Chapman, a reliever for the Cincinnati Reds, saw his first big-league appearance on Tuesday night against the Milwaukee Brewers, and just his jog from the bullpen warranted a standing ovation from the crowd. His first fastball reached 98 mph, sending the crowd into an even greater tizzy.
They hadn't seen anything yet.
The 22-year-old reached into the triple digits just three pitches later, causing the radar gun to light up at 103 mph. Four of his eight pitches thrown were in the triple digits. The 103 mph mark was just what fans were looking for, but according to his teammate Bronson Arroyo, Chapman hasn’t thrown his hottest heat yet.
"We've got the Usain Bolt of baseball," Arroyo told the Cincinnati Enquirer."There are probably less than 10 guys that have ever walked the earth that have ever thrown that hard."
The entire Reds clubhouse backs Arroyo on that statement, saying Chapman will definitely hit 105 mph before season end, based on what they've seen in team workouts and training. Do you believe them?
Do you think Aroldis Chapman can throw 105 mph? Text 'SOX1' to 542542 for yes. Text 'SOX2' to 542542 for no.
