Red Sox’s Chapman Sets New Record with Fastest Pitch

BOSTON, Mass. — The Boston Red Sox achieved a thrilling victory against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday, with the game extending into extra innings. This remarkable match showcased not only a standout performance by pitcher Garrett Crochet but also marked a historic moment as Aroldis Chapman threw the fastest recorded pitch in Red Sox history.

Rafael Devers hit a crucial home run, and first baseman Triston Casas delivered a walk-off base hit, sealing the game for the Red Sox. Chapman made headlines as he hurled a blistering 102.3 miles per hour fastball, surpassing the previous record of 102.2 mph set by Joe Kelly and Daniel Bard. According to MassLive.com reporter Chris Cotillo, “Chapman is up to 102.3 mph, which is the hardest by a Red Sox pitcher in the Statcast era.”

Fans were quick to note that Chapman had actually thrown a pitch at 102.0 mph earlier, but this latest throw officially solidifies his record. In just ten appearances with the team, Chapman has already made his mark with the fastest pitch in the franchise’s history. His previous record for the fastest pitch in Major League Baseball history stands at 105.8 mph.

As the season progresses, Chapman’s performance raises questions about whether he could potentially break his own speed record. Last season, while with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he managed to reach 105.1 mph.

The Red Sox have high hopes for Garrett Crochet, who has had an impressive start in the 2025 season. In his five starts, Crochet has recorded a 1.13 ERA, a strong start for a player in Red Sox history with a minimum of 30 innings pitched. Despite his success, he expressed a desire to improve further. After Saturday’s game, Crochet candidly stated, “It feels good, but I feel like I’m getting away with murder… This is not the standard that I hold myself to.”

“I expect to have my best stuff every time out. That was obviously not the case, but you can dream and you can work toward perfection even if you’ll never reach it,” he added. The 25-year-old pitcher has become one of the most electrifying starters in baseball, creating excitement around his potential future performances.

In addition to Chapman and Crochet, the Red Sox have a robust pitching lineup, although fans are still waiting to see the full rotation. Brayan Bello is on track to return to the team within the week, while Lucas Giolito and Kutter Crawford are also making progress towards their season debuts.

Amid the anticipation, there has been speculation about potential additions to the pitching staff. Newsweek‘s Andrew Wright mentioned the possibility of Martín Pérez returning to the Red Sox, noting his impressive 1.59 ERA as favorable compared to other members of the Boston rotation. Pérez could serve as either a starter or a long reliever, though it’s uncertain how he would fit into the current team’s depth without a significant roster change.

Overall, the Red Sox remain optimistic about their current pitching squad, demonstrating depth and resilience as the season unfolds. The excitement surrounding Chapman’s record and Crochet’s performance presents a bright future for the team.