Pitchers have never thrown harder than they do in modern baseball, where radar gun readings now hit triple digits regularly. These are the hardest throwing pitchers in MLB during the 2022 season, based on average fastball velocity according to Fangraphs.com.
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1. Jhoan Duran, RP, Twins
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Duran is the only pitcher in MLB averaging better than 100 mph on his fastball, and he's been a dominant reliever for Minnesota. He has a 2.81 ERA and 36/4 K/BB in 25.2 innings with four saves.
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2. Brusdar Graterol, RP, Dodgers
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Graterol continues to throw screaming sinkers, averaging 99.8 mph. He's still struggled to miss bats with only 22 strikeouts in 26.1 innings, and has a 4.44 ERA, as a result.
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3. Emmanuel Clase, RP, Guardians
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Clase has emerged as an elite closer with his 99.7 mph sinker. The Guardians reliever has 10 saves with a 1.93 ERA and 27/4 K/BB in 23.1 innings.
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4. Andres Munoz, RP, Mariners
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Returning from Tommy John surgery this season, Munoz has struggled in spite of his great stuff. He has a 5.31 ERA in 22 appearances but has a fastball averaging 99.7 mph.
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5. Ryan Helsley, RP, Cardinals
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Helsley has added velocity this season, averaging 99.0 mph, and is flashing as a part-time closer in St. Louis. He has an elite 0.39 ERA and 32/6 K/BB in 23.1 innings with four saves.
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6. Jordan Hicks, SP, Cardinals
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A former closer, Hicks served as a starting pitcher for the Cardinals before he went on the injured list with an arm injury. The lengthier role didn't stop him from averaging 98.8 mph on his fastball, but he had a 5.02 ERA with 20 walks in 28.2 innings.
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7. Jose Alvarado, RP, Phillies
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Alvarado's poor control got the best of him this season, with a 7.62 ERA over 13 innings due in part to 10 walks. The lefty still showed off elite velocity, averaging 98.8 mph on his fastball.
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8. Edwin Diaz, RP, Mets
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Diaz continues to be one of the game's best closers, with 11 saves with a 2.28 ERA in 23.2 innings. His fastball has averaged 98.7 mph this season, and Diaz has fanned 43 batters.
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9. Camilo Doval, RP, Giants
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Doval continues to fill in nicely as San Francisco's closer, with a 2.92 ERA and eight saves over 24.2 innings. He's brought the heat with a fastball averaging 98.7 mph.
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10. Ryne Stanek, RP, Astros
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Stanek has performed well in a middle relief role for Houston. His fastball has averaged 98.7 mph, and he has a 0.95 ERA in 19 innings.
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11. Hunter Greene, SP, Reds
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Greene's velocity has been somewhat inconsistent in his rookie campaign, averaging triple digits in some starts and significantly less velocity in others. He has a 5.40 ERA despite 72 strikeouts in 55 innings, averaging 98.5 mph with his fastball.
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12. Spencer Strider, SP, Braves
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Strider spent the start of the season in Atlanta's bullpen before shifting to the starting rotation and has averaged 98.4 mph on his fastball. The rookie has done a great job overall, with a 2.35 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 38.1 innings.
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13. Felix Bautista, RP, Orioles
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Bautista looks like a closer of the future for the Orioles, with a 98.3 mph fastball plus slider and splitter. He has a 1.88 ERA in 24 appearances.
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14. Gregory Soto, RP, Tigers
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Soto has been lights out as Detroit's closer this season, posting a 1.71 ERA in 21 innings. The lefty's fastball has averaged 98.2 mph.
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15. Miguel Castro, RP, Yankees
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Castro has thrown more sliders than fastballs, but his fastball is still averaged 98 mph. He has a 3.06 ERA in 17.2 innings for the Yankees.
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16. Anthony Bender, RP, Marlins
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Bender has served as Miami's closer when healthy, averaging 98 mph. He's currently on the injured list but posted a 4.50 ERA in 16 appearances.
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17. Bryan Abreu, RP, Astros
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Abreu has been a significant part of Houston's dominant bullpen with a 2.59 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 24.1 innings. His fastball has averaged 97.9 mph.
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18. Luis Garcia, RP, Padres
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Not to be confused by the Astros starting pitcher with the same name, Garcia added velocity last year and hasn't looked bad. He's averaging 97.9 mph on his fastball with a 2.53 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 21.1 innings.
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19. Daniel Bard, RP, Rockies
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Bard has performed well as Colorado's closer, with a 2.31 ERA and 12 saves over 22 appearances. The 37-year-old is still throwing bullets, averaging 97.8 mph on his fastball.
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20. Jorge Lopez, RP, Orioles
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Lopez has ascended to the closer role for the O's, averaging 97.8 mph. He has a 0.96 ERA in 24 appearances with seven saves.
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21. Gerrit Cole, SP, Yankees
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The Yankees ace continues to roll this season. He has a 3.63 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 67 innings, with an average fastball of 97.7 mph.
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22. Liam Hendriks, RP, White Sox
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Hendriks is one of the game's best and highest-paid closers. He's averaged 97.7 mph, posting a 2.81 ERA in 25.2 innings and leading the AL with 16 saves.
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23. Sandy Alcantara, SP, Marlins
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Alcantara has been a true power pitcher and workhorse for the Marlins. His fastball has averaged 97.7 mph, and he leads the NL with 83.2 innings. Alcantara also has a 1.61 ERA and 77 strikeouts.
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24. Jonathan Loaisiga, RP, Yankees
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Loaisiga's velocity has dropped to 97.6 mph this season, and it's possible he had an arm injury. He had a 7.02 ERA in 16.2 innings before going on the injured list.
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25. Dylan Coleman, RP, Royals
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Coleman hasn't seen many late-inning opportunities, but he's still shown elite velocity averaging 97.6 mph. He has a 3.57 ERA in 22.2 innings but has also walked 19 batters.
Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.
I'm well-versed in baseball analytics and trends, particularly in pitcher performance and velocity metrics. The advancements in technology, especially radar gun readings, have revolutionized how we understand the game, emphasizing the increasing fastball velocities among pitchers in modern baseball. The article you provided delves into the top pitchers of the 2022 MLB season, spotlighting their average fastball velocities and their corresponding performances.
This compilation highlights the prevalence of pitchers consistently throwing harder, with an emphasis on those regularly hitting triple digits. Players like Jhoan Duran, Brusdar Graterol, Emmanuel Clase, Andres Munoz, and others have showcased remarkable fastball velocities, some exceeding 99 mph, establishing themselves as dominant forces on the mound.
However, velocity isn't the sole determinant of a pitcher's success. The article nuances these statistics by offering additional performance metrics such as ERA (earned run average), strikeouts, walks, saves, and innings pitched. This broader context helps gauge a pitcher's overall effectiveness beyond sheer speed, as seen in players like Ryan Helsley, Edwin Diaz, and Camilo Doval, who demonstrate excellent performance alongside their high-velocity pitches.
The discussion also covers instances where pitchers struggle despite their impressive velocities, like Jordan Hicks, Jose Alvarado, and Jonathan Loaisiga, highlighting the importance of control and consistency alongside sheer power.
It's fascinating to see the evolution of pitchers' abilities, as demonstrated by rookies like Hunter Greene and Spencer Strider, who, despite varying levels of consistency, showcase immense potential and consistently high velocities.
Finally, the article offers insights into established pitchers like Gerrit Cole and Liam Hendriks, demonstrating that even among the league's best, maintaining high velocity correlates with successful performance.
The emphasis on velocity and its correlation to performance underscores the modern emphasis on power in the game, with pitchers increasingly using their high-speed fastballs to dominate hitters and shape the outcomes of games.
