Chapman is Filthy

During the 11th inning of Friday night’s 12-inning loss to the Reds, Aroldis Chapman came into pitch.

Words can not explain how nasty he is.

 

Aroldis Chapman vs Jose Tabata:

102 mph Fastball -Foul

102 mph Fastball -Swinging (might I add, he was not even close to catching it)

103 mph Fastball -Called strike three

 

Aroldis Chapman vs Neil Walker

101 mph Fastball -Ball

101 mph Fatball -Grounded to shortstop, 6-4.

 

Aroldis Chapman vs Garrett Jones

102 mph Fastball -Foul

90 mph Cutter -Swinging Strike

103 mph Fastball -Ball

103 mph Fastball -Ball

90 mph Cutter -Swinging Strike three

 

Inning over.

Yep, that is pretty close to my expression after the inning ended. In shock. I’ve seen clips of him pitching since he was brought up to the majors, but I was not prepared for that at all.

His cutter –90 mph– is the same speed as the average fastball. It is just unbelievable.

 

 

 

Brandon Moss has faced Chapman a few times when Moss was with Triple-A Indy, Chapman with Triple-A Louisville.

“First time I faced him, he threw behind me at 101 [mph],” Moss said. “He struck me out at least four times. I made contact twice against him. I grounded to second and it was like a moral victory.”

“At first you didn’t feel comfortable facing him because he was so wild,” Moss said. “Since he went to the bullpen he’s been lights out. He doesn’t look overwhelmed [in the Major Leagues]. He’s a weapon in any bullpen.”

 

Garrett Jones was asked what it was like to face Chapman in the 11th inning of Friday night’s game. “He has such a quick release,” Jones said. “You barely have time to react. I was trying to stay short and really see it. But he’s so quick to the plate you don’t have time to see the release point. He has very good arm speed.”

 

Since the Reds re-called Aroldis Chapman he is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in five appearences. He has five strikeouts, two walks in 4.1 innings. His fastball is clocked at 102 reguarly, and has even hit 105 mph on the gun.