Eyes Fix on Radar Gun When Cuban Rookie Pitches (103.9 mph fastball)

[depakid]

Aroldis Chapman is testing the limits of just how fast a human can throw a baseball. On Wednesday night at Great American Ball Park, in the second electrifying appearance of his major league career, Chapman fired a fastball that registered 103.9 miles an hour, the hardest pitch in the majors over the last three seasons.

Chapman, a left-hander who signed a six-year, $30.25 million contract in January after defecting from Cuba, earned his first victory with another perfect inning, getting a groundout and two swinging strikeouts, both on sliders. The Reds thumped the Milwaukee Brewers, 6-1, swelling their lead in the National League Central to eight games, a season high.

“All I wanted to do was get here and be a part of the best baseball in the world,” Chapman, 22, said through his interpreter, the Class AAA trainer Tomas Vera. “The only thought I have is to get here and stay here.”

If he keeps pitching this way, Chapman may never see the minors again. On Wednesday, his first pitch to his third batter, Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy, was a ball, low and in. The crowd squealed as the stadium radar gun punched up 103 miles an hour. According to data from pitch f/x, it was actually a bit faster, at 103.9.

Three pitches later, on a ball in the dirt, Chapman topped 103 again. The Reds expected a lot from Chapman, but he is throwing even harder than they knew. “It’s just the work I’ve been doing,” said Chapman, who got a game ball and lineup card as souvenirs. “Just doing my job.”

Chapman had reached 102.7 m.p.h. in his debut Tuesday, with a pitch Craig Counsell grounded to shortstop. That pitch matched two by Detroit’s Joel Zumaya in 2009 for the fastest in the last three seasons.

Before Wednesday, seven other pitches since 2008 — including one by the Mets’ Bobby Parnell last month — had registered 102.5 m.p.h. or higher. Three were swinging strikes, two were fouls and two were balls. Counsell is the only hitter to put one in play.

More: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/02/sports/baseball/02kepner.html?ref=sports

[TZ]

1. Impressive

However if he doesn't work on getting some other pitches besides a fastball, the hitters will get to him eventually (I feel like an expert on fireballers after watching a few months of Strasburg, LOL :))

[depakid]

2. Apparently he's been clocked at 105

but the wiki reflects the same concerns:

Chapman usually stays in the mid to high 90's. He also throws a plus slider and an average changeup. Scouts worry about his control issues and lack of a solid third pitch, noting that these issues could affect his ability to be a major league starter.

...Control issues?

:o

[TZ]

3. I noticed a couple of pitches in the dirt from the other night

A one inning closer is probably the best use of this guy at the moment. But yeah, thats impressive speed.