When Aroldis Chapman, relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox hurlied a fastball that skimmed the radar at just under 105 mph, the stadium buzzed like a hive on a summer night. The feat happened on May 12, 2025, in a nail‑biting duel against the Toronto Blue Jays, and it instantly rewrote the franchise’s speed ledger. Not only did Chapman break the Red Sox’s all‑time velocity mark, he also added a seventh MLB team to his growing list of record‑holding clubs – a milestone that may never be duplicated.
Historical Context: A Trail of Records Across the League
Chapman’s career is nothing short of a barnstorming tour of fastball folklore. Since debuting with the Kansas City Royals in 2009, he has left a blistering signature on the United States baseball map. The left‑handed Cuban’s résumé reads like a souvenir shop: he owns the fastest pitch ever recorded – 105.8 mph against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2010 – and the quickest Statcast‑tracked throw – 105.7 mph versus the Baltimore Orioles in 2014.
What makes the 2025 milestone peculiar is its timing. At 37, Chapman is a veteran in a sport where most arms begin to fade by their early 30s. Yet his radar gun readings have scarcely dipped, and his recent outings suggest he’s still snarling faster than many pitchers half his age.
Record‑Breaking Performance in the 2025 Season
The 2025 MLB seasonUnited States has already been a showcase for power hitters, but Chapman has quietly become the season’s headline act. In the May 12 game, he entered the ninth inning with the score tied 3‑3. After a quick warm‑up, he unleashed a fastball that nudged 104.9 mph, instantly breaking the Red Sox franchise record previously held at 104.5 mph.
Since then, Statcast logs show Chapman regularly hovering in the 100‑101 mph corridor, with three separate pitches crossing the 104 mph threshold. A 23‑minute highlight reel released by the Red Sox last week compiled every pitch over 100 mph from the first month of play – every single one belonging to Chapman.
“It’s like watching a missile launch from Fenway’s mound,” joked longtime Red Sox broadcaster Dave O’Brien after the game. “You half‑expect the ball to break the glass.”
Drafting Kyson Witherspoon: A Glimpse at the Future
While Chapman continues to dominate the bullpen, the Red Sox have also been busy planting seeds for the next generation. On June 5, 2025, the club selected Kyson Witherspoon, a 20‑year‑old right‑hander from the University of Oklahoma, with the 15th overall pick in the 2025 MLB DraftBoston.
Witherspoon’s college résumé reads like a pitcher’s dream: a 10‑4 record, a 2.65 ERA over 95 innings, 124 strikeouts against just 33 walks, and a fastball that tops out at 99 mph. He boasts a five‑pitch arsenal – a fastball, slider, cutter, curveball, and an emerging changeup – giving the Red Sox a potential starter who could complement Chapman’s late‑inning fireworks.
Red Sox President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom said, “Kyson is a high‑upside talent who can grow into a frontline starter. Pairing his development with Aroldis’s veteran presence gives us a balanced blend of power now and promise for tomorrow.”
Reactions from Players, Analysts, and Fans
Across the league, the reaction has been a mix of awe and a little envy. Yankees ace Gerrit Cole whispered to a reporter, “If I could throw that hard at 37, I’d be happy. It’s a crazy thing to see.” Meanwhile, former Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield, who passed away in 2023, had left a lingering sentiment among fans that the team needed a “big arm” – something Chapman now embodies more than ever.
Analytics guru Tom Tango of FanGraphs crunched the numbers and found Chapman’s average spin rate on his fastball still sits at a blistering 2,500 RPM, well above the league median of 1,800 RPM. “His velocity isn’t just raw speed; the spin‑efficiency makes those pitches lethal,” Tango explained.
Fans, of course, love a good spectacle. Social media hashtags like #CubanMissile2025 trended for hours after the game, and a viral TikTok of the 105 mph pitch amassed over 3 million views.
Future Outlook: Balancing Bullpen Firepower with Home‑Grown Starters
Looking ahead, the Red Sox seem poised to ride Chapman’s velocity while nurturing Witherspoon’s development through the minors. The organization’s coaching staff has already outlined a plan to integrate Witherspoon into the Triple‑A Pawtucket roster by late summer, with a possible September call‑up if his numbers stay on an upward trajectory.
Meanwhile, Chapman’s contract runs through the 2026 season, and discussions about a potential extension have already begun. General Manager Brian O’Halloran hinted that the club is “exploring all options” to keep the 105‑mph arm in Boston for as long as possible.
In a sport where arms can evaporate overnight, the juxtaposition of a 37‑year‑old speedster and a 20‑year‑old prospect provides a compelling narrative. If the Red Sox can keep Chapman humming and give Witherspoon the tools to succeed, Boston might just have two of the most electrifying arms in baseball history.
Key Facts
- Chapman’s record fastball: 104.9 mph on May 12, 2025 vs. Toronto Blue Jays.
- He now holds franchise velocity records for seven MLB teams.
- Witherspoon drafted 15th overall in 2025 MLB Draft; fastball peaks at 99 mph.
- Red Sox bullpen ERA through first two months of 2025: 3.21.
- Chapman’s spin rate: 2,500 RPM – well above league average.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Chapman’s velocity compare to other pitchers this season?
Chapman’s fastballs have consistently topped 100 mph, while the league‑wide average sits around 93 mph. Only a handful of relievers have breached the 105 mph mark in recent memory, making his 2025 performance an outlier even among elite arms.
What impact does the new draft pick have on the Red Sox’s rotation?
Kyson Witherspoon adds a high‑upside starter to a rotation that has relied heavily on veteran arms. If he reaches his projected 4.50 WAR in his rookie season, Boston could shift from a bullpen‑centric model to a more balanced staff.
Will Chapman likely retire soon, given his age?
While many pitchers retire by their mid‑30s, Chapman’s recent velocity and health metrics suggest he could remain effective through at least the 2026 season. The Red Sox are reportedly negotiating a possible multi‑year extension.
How significant is holding franchise records for seven teams?
It’s unprecedented. No other pitcher has logged the hardest recorded fastball for a quarter of all MLB clubs. The feat underscores Chapman's unique combination of longevity and pure velocity.
What does this mean for Red Sox fans heading into the postseason?
The bullpen’s firepower, anchored by Chapman, gives Boston a formidable late‑inning edge. Combined with a young, promising rotation, the Red Sox are positioned as serious contenders for the AL East title and a deep playoff run.
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