Aroldis Chapman: Are you kidding me?

Chapman recorded the fastest pitch in MLB history with a 105 mph fastball. It was called for a ball. Still, Chapman didn’t have to turn to any other pitch in his arsenal. Why throw a fastball when you clock a consistent 100 mph fastball, right?

Tony Gwynn, the San Diego Padre, who witnessed the record breaking pitch at home plate was in disbelief of what he saw.

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“I didn’t see it until the ball was behind me,” Gwynn said. “I was trying not to look at the radar reading because I’d be intimidated. I saw how hard he was throwing and just tried to be slow and work my hands.”

Chapman now owns the 1st and 3rd fastest pitches thrown in MLB history. He is a relief pitcher for now but with his enormous potential he’ll undoubtedly be starting for the Reds sooner rather than later.

The 22-year-old credited extended rest as the reason why he was able to throw the record breaking pitch. All of his 25 pitches thrown in 1 1/3 innings were all in the 100 mph range. He struck out two batters in his short work.

The scary thing is the fact that Chapman didn’t even bother to throw other pitches. Yes, who needs to throw a change-up when you can throw heaters that fast? But it can be bad for his young career.

All those heaters really take their toll on pitchers and is arguably the pitch that contributes more to the wear and tear of their shoulders. If he doesn’t realize that he needs at least three pitches to be an effective pitcher in the league, his potential will be put to waste.

After throwing the 105 mph heater, many argued why Dusty Baker didn’t bring in the kid earlier.

“A guy throwing that hard, looking back you can say I should have brought him in earlier, but he can’t pitch against everybody all the time,” Baker said.

Just to give an idea of how impressive Chapman’s pitch was here’s a list of the fastest pitches in the history of the MLB.

The Top 5 Fastest MLB pitches

Aroldis Chapman (2010, Cincinnati Reds) 105
Joel Zumaya (2006, Detroit Tigers) 104.8
Aroldis Chapman (2010, Cincinnati Reds) 104
Mark Wohlers (1995, Atlanta Braves) 103
Armando Benitez (2002, San Francisco Giants) 102

Benitez, Zumaya and Wohlers aren’t exactly bad pitchers, in fact Wohlers and Benitez are former All-Stars, but possessing a heater that would make even Superman jealous is not a guarantee for success.

Bottom line is Chapman needs to stop showing the heat and starting working on variety.