Red Sox’s Aroldis Chapman sets insane franchise record at high velocity

Aroldis Chapman is 37 years old, and he’s still bringing the heat.

The former Reds, Cubs and Yankees closer, among others, is now with the Boston Red Sox. And Chapman officially made Red Sox history on Saturday.

Chapman unleashed a 102.3 miles per hour fastball to White Sox rookie Chase Meidroth.

That pitch, taken for a strike, was the hardest pitch thrown by a Red Sox player in the Statcast era, which dates back to 2015.

Previously, Joe Kelly’s 102.2mph pitch in 2017 was the record.

Chapman eventually got Meidroth to fly out to force extra innings.

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He’s always been a hard thrower, but it’s amazing that Chapman has maintained this level of velocity this deep into his career.

The closer is 2-1 with a 1.08 ERA and 14.0 strikeouts per nine innings so far with the Red Sox. He’s a perfect 4-for-4 on his save chances.

There was a spring training competition for the Boston closer job, but Chapman dominated and made it his.

Now he’s out there throwing faster than 102 miles per hour, and it’s just one of those things everyone sits back in awe and watches with wonder.

Just wait until he faces the Yankees later in the season. That’ll be amazing theater, especially if Aaron Judge digs in against Chapman.

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