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. He previously played for several MLB teams, including the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, and Chicago Cubs. Chapman is known for his exceptionally high fastball velocity and is a member of the 300 save club. He holds the record for the most strikeouts by a left-handed relief pitcher in MLB history.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1945: Cubs' Pennant Since 1945

Chapman helped secure the Cubs' first pennant since 1945.

2003: Transition to Pitcher

In 2003, Aroldis Chapman began his career as a pitcher after his coach noticed his throwing ability.

2005: Joining the Holguín Sabuesos

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

2007: Cuban National Team at Pan American Games

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

2007: Relief Appearances in 2007 Season

In the 2007 season, Aroldis Chapman made 11 relief appearances for the Holguín Sabuesos, compiling 7 saves.

2008: Playing Through 2008-09 Season

Aroldis Chapman continued playing for the Holguín Sabuesos through the 2008-09 season.

2008: Suspension after Defection Attempt

Following a failed defection attempt in the spring of 2008, Aroldis Chapman met with Raúl Castro and received a conditional reprieve, which included suspension from the National Series season and the 2008 Summer Olympics.

July 1, 2009: Successful Defection from Cuba

On July 1, 2009, while in Rotterdam, Netherlands, for the World Port Tournament, Aroldis Chapman successfully defected from Cuba.

2009: Defection from Cuba

In 2009, Aroldis Chapman defected from Cuba and later signed a contract with the Cincinnati Reds.

2009: World Baseball Classic

In 2009, Aroldis Chapman played for the Cuban national team at the World Baseball Classic.

2009: Return to National Series and WBC

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

January 10, 2010: Signing with the Cincinnati Reds

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

August 31, 2010: MLB Debut

Aroldis Chapman made his Major League debut on August 31, 2010, against the Milwaukee Brewers.

September 24, 2010: Fastest Pitch Recorded in MLB

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

2010: Assignment to Triple-A Louisville Bats

In 2010, Aroldis Chapman began the season assigned to the Triple-A Louisville Bats.

2010: MLB Debut with the Reds

In 2010, Aroldis Chapman made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Cincinnati Reds.

2010: Fastball Averaged 100.3 mph

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 experienced his first career postseason loss.

April 18, 2011: Disparity in Recorded Pitch Speed

On April 18, 2011, Chapman threw a pitch to Pittsburgh's Andrew McCutchen that was clocked at 106 mph by the scoreboard, but measured differently by other systems, leading to widespread discussion.

September 24, 2011: Revised Fastest Pitch

In 2017, when MLB changed from the PITCHf/x to Statcast measurements, a pitch Chapman threw to Tony Gwynn Jr. on September 24, 2011, was revised up to 105.8 mph and is now considered the fastest pitch thrown.

2011: Relief Pitcher Role

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

2011: Fastball Averaged 98.6 mph

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

2011: Home Run against Luke Scott

In 2011, Luke Scott of the Baltimore Orioles hit a home run against Aroldis Chapman. Before 2017, this was the last time Chapman gave up a home run to a left-handed batter.

July 1, 2012: First All-Star Game Selection

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

July 2012: Delivery Man of the Month Award

In July 2012, Aroldis Chapman won the MLB Delivery Man of the Month Award, recognizing him as the best relief pitcher.

August 2012: Decline in Fastball Speed

Through August 2012, Chapman's fastball speed had declined to 97.8 miles per hour, a more modest speed, that might have been part of an attempt to better control his fastball.

2012: Improved Control

In 2012, Chapman walked 23 batters over 71+2⁄3 innings, showcasing improved control compared to the previous season when he issued 41 walks in 50 innings.

March 2013: Designated Closer for Reds

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

August 21, 2013: Strikeout Streak Begins

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

July 11, 2014: Consecutive Relief Appearance Strikeout Record

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

July 29, 2014: 100th Career Save

On July 29, 2014, Aroldis Chapman recorded his 100th career save against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

August 13, 2014: End of Strikeout Streak

On August 13, 2014, Aroldis Chapman's streak of 49 consecutive games with at least one strikeout ended.

September 23, 2014: Fastest to 100 Strikeouts in a Season

On September 23, 2014, Aroldis Chapman recorded his 100th strikeout in his 51st inning pitched, becoming the fastest pitcher to reach that milestone.

February 13, 2015: Contract Agreement with the Reds

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

December 28, 2015: Trade to the Yankees

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

2015: Trade to the Yankees

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

2015: Fastest Pitches of the Season

In 2015, Statcast revealed that Chapman threw the 62 fastest pitches of the season, topping out at 103.92 miles per hour.

January 11, 2016: Named Yankees' Closer

On January 11, 2016, Joe Girardi, manager of the New York Yankees, named Aroldis Chapman the team's new closer.

February 12, 2016: One-Year Contract Agreement

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

May 9, 2016: First Appearance for the Yankees

On May 9, 2016, Aroldis Chapman made his first appearance for the New York Yankees after serving a suspension.

July 19, 2016: Matched Fastest Pitch Record

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

July 25, 2016: Trade to the Chicago Cubs

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

December 15, 2016: Signed with Yankees

On December 15, 2016, Aroldis Chapman signed a five-year, $86 million contract to return to the New York Yankees. This contract was the largest for a relief pitcher at the time.

2016: NLDS Saves Record

During the 2016 National League Division Series (NLDS) against the San Francisco Giants, Aroldis Chapman tied and set new Division Series records with three saves in four opportunities.

2016: Trade to the Cubs and World Series Win

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

2016: NLCS Appearance and Pennant Win

In 2016, Aroldis Chapman made four appearances during the National League Championship Series (NLCS) against the Los Angeles Dodgers, helping the Cubs secure their first pennant since 1945.

2016: 2016 World Series Performance

In the 2016 World Series, Aroldis Chapman played a crucial role for the Chicago Cubs. He pitched in multiple games, including Game 5 where he pitched through the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings to preserve the Cubs' lead. In Game 7, he blew a save but ultimately became the winning pitcher as the Cubs secured their first World Series title in a long time.

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, 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 per hour, best in MLB.

2017: Davis Ties NLDS Saves Record

In the 2017 National League Division Series, Wade Davis tied Chapman's 2016 NLDS saves record, but with only three opportunities.

July 13, 2018: Skipped 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.

2018: Added Sinker

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

2019: 2019 Season Achievements

In 2019, Aroldis Chapman had a successful season, recording 37 saves, a 2.21 ERA, and 85 strikeouts. He received the AL Reliever of the Month Award for both May and August, and the Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year Award. He also gave up a walk-off home run to Jose Altuve in Game 6 of the ALCS.

2019: AL Reliever of the Year Award

In 2019, while playing for the New York Yankees, Aroldis Chapman was named the AL Reliever of the Year.

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.

2021: Named to All-Star Game

On July 6, 2025, Chapman was named to his eighth All-Star Game, and his first since 2021.

2022: Contract surpassed by Edwin Díaz

In 2022, the five-year, $86 million contract that Aroldis Chapman signed on December 15, 2016, was surpassed by Edwin Díaz as the largest contract given to a relief pitcher.

January 27, 2023: Signed with Kansas City Royals

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

June 30, 2023: Traded to Texas Rangers

On June 30, 2023, the Royals traded Chapman to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Cole Ragans and Roni Cabrera. He later won his second World Series ring.

2023: World Series Championship with the Rangers

In 2023, Aroldis Chapman won the World Series with the Texas Rangers, marking his second championship.

January 31, 2024: Signed with Pittsburgh Pirates

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

June 29, 2024: Passed Wagner for Most Strikeouts

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

December 10, 2024: Signed with Boston Red Sox

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

2024: Season with the Pirates

Aroldis Chapman played for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2024.

April 19, 2025: Fastest pitch for Red Sox Pitcher

On April 19, 2025, Chapman threw the fastest pitch recorded for a Red Sox pitcher with 102.3 miles per hour. He broke his own record seven days later, throwing a pitch recorded at 103.4 mph.