Fastest Pitch Ever Recorded in Baseball
The fastest pitch ever recorded in baseball was clocked at 105.8 mph (170.3 km/h) by Aroldis Chapman. This record was set during a regular season game on September 24, 2010, while Chapman was pitching for the Cincinnati Reds against the San Diego Padres. The measurement was taken using TrackMan radar technology, which is now a standard tracking system in Major League Baseball. Chapman's record has been verified by MLB's official Statcast system and remains the benchmark for pitch velocity in professional baseball.
Modern pitch speed measurement relies on advanced radar and optical tracking systems. MLB began using Statcast in 2015, which combines TrackMan radar with high-resolution cameras to capture precise velocity data at release and at home plate. The system measures the speed of the baseball's center of mass with sub-millimeter accuracy. According to MLB's official Statcast documentation, the radar tracks the ball from the pitcher's hand to the catcher's glove, providing real-time velocity data that is integrated into every game broadcast and official record. The technology is provided by TrackMan, a Danish company specializing in radar-based sports analytics.
Top Fastest Pitches in MLB History
Since Chapman's record, several pitchers have come close to the 105.8 mph mark. In 2024, Jordan Hicks of the St. Louis Cardinals recorded a pitch at 105.5 mph, the second-fastest in MLB history. Other notable high-velocity pitchers include Joel Zumaya, who threw 104.8 mph in 2006, and Nolan Ryan, whose legendary 108.1 mph pitch was recorded by radar gun in 1974, though that measurement was taken at a different point in the pitch's trajectory. The current top 10 fastest pitches list is dominated by relievers and power pitchers who generate extreme arm speed through efficient mechanics and modern strength training.
The distribution of pitch velocity across MLB has increased significantly over the past decade. According to data from FanGraphs, the average fastball velocity in MLB rose from 91.4 mph in 2008 to 93.5 mph in 2023. This trend is driven by advanced biomechanics analysis, specialized training programs, and the increasing emphasis on velocity in player development. Teams now use wearable sensors and high-speed cameras to optimize throwing mechanics, and pitching coaches work closely with sports scientists to maximize arm speed while minimizing injury risk. The shift toward velocity-focused pitching has changed the strategic landscape of the game, with four-seam fastballs becoming more prevalent at the expense of traditional off-speed pitches.
How Pitch Speed Is Measured and Verified
MLB's official pitch speed measurement process uses a combination of TrackMan radar and optical tracking systems. The radar emits a signal that bounces off the baseball, and the Doppler shift in the returned signal is used to calculate the ball's velocity. This measurement is taken at the point of release from the pitcher's hand, not at the plate, which means the recorded speed is slightly higher than what the batter perceives. The system is calibrated regularly to ensure accuracy, and all velocity data is archived in MLB's centralized database for official record-keeping and statistical analysis.
For bettors and fantasy baseball enthusiasts, pitch velocity data is now a key metric available on major sports platforms. Sites like ESPN and MLB.com provide real-time velocity readings during games, and third-party analytics platforms offer historical velocity data for player comparison. The integration of pitch speed into mainstream sports media has made velocity a central talking point in baseball coverage, with analysts and commentators routinely referencing radar gun readings during broadcasts. As tracking technology continues to improve, the precision and accessibility of pitch speed data will only increase, further cementing velocity as a defining characteristic of modern pitching.