Career Timeline of Aroldis Chapman: Major Achievements and Milestones

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

Aroldis Chapman, nicknamed "the Cuban Missile", is a Cuban-born American professional baseball relief pitcher currently playing for the Boston Red Sox. Known for his exceptionally high fastball velocity, Chapman has also played for the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers, and Pittsburgh Pirates, as well as Holguín in the Cuban National Series. A left-handed pitcher, he is a member of the 300 save club and holds the record for all-time strikeouts among left-handed relievers.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1945: Cubs' First Pennant Since 1945

Chapman helped the Cubs secure their first pennant since 1945 during the 2016 NLCS.

2003: Transition to Pitcher

In 2003, Chapman transitioned from playing first base to becoming a pitcher after his coach recognized his throwing ability.

2005: Joins Holguín Sabuesos

In 2005, Chapman joined the Holguín Sabuesos of the Cuban National Series League.

2007: Relief Appearances in 2007

During the 2007 season, Chapman made 11 relief appearances for the Sabuesos, compiling 7 saves.

2007: Pan American Games and Baseball World Cup

In 2007, Aroldis Chapman was part of the Cuban national team at the Pan American Games and the 2007 Baseball World Cup.

2008: Plays through 2008-09 season

Chapman played for the Holguin Sabuesos through the 2008-09 season.

July 1, 2009: Successful Defection from Cuba

On July 1, 2009, Chapman successfully defected from Cuba while in Rotterdam, Netherlands, where the Cuban national team was participating in the World Port Tournament.

2009: Allowed to return to National Series

After his suspension, Chapman was allowed to return to the National Series and play in the WBC in 2009.

2009: World Baseball Classic

In 2009, Aroldis Chapman was part of the Cuban national team at the World Baseball Classic.

2009: Defection from Cuba

In 2009, Chapman defected from Cuba, seeking to pursue his baseball career in Major League Baseball.

January 10, 2010: Signs with Cincinnati Reds

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

August 31, 2010: MLB Debut

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

September 24, 2010: Fastest Pitch Record

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

2010: Contract with the Reds

In 2010, Chapman signed a contract with the Cincinnati Reds, marking the beginning of his MLB career.

2010: Assigned to Triple-A Louisville Bats

In 2010, Chapman was assigned to the Triple-A Louisville Bats and made his professional debut on April 11.

2010: Fastball Averaged Speed

In 2010, Chapman's fastball averaged 100.3 miles per hour.

2010: First Postseason Loss

In Game 2 of the 2010 NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies, Chapman received his first career postseason loss after allowing three unearned runs.

2011: Home run against Luke Scott

In 2011, Chapman gave up a home run to Luke Scott of the Baltimore Orioles.

2011: Relief Pitcher Role

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

2011: Fastball Averaged Speed

In 2011, Chapman's fastball averaged 98.6 miles per hour.

July 1, 2012: First All-Star Game Selection

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

July 2012: MLB Delivery Man of the Month Award

In July 2012, Chapman was awarded the MLB Delivery Man of the Month, recognizing his outstanding performance as a relief pitcher.

2012: Possible salary arbitration in 2012

Chapman received an additional bonus if he became eligible for salary arbitration in 2012.

March 2013: Named Closer for Reds

In March 2013, Chapman was announced as the closer for the Cincinnati Reds.

August 21, 2013: Strikeout streak begins

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

2013: Possible salary arbitration in 2013

Chapman received an additional bonus if he became eligible for salary arbitration in 2013.

July 11, 2014: Strikeout Record

On July 11, 2014, 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 that milestone.

August 13, 2014: Strikeout Streak Ends

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

September 23, 2014: 100th Strikeout Milestone

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 with Reds

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 without a conviction. Aroldis Chapman was the first player to be disciplined under this policy following a domestic violence incident in October 2015.

December 7, 2015: Domestic Violence Allegations Surface

On December 7, 2015, news reports revealed Aroldis Chapman's alleged involvement in a domestic violence incident with his girlfriend in Davie, Florida, which had occurred on October 30, 2015. This led to a halt in a pending trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers, as MLB initiated an investigation. The Reds later traded Chapman to the New York Yankees.

December 28, 2015: Traded to the Yankees

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

2015: Trade 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 Yankees' new closer.

February 12, 2016: Avoided Arbitration

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

May 9, 2016: First Appearance for Yankees

On May 9, 2016, Chapman made his first appearance for the Yankees after a suspension, striking out two and allowing a run.

July 25, 2016: Traded to the Chicago Cubs

On July 25, 2016, the Yankees traded 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: National League Championship Series

Chapman made four appearances during the 2016 National League Championship Series (NLCS) against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He secured the Cubs' first pennant since 1945.

2016: Division Series Records

Chapman made three saves in four opportunities in the 2016 National League Division Series against the San Francisco Giants to tie and set new Division Series records respectively.

2016: Trade to the Cubs and World Series Win

During the 2016 season, the Yankees traded Chapman to the Chicago Cubs, where he won Game 7 of the 2016 World Series.

2016: World Series Title

In the 2016 World Series, Chapman was the winning pitcher in Game 7, securing his first World Series title with the Cubs.

May 14, 2017: Chapman placed on disabled list

On May 14, 2017, Aroldis Chapman was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to rotator cuff inflammation in his left shoulder.

2017: Home run given up to Rafael Devers

In 2017, Aroldis Chapman gave up a home run to Rafael Devers of the Boston Red Sox. The pitch was clocked at 103 mph, making it the fastest pitch hit for a home run in the Statcast era. His fastest pitch of 2017 was 104.3 miles an hour, best in MLB.

July 13, 2018: Chapman to skip All-Star Game

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

2018: Added sinker pitch

Since 2018, he also added a sinker that tops out at 102 miles per hour and averages over 100 mph.

2019: Chapman's 2019 Season

In 2019, Chapman had 37 saves and a 2.21 ERA. He received the AL Reliever of the Month Award for both May and August. He also received the Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year Award.

2020: Postseason Save

Chapman earned his first postseason save since 2020 in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series against the Yankees.

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.

2021: Red Sox playoff appearance since 2021

His outstanding year helped the Red Sox to their first playoff appearance since 2021.

2021: All Star Game selection

In 2021, Chapman was selected to his eighth All-Star Game.

January 27, 2023: Chapman signs with Kansas City 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 Royals traded Aroldis Chapman to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Cole Ragans and Roni Cabrera.

2023: World Series Win with the Rangers

In 2023, Chapman won his second championship, the World Series, after being traded to the Texas Rangers at the trade deadline.

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

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 Boston Red Sox

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

2024: Strikeout percentage

As of the end of the 2024 season, Chapman has struck out 40 percent of batters faced, third most among pitchers who have thrown 400 innings.

2024: Plays with the Pirates

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

2024: Fastball Average Speed

In 2024, Chapman's fastball averaged 98.7 miles per hour and topped out at 105.1 miles per hour.

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

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

August 31, 2025: Chapman agrees to contract extension with Red Sox

On August 31, 2025, Aroldis Chapman and the 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.