is enormous.

Batters also struggle against 100 MPH pitches

Velocity alone does not guarantee success. Nevertheless, in the case of the Cuban "fireballer", the results against his fastest pitches back up his reputation. Opposing batters have managed a batting average of just .157 against his 100+ MPH offerings, recording only 14 hits in 89 official at-bats.

This figure highlights just how difficult it is to make solid contact against a fastball that reaches the plate at such speed. The limited time available to recognize the pitch, calculate its trajectory, and execute a swing significantly narrows the batter's window for reaction.

Furthermore, Aroldis Chapman combines velocity with the natural advantage of being a left-handed pitcher, a factor that can make facing him even more challenging for certain batters. When he manages to locate his pitches and maintain control, his fastball becomes a tool capable of dominating in crucial at-bats.

The power of Aroldis Chapman’s fastball on the most demanding stage

The postseason requires more than just talent. The pressure, the preparation of opposing teams, and the significance of every inning force pitchers to find ways to prevail in high-stakes situations. Aroldis Chapman has built much of his identity around the power of his arm. His ability to consistently exceed 100 mph has made him one of the most recognizable relief pitchers of his generation and a standard-bearer when discussing velocity in modern baseball.

Here is the number of pitches clocked at 100+ mph that Aroldis Chapman recorded during each of the postseasons in which he has appeared throughout his Major League career:

• 2010 (20)
• 2012 (11)
• 2016 (151)
• 2017 (66)
• 2018 (7)
• 2019 (8)
• 2020 (5)
• 2023 (46)
• 2025 (15)
• 2026 (0)

He didn’t see much action in the postseason this year, and although he didn’t reach 100 mph, he did hit 98 mph on six occasions.

Regarding the speed and power of Aroldis Chapman’s arm, former Yankees manager Joe Girardi remarked: "His arm is incredibly fast. I can’t say I’ve ever seen an arm that quick. It’s truly impressive." This quote was published by Sports Illustrated in July 2016. Given that Girardi who, in addition to being a manager, was a Major League catcher, has seen many hard-throwing pitchers, the fact that he holds this opinion speaks volumes about the supersonic Cuban relief pitcher.

Who is Aroldis Chapman?

Aroldis Chapman was born on February 28, 1988, in Holguín, Cuba. He is considered one of the best Latino relief pitchers of recent years, thanks to his exceptional skill and talent on the mound, not to mention his ability to consistently throw pitches at speeds exceeding 100 mph throughout his 17-season Major League career.

He made his debut with the Cincinnati Reds in 2010, and over the following years, he also played for the Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers, and Pittsburgh Pirates. During his stint with the Boston Red Sox, he excelled as a relief pitcher; this performance led to an extended tenure with the organization, ultimately helping him earn the "Mariano Rivera" Award in 2025.

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