Aroldis Chapman's velocity in decline
September, 11, 2012
9/11/12
11:52
AM ET
By
David Schoenfield | ESPN.com
As the Cincinnati Reds cruise to the NL Central division title, we suddenly have something to pay attention to: Aroldis Chapman's fastball. And I don't mean in a "Did he really just do that?" way.
Per Dave Cameron's tweet, here's Chapman's velocity chart from FanGraphs.
In terms of raw numbers, Chapman's average fastball velocity on Monday -- when he walked three batters in the 10th and threw just six of his 21 fastballs for strikes -- was 94.4 mph, his lowest average velocity in an appearance this season. Check his past three outings, according to ESPN Stats & Info:
Sept. 4: 98.0 mph
Friday: 96.3 mph
Monday: 94.4 mph
That Friday appearance resulted in a game-losing three-run homer by the Astros' Matt Dominguez, hit off a 98 mph fastball. Chapman peaked at 97 mph on Monday, on a high 0-2 pitch to Pedro Alvarez.
"He might be a little tired. He might have to rest for a while," Reds manager Dusty Baker said after Monday's game.
It's not an issue yet, but Chapman has been so dominant that two poor outings in a row -- with a significant decline in his velocity -- raises a red flag. I'm guessing we won't see him for a few days. Pay attention to his next outing.
Per Dave Cameron's tweet, here's Chapman's velocity chart from FanGraphs.
In terms of raw numbers, Chapman's average fastball velocity on Monday -- when he walked three batters in the 10th and threw just six of his 21 fastballs for strikes -- was 94.4 mph, his lowest average velocity in an appearance this season. Check his past three outings, according to ESPN Stats & Info:
Sept. 4: 98.0 mph
Friday: 96.3 mph
Monday: 94.4 mph
That Friday appearance resulted in a game-losing three-run homer by the Astros' Matt Dominguez, hit off a 98 mph fastball. Chapman peaked at 97 mph on Monday, on a high 0-2 pitch to Pedro Alvarez.
"He might be a little tired. He might have to rest for a while," Reds manager Dusty Baker said after Monday's game.
It's not an issue yet, but Chapman has been so dominant that two poor outings in a row -- with a significant decline in his velocity -- raises a red flag. I'm guessing we won't see him for a few days. Pay attention to his next outing.
David Schoenfield | email
SweetSpot blogger- Senior writer of SweetSpot baseball blog
- Former deputy editor of Page 2
- Been with ESPN.com since 1995
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David Schoenfield
Schoenfield is a senior writer for ESPN.com and been with ESPN since 1995, having served as baseball editor and Page 2 senior editor. Follow Dave on Twitter: @dschoenfield and the SweetSpot blog on Facebook.
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