Career Timeline of Aroldis Chapman: Major Achievements and Milestones

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

Aroldis Chapman is a Cuban-born American professional baseball relief pitcher currently playing for the Boston Red Sox. Known as "the Cuban Missile" for his high-velocity fastball, Chapman has played for several MLB teams, including the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, and Chicago Cubs. He is a left-handed pitcher and hitter and a member of the 300 save club. Chapman is also the all-time leader in strikeouts for left-handed relief pitchers, marking him as a dominant force in MLB bullpen history.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

2003: Started Pitching

In 2003, Chapman began his career as a pitcher after being a first baseman.

2005: Joined Holguín Sabuesos

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

2007: Made Relief Appearances

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

2007: Cuban National Team

In 2007, Chapman was part of the Cuban national team at the Pan American Games.

2008: Failed Defection Attempt

After a failed attempt to defect in the spring of 2008, Chapman met with Cuban president Raúl Castro, who gave him a conditional reprieve.

2008: Played Through 2008-09 Season

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

July 1, 2009: 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: Defection from Cuba

In 2009, Chapman defected from Cuba after playing domestically and internationally for the Cuba national baseball team.

2009: World Baseball Classic

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

2009: WBC Participation Allowed

In 2009, despite a previous suspension, Chapman was allowed to return to the National Series and play in the World Baseball Classic (WBC).

January 10, 2010: Signed with 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, Chapman made his Major League debut against the Milwaukee Brewers.

2010: Signed with the Reds

In 2010, Aroldis Chapman signed a contract with the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball (MLB).

2010: Assigned to Louisville Bats

In 2010, Chapman was assigned to the Triple-A Louisville Bats to begin the season, later transitioning to a relief pitcher role.

2010: First Postseason Loss

In Game 2 of the 2010 NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies, Chapman experienced his first career postseason loss.

2011: Relief Pitcher

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

2011: Last Home Run Given Up to Left Hander

In 2011, Luke Scott of the Baltimore Orioles hit a home run off of Aroldis Chapman. This was the last time Chapman gave up a home run to a left-handed batter until Rafael Devers did so in August 2017.

July 1, 2012: First All-Star Game Selection

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

2012: Improved Control in 2012

In 2012, Aroldis Chapman improved his control, walking 23 batters in 71+2⁄3 innings, compared to 41 walks in 50 innings the previous season.

2012: Closer Role

In 2012, Chapman was initially intended to be a starter but became the closer due to preseason injuries to other pitchers.

2012: Arbitration Eligibility

In 2012, an additional bonus was stipulated in Chapman's contract if he became eligible for salary arbitration.

March 2013: Closer for the Reds

In March 2013, it was announced that Chapman would be the closer for the Cincinnati Reds.

2013: Arbitration Eligibility

In 2013, an additional bonus was stipulated in Chapman's contract if he became eligible for salary arbitration.

February 13, 2015: $8.05 Million Contract

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

December 28, 2015: Traded to the Yankees

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

2015: Traded to Yankees

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

January 11, 2016: Named Yankees' Closer

On January 11, 2016, manager Joe Girardi named Chapman the team's new closer for the Yankees.

February 12, 2016: Agreed to Contract

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, striking out two and allowing a run in a 6-3 win over the Kansas City Royals.

July 19, 2016: Chapman Matches Pitch Record

On July 19, 2016, Aroldis Chapman matched his previous record of 105.1 mph with a pitch to J.J. Hardy of the Baltimore Orioles.

July 25, 2016: Traded to the Cubs

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

December 15, 2016: Signs with the Yankees

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

2016: World Series Win with Cubs

During the 2016 season, the Yankees traded Chapman to the Chicago Cubs. He then won Game 7 of the 2016 World Series with the Cubs.

July 13, 2018: Skipping 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 tendonitis.

2018: Chapman adds sinker

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

2019: AL Reliever of the Year

In 2019, Aroldis Chapman received the Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year Award.

August 26, 2021: 300th Career Save

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

2022: Largest relief pitcher contract surpassed

In 2022, Edwin Díaz surpassed Aroldis Chapman's contract, which was the largest contract given to a relief pitcher until that time.

January 27, 2023: Signs with the Kansas City Royals

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

June 30, 2023: 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 Title

In 2023, after signing with the Kansas City Royals and being traded to the Texas Rangers, Chapman won his second World Series championship with the Rangers.

January 31, 2024: Signed with Pittsburgh Pirates

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

June 29, 2024: Most strikeouts by left-handed reliever

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

December 10, 2024: Signs with the Boston Red Sox

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

2024: Walk percentage as of 2024

As of the end of the 2024 season, Aroldis Chapman has walked 12.6 percent of batters faced in his career.

2024: Whiff rates and strikeout percentage as of 2024

As of the end of the 2024 season, Chapman's fastball has a whiff rate of 33%, his slider has a whiff rate of 58%, and he has struck out 40 percent of batters faced.