What is the Fastest Pitch Ever Thrown in an MLB Game?

By Oliver Wiener May 15, 2024 06:48

Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images

The velocity of a baseball pitch has always fascinated players as well as fans. Throughout history, a long list of legendary pitchers have thrown pitches faster than anyone else in the game to that point—their records going down as among the most-renowned feats from baseball lore.

A Brief History of the Fastest Pitches

Aroldis Chapman — Officially recognized by the MLB, AChapman holds that Guinness World record for fastest baseball pitch at 105.8 mph on September 24th,2010 while playing for the Cincinnati Reds against the San Diego Padres.

Ben Joyce — Threw a 105.5 mph Pitch. Tennessee Volunteers pitcher Ben Joyce made history when he threw the ball at an unbelievable speed of 105.5 MPH on May 1, 2022, in their match versus Auburn.

Other Notable Records:

Nolan Ryan's 108.1 mph fastball in 1974 and Bob Feller's pitch of 107.6mph back in 1946 are frequently referenced as unofficial records because the measurement technology that existed at that time was far less analytical than now which made it impossible to trust modern-day readings against older technology.

Innovations in the Measurement of Pitch Speed

The use of some new tracking technology has made huge progress in the accuracy with which velocity is now measured.

Radar guns and Doppler laser radar readings have modernized the evaluation process of pitch speed, which are important tools in providing more accurate and reliable stats.

These advances have helped provide a more detailed perspective on the capabilities of pitching speed in baseball.

The Impact High-Velocity Pitches Have On The Game

The capacity to hurl balls of that insane velocity has made quite the dent in baseball. The velocity enhancements in pitching have brought about more pitches at 100 mph than ever. In 2022, it even reached a record-low batting average of. 243.

Key Players and their Top Speeds

Aroldis Chapman — There is a reason he has eight of the top 10 hardest pitches ever recorded in data just since PITCHf/x came into vogue, including that fastest one at 105.8 mph.

Ben Joyce — The sheer velocity of his pitching earned the NCAA newbie a rapid ascent to the MLB, after spending only 1 year in college.

Nolan Ryan and Bob Feller — Two of the best, fastest pitchers to ever play baseball; unofficial record holders in fastball speeds.

Pitch Velocity Trends Analysis

This means that while pitchers may be getting increasingly better at throwing harder in general, the trend does hold water. The past year or two has seen pitchers hit record-high speeds with regularity, redefining old benchmarks and what was assumed to be humanly possible.

A sustained uptick in fastball velocity has changed the face of baseball, making life so difficult on hitters and reshaping what we consider to be lefthanded pitching at its best.

Quest for the Ultimate Pitching Speed

As pitching velocity continues to skyrocket, the legitimate question then becomes: what is peak pitch speed? People are naturally curious as to just how hard is it possible that human beings can throw.

The evolution of the fastest pitches thrown in Major League Baseball games represents some of baseball's most amazing pitching performances.

The pursuit of triple-digit velocity is as much a part of baseball lore and history, from Aroldis Chapman's career numbers to the mythic fastballs attributed to Nolan Ryan and Bob Feller.

While technology continues to improve, the appreciation of pitching velocity is surely going to be enriched in the decades ahead by even more advanced equipment — upholding this remarkable tradition.