Career Timeline of Aroldis Chapman: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Aroldis Chapman made an impact.

Aroldis Chapman, a Cuban-born American professional baseball relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, is renowned for his exceptional fastball velocity, earning him the moniker "the Cuban Missile." A left-handed pitcher and batter, Chapman has played for multiple MLB teams, including the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, and Chicago Cubs. He is a member of the 300 save club and holds the record for the most strikeouts by a left-handed reliever. Chapman's career is marked by his dominant pitching and impactful presence in high-pressure situations.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1945: Cubs' First Pennant Since 1945

In 2016, Chapman helped secure the Cubs' first pennant since 1945.

2003: Began Pitching Career

In 2003, Aroldis Chapman began his career as a pitcher after being a first baseman. At 15, a friend invited him to join a local baseball team.

2005: Joins Holguín Sabuesos

In 2005, Aroldis Chapman joined the Holguín Sabuesos of the Cuban National Series League and played through the 2008–09 season.

2007: Relief Appearances

In 2007, Chapman made 11 relief appearances for the Sabuesos, compiling seven saves.

2008: Plays for Holguín Sabuesos

In 2008, Chapman played for the Holguín Sabuesos of the Cuban National Series League.

2008: Failed Defection Attempt

In the spring of 2008, after a failed attempt to defect, Chapman met with Cuban president Raúl Castro, who gave him a conditional reprieve, suspending him for the remainder of the National Series season and also keeping him off Cuba's national team for the 2008 Summer Olympics but allowing him to return to the National Series and play in the WBC in 2009.

July 1, 2009: Defection from Cuba

On July 1, 2009, while in Rotterdam, Netherlands, for the World Port Tournament, Chapman successfully defected from Cuba. He walked out of the team hotel and entered a car driven by an acquaintance.

2009: Defection from Cuba

In 2009, Aroldis Chapman defected from Cuba.

2009: Conditional Reprieve

In 2009, Chapman was allowed to return to the National Series and play in the WBC due to a conditional reprieve granted the previous year.

January 10, 2010: Signs with the Cincinnati Reds

On January 10, 2010, Chapman signed a six-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds worth $30.25 million.

August 31, 2010: MLB Debut

On August 31, 2010, Aroldis Chapman made his Major League debut against the Milwaukee Brewers, with his first pitch clocked at 98 mph.

September 24, 2010: Fastest Pitch Recognized by MLB

On September 24, 2010, Aroldis Chapman threw the fastest pitch recognized by MLB, clocked at 105.1 mph against Tony Gwynn Jr.

2010: First Postseason Loss

During Game 2 of the 2010 NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies, Chapman allowed three unearned runs and received his first career postseason loss. The Reds lost the series in a sweep.

2010: Signed with the Cincinnati Reds

In 2010, Aroldis Chapman signed a contract with the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball (MLB). He also made his MLB debut that season.

2010: Assigned to Louisville Bats

In 2010, Chapman was assigned to the Triple-A Louisville Bats, making his debut on April 11. He pitched 4+2⁄3 innings, giving up one unearned run and striking out nine.

April 18, 2011: Chapman throws pitch clocked at 106 mph

On April 18, 2011, Aroldis Chapman threw a pitch to Pittsburgh's Andrew McCutchen that the scoreboard at Great American Ball Park clocked at 106 mph.

2011: Relief Pitcher

In 2011, Aroldis Chapman served solely as a relief pitcher, appearing in 54 regular season games and finishing with a 3.60 ERA.

July 1, 2012: First All-Star Game

On July 1, 2012, Aroldis Chapman was named to his first All-Star Game.

July 2012: Delivery Man of the Month

In July 2012, Aroldis Chapman won the MLB Delivery Man of the Month Award, recording 13 saves and not allowing a run in 14+1⁄3 innings.

2012: Closer Role

In 2012, Chapman was initially slated to be a starter, but preseason injuries led to him becoming the closer in late May.

2012: Ineligible for Arbitration Bonus

In 2012, an additional bonus was to be paid if Aroldis Chapman became eligible for salary arbitration.

March 2013: Named Closer

In March 2013, Chapman was announced as the closer for the Cincinnati Reds and was also selected to the All-Star Game for the second consecutive season.

August 21, 2013: Streak Begins

On August 21, 2013, Chapman's record-breaking streak of consecutive relief appearances with a strikeout began.

2013: Ineligible for Arbitration Bonus

In 2013, an additional bonus was to be paid if Aroldis Chapman became eligible for salary arbitration.

July 11, 2014: Most Consecutive Relief Appearances with a Strikeout

On July 11, 2014, Aroldis Chapman broke Bruce Sutter's record for the most consecutive relief appearances with a strikeout.

July 29, 2014: 100th Career Save

On July 29, 2014, Chapman recorded his 100th save against the Arizona Diamondbacks, becoming the eighth-fastest pitcher to reach this milestone. He threw 15 fastballs, all above 100 mph, in the 20-pitch appearance.

August 13, 2014: Strikeout Streak Ends

On August 13, 2014, Chapman's streak ended at 49 consecutive games.

September 23, 2014: Fastest to 100 Strikeouts

On September 23, 2014, Chapman recorded his 100th strikeout in his 51st inning pitched of the season, making him the fastest pitcher ever to reach that milestone.

February 13, 2015: Contract Agreement

On February 13, 2015, Chapman and the Reds agreed to a one-year, $8.05 million contract.

August 2015: MLB Personal Conduct Policy Enacted

In August 2015, MLB enacted a new personal conduct policy allowing the league to suspend players even without a conviction. Chapman was the first player disciplined under the new policy.

December 28, 2015: Traded to the New York Yankees

On December 28, 2015, Aroldis Chapman was traded to the New York Yankees.

2015: Traded to the Yankees

After the 2015 season, the Reds traded Chapman to the New York Yankees.

January 11, 2016: Named Yankees' Closer

On January 11, 2016, Joe Girardi named Chapman the New York Yankees' new closer.

February 12, 2016: Avoids Arbitration

On February 12, 2016, Chapman avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $11.325 million.

May 9, 2016: First Appearance for the Yankees

On May 9, 2016, Aroldis Chapman made his first appearance for the Yankees, striking out two and allowing a run as the Yankees won 6-3 over the Kansas City Royals.

July 19, 2016: Chapman Matches Record

On July 19, 2016, Aroldis Chapman matched his previous record of 105.1 mph with a ball to Baltimore's J. J. Hardy.

July 25, 2016: Traded to the Chicago Cubs

On July 25, 2016, the Yankees traded Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs.

December 15, 2016: Chapman signs with Yankees

On December 15, 2016, Aroldis Chapman signed a five-year, $86 million contract to return to the New York Yankees.

2016: Traded to the Cubs and World Series win

During the 2016 season, the Yankees traded Chapman to the Chicago Cubs. With the Cubs, Chapman won Game 7 of the 2016 World Series and then rejoined the Yankees after the season.

2016: NLCS Appearance

In 2016, Chapman made four appearances during the National League Championship Series (NLCS) against the Los Angeles Dodgers, securing the Cubs' first pennant since 1945 by pitching the final 1+2⁄3 innings of Game 6.

2016: Division Series Saves Record

In 2016, Chapman tied and set new Division Series records for saves and opportunities respectively.

2016: World Series Title

In the 2016 World Series, Chapman secured the win in Game 7, earning his first World Series title with the Chicago Cubs.

2017: Division Series Record Tied

In 2017, Wade Davis tied Chapman's Division Series saves record.

2017: Fastest pitch revision

In 2017, when MLB changed from the PITCHf/x to Statcast measurements, a pitch Chapman threw to Tony Gwynn Jr. on September 24, 2010, was revised up to 105.8 mph and is now considered the fastest pitch thrown.

July 13, 2018: Chapman to skip All Star Game

On July 13, 2018, Aroldis Chapman announced that he would skip the MLB All-Star Game to rest his knee due to tendinitis.

2019: AL Reliever of the Year

In 2019, Chapman was named the AL Reliever of the Year.

August 26, 2021: Chapman records 300th career save

On August 26, 2021, Aroldis Chapman recorded his 300th career save, closing out a 7–6 victory against the Oakland Athletics.

January 27, 2023: Chapman signs with the Royals

On January 27, 2023, Aroldis Chapman signed a one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals.

June 30, 2023: Chapman traded to Texas Rangers

On June 30, 2023, the Kansas City Royals traded Aroldis Chapman to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Cole Ragans and Roni Cabrera.

2023: Second World Series

In 2023, Chapman won the World Series with the Texas Rangers.

January 31, 2024: Chapman signs with Pittsburgh Pirates

On January 31, 2024, Aroldis Chapman signed a one-year, $10.5 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

June 29, 2024: Chapman passes Billy Wagner for most strikeouts by a left-handed reliever

On June 29, 2024, Aroldis Chapman recorded his 1,197th career strikeout to pass Billy Wagner for the most strikeouts by a left-handed reliever.

December 10, 2024: Chapman signs with Red Sox

On December 10, 2024, Aroldis Chapman signed a one-year, $10.75 million contract with the Boston Red Sox.

2024: Plays for the Pirates

In 2024, Chapman played a year with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

April 19, 2025: Chapman throws fastest pitch for Red Sox pitcher

On April 19, 2025, Aroldis Chapman threw the fastest pitch recorded for a Boston Red Sox pitcher, clocked at 102.3 miles per hour.

August 31, 2025: Chapman and Red Sox agree to contract extension

On August 31, 2025, Aroldis Chapman and the Boston Red Sox agreed to a contract extension for the 2026 season worth $13.3 million, including a vesting option for the 2027 season.

December 2025: Chapman on preliminary roster for Great Britain

In December 2025, it was reported that Aroldis Chapman was on the preliminary roster of the Great Britain national baseball team for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.