MLB Insider Reveals Secret To Red Sox’s Aroldis Chapman’s Revival

Not many baseball players have the best season of their careers at age 37. But that’s exactly what Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman is doing.

The hard-throwing left-hander is seventh in the majors this season with 26 saves. Of pitchers who have made at least 40 appearances this season, no one can match Chapman’s career-low 1.04 ERA.

On the latest edition of his ESPN Podcast, MLB insider Buster Olney explains why the southpaw is dominating this season.

“Apparently in spring training this year, Connor Wong was catching him in a game,” Olney begins. “And as you know, Aroldis Chapman’s command during the course of his career has been kind of spotty, right?

“But Connor Wong is catching him, and for years Aroldis Chapman’s one of those guys who, when he’s on the mound, the catcher basically is like, might as well have just waved his hands, just throw your fastball, right? And he just throws it down the middle.

“Connor Wong is using PitchCom and he pushes on his PitchCom ‘inside fastball.’ And the light bulb goes off over Chapman’s head,” Olney explains. “And he tells Connor Wong and (game planning and run prevention coach Jason) Varitek like, ‘Wow. I’ve never thought about spotting my fastball. I just threw it to home plate.’

“But this is the first time like, verbally, he hears ‘inside fastball’ or subsequently ‘outside fastball.’ And so it’s that whole thing of … ‘aim small, miss small.’ That’s what Chapman has done this year,” Olney concludes. “After hearing those words on PitchCom from Connor Wong and all of a sudden, his whole perspective has changed and we have this new, dominant pitcher in his late 30s.”

MLB began using PitchCom in 2022. It’s purpose is two-fold: improving pace of play and preventing opponents from stealing signs. The device allows catchers to input the pitch selection on an electronic pad which then transmits the signal to an ear piece worn by the pitcher.

As for Chapman, he hasn’t surrendered a base hit in his last 14 appearances. The last time someone got a hit off the lefty was July 23rd, which was the last time Chapman blew a save.

He’s made 11 appearances in August, going 1-0 with seven saves. That includes 12 strikeouts in 10 innings pitched.

It’s worth repeating: Opponents are hitting .000 against Chapman this month, giving him a 0.00 ERA. That’s just insane.

The Red Sox signed Chapman to a one-year, $10.75 million contract in December 2024. If he stays healthy and continues to dominate, Chapman could hit it big this winter as a free agent.