The star pitcher Aroldis Chapman, considered by many to be the greatest Cuban closer of all time, continues to be unstoppable with the Boston Red Sox, and this Sunday he once again made his mark from the mound in the Major League Baseball (MLB).
Chapman threw the tenth inning of the game, which Boston won 5-4 in extra innings against the St. Louis Cardinals. The left-hander did not allow any hits, issued one walk (Masyn Winn), and struck out two batters (Victor Scott II and Pedro Pagés).
According to the daily report from the specialized site Pelota Cubana, the pitcher from Holguín used a single sinker during his outing, which reached 101.4 MPH, while his fastball averaged 97.9 MPH and topped out at 99.6 MPH. Opponents swung at him 10 times, missing five of those swings, leading to an excellent 50% whiff rate.
Elite numbers to kick off the season
Chapman has been a key player in this campaign start: four outings, two wins, and two saves, directly contributing to four of Boston's five victories. He has not allowed any runs in 3.2 innings, and opponents are only batting .091 against him.
Furthermore, the game on Sunday marked a milestone in his career: it was the Cuban's 800th appearance in Major League Baseball. To date, he has accumulated 57 victories, 1,250 strikeouts, and 335 saves, being just seven away from entering the historic Top-15 list for most saves in MLB.
He also ranks as the fourth reliever with the most strikeouts in history, only behind Craig Kimbrel (1,265), Hall of Famer Rich Gossage (1,340), and Hoyt Wilhelm (1,363), noted journalist Francys Romero on Facebook.
Chapman also holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest pitch recorded in baseball: 105.8 MPH with the Cincinnati Reds on September 24, 2010. In 2024, he exceeded 105 MPH again, with a pitch of 105.1 MPH.
Other notable Cubans on Sunday
Other notable Cubans on Sunday were pitchers Adrián Morejón and Yennier Cano, as well as batters Yordan Álvarez and Randy Arozarena.
Morejón did not allow any runs during 1.1 innings of relief and contributed to his team's victory, the San Diego Padres, with a close score of 8-7 against the Chicago Cubs.
Cano made his third appearance of the current season. In one inning of work, he did not allow any hits or runs, issued no walks, and struck out one of the three batters he faced, in his team's loss to the Kansas City Royals.
Randy Arozarena hit his third double of the season in another defeat for the Tampa Bay Rays against Seattle, while Yordan Álvarez launched his first home run of the year in a 4-for-2 afternoon, with three RBIs and one run scored, in the Houston Astros' 9-7 victory over the Minnesota Twins.
Frequently asked questions about Aroldis Chapman and his performance with the Boston Red Sox
How has Aroldis Chapman's performance been with the Boston Red Sox at the start of the 2025 season?
Aroldis Chapman has had an outstanding performance at the start of the 2025 season with the Boston Red Sox. He has appeared in four games with two victories and two saves, not allowing any runs in 3.2 innings. Opponents are only hitting .091 against him, demonstrating his dominance on the mound.
What records and achievements has Aroldis Chapman attained in his MLB career?
Aroldis Chapman has achieved significant milestones in his career. He has been selected for the All-Star Game seven times and holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest pitch in baseball history at 105.8 MPH. Additionally, he has accumulated 335 saves and is just seven away from entering the historic Top-15 saves in MLB, with 1,250 strikeouts to his name.
What is the average speed of Aroldis Chapman's pitches in the current season?
In the current season, Aroldis Chapman has proven to maintain his powerful arm. His fastball averages 97.9 MPH and has peaked at 99.6 MPH. During one of his outings, he used a sinker that reached 101.4 MPH, demonstrating his ability to pitch at elite speeds.
How does Aroldis Chapman rank among relievers in MLB history?
Aroldis Chapman is regarded as one of the most dominant relievers in the history of MLB. He is the fourth reliever with the most strikeouts in history, only behind Craig Kimbrel, Rich Gossage, and Hoyt Wilhelm. His performance on the mound has established him as a key figure in professional baseball.
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