Left-handed reliever Aroldis Chapman has joined the Pittsburgh Pirates on a one-year deal worth $10.5 million, ESPN confirmed late on Monday. The 35-year-old is the hardest-throwing pitcher in baseball history since velocity tracking was introduced.
With a fastball averaging over 99 mph, Chapman played a crucial role in guiding the Texas Rangers to their first World Series Championship title this year. He struck out 103 in 58⅓ innings, walking 36, and allowed our home runs with a 3.09 ERA. After signing a one-year, $3.75 million deal with the Kansas City Royals before the 2023 season, Chapman was dealt to the Texans in June for left-hander Cole Ragans.
Entering his 15th season in the MLB, Chapman holds a career strikeout rate of 14.8 per nine innings; the best of any pitcher who has thrown more than 500 innings. He has saved 321 games, making the All-Star team on seven occasions.
