Aroldis Chapman's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Aroldis Chapman. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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 also played for the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers, and Pittsburgh Pirates. A left-handed pitcher, Chapman is a member of the 300 save club and holds the record for the most strikeouts by a left-handed reliever in MLB history.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

September 24, 2011: Revised Fastest Pitch Thrown

In 2017, when MLB changed from the PITCHf/x to Statcast measurements, a pitch Aroldis 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.

2012: Improvement in Control

After issuing 41 walks in 50 innings the previous season, in 2012, Aroldis Chapman walked 23 batters over 71+2⁄3 innings.

2015: Fastest Pitches of the Season

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

July 19, 2016: Matching Previous Record of Fastest Pitch

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

2016: Winning the World Series with the Chicago Cubs

In 2016, Aroldis Chapman played a crucial role in the World Series with the Cubs facing elimination. He pitched in Games 5, 6, and 7. Despite blowing a save in Game 7, the Cubs won in extra innings, making Chapman the winning pitcher and securing his first World Series title.

2017: Fastest Pitch Hit for a Home Run in Statcast Era

In 2017, Rafael Devers hit a home run off a 103 mph pitch by Aroldis Chapman, making it the fastest pitch hit for a home run in the Statcast era at the time. Also in 2017, Chapman's fastest pitch was 104.3 miles per hour, best in MLB. His four-seam fastball had the highest average speed of any MLB pitcher's pitches in 2017, at 99.7 mph.

2019: AL Reliever of the Year Award

In 2019, Aroldis Chapman was 3-2 with 37 saves and a 2.21 ERA. 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.

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.

June 30, 2023: Traded to the Texas Rangers

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

June 29, 2024: Passing 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.

2024: Strikeout Percentage Among Pitchers

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