Ex-Yankees flamethrower Aroldis Chapman unleashes 103+ MPH rocket.
BOSTON — Aroldis Chapman may no longer wear pinstripes, but his legendary fastball is very much alive — and still rewriting radar guns.
Now 37 and donning a Boston Red Sox uniform, the former New York Yankees closer delivered a thunderous reminder of his elite arm talent on Wednesday night. Closing out a win over the Texas Rangers, Chapman unleashed a 103.8 mph fastball — the fastest pitch thrown in the 2025 MLB season so far.
That pitch surpassed the previous high mark of 103.7 mph set by Oakland’s Mason Miller in April and reaffirmed Chapman’s place atop the sport’s velocity throne.
A heat check like no other
Chapman didn’t just dial up one big number. He threw five pitches over 101 mph during his ninth-inning appearance, overwhelming Texas hitters and leaving fans and analysts alike stunned by his continued power.
The flamethrowing lefty, once thought to be on the decline after a rocky final stretch in the Bronx, appears to have turned back the clock. And for Yankees fans watching from afar, the resurgence comes with mixed emotions — especially with Chapman now wearing the colors of an American League East rival.
The Yankees are slated to face the Red Sox in June, meaning Chapman’s return to Yankee Stadium could make for one of the season’s most anticipated (and potentially uncomfortable) moments.
From Bronx exit to Boston revival
Chapman’s departure from New York following the 2022 season was anything but smooth. Once the Yankees’ unquestioned closer, he posted a 4.46 ERA in his final year in the Bronx, battled injury, and missed team workouts before the postseason. His absence from a scheduled pre-playoff session resulted in his exclusion from the postseason roster — a sour ending to what had once been a dominant tenure.
Over six seasons with New York (2017–2022), Chapman recorded 153 saves and maintained a 2.94 ERA over nearly 300 innings. His tenure also included an All-Star nod and countless high-leverage appearances. But as his control waned and injuries mounted, so too did questions about whether his velocity — and reliability — were gone for good.
After short stints with the Royals and Pirates, Chapman joined the Texas Rangers in 2023, playing a key bullpen role during their World Series title run. In 2024, he was serviceable with Pittsburgh, but not headline-worthy.
Then came his offseason deal with the Red Sox: a one-year, $10.75 million contract that raised eyebrows across the league. Now, just over a month into the season, Boston looks like they made a savvy bet.
Chapman defying time, again
For over a decade, Chapman has been synonymous with speed. His 105.1 mph pitch with the Cincinnati Reds in 2010 remains the fastest ever officially recorded. Even as the rest of the league has seen velocity rise across bullpens, he continues to stand apart.
“Chapman’s fastball still explodes in the zone,” said a scout present for Wednesday’s game. “And when he’s landing the slider off that heat, he’s almost unhittable — even at 37.”
His fastball velocity might still grab headlines, but his mental reset in Boston could be just as significant. According to Red Sox pitching coach Dave Bush, Chapman arrived to spring training “refocused, in shape, and out to prove something.”
So far, he’s done just that. In 14 appearances this season, Chapman owns a 1.93 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 14 innings. His strikeout rate is back above 35 percent — elite territory — and his command, long his Achilles heel, has stabilized.
Yankees watch closely
While the Yankees (21–16) have seen their own bullpen take shape behind Luke Weaver and Ian Hamilton, the sight of Chapman returning to dominance with a division foe has stirred both curiosity and caution.
“He’s still got it,” said one Yankees official on condition of anonymity. “We knew he’d pitch again. We didn’t expect him to be throwing 103.8.”
The Yankees and Red Sox meet at Fenway Park in mid-June for a three-game set. If the standings remain tight in the AL East — and they likely will — a late-inning showdown between Chapman and the middle of the Yankees’ order could be inevitable.
While Chapman’s Yankees chapter ended with controversy, his broader MLB legacy remains impressive. He’s amassed over 320 career saves, posted a career ERA below 2.50, and defined a generation of power relief pitching.
And now, even in the twilight of his career, he’s back setting the standard for velocity — this time with the Yankees looking on from across enemy lines.
If Wednesday night’s radar-busting performance is any indication, Aroldis Chapman isn’t done making headlines — and he’s far from finished facing his old team.
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