Aroldis Chapman Shocks MLB With 105 MPH Fastball—Watch the Must-See Clip

BOSTON — Aroldis Chapman’s renaissance season keeps adding plot twists, and each new wrinkle magnifies his value to a surging Boston Red Sox club. The 37-year-old left-hander entered the week with a 1.18 ERA, 58 strikeouts in 38 innings and 17 saves in 18 chances, production that earned him his first All-Star selection since 2021 and placed him squarely in the spotlight ahead of the 2025 MLB trade deadline. Why Chapman is trending • Dominant numbers: Statcast still clocks his fastball inside the 98th percentile for velocity, proof that the Cuban flamethrower’s trademark heat hasn’t cooled with age. • Deadline intrigue: With contenders hungry for late-inning relief, national insider Ken Rosenthal labeled a Chapman deal “a surprise” but not impossible, keeping rumor mills humming. • Contract status: The southpaw is on a one-year, $10.75 million pact that expires this winter, giving Boston three options—extend, trade or risk a free-agent exit. Red Sox calculus Boston’s front office insists it’s focused on October, and shipping out an elite closer would send the opposite message. Internal discussions include a short-term extension that would keep Chapman anchoring the bullpen while prospects mature. Club officials privately point to his 37 percent strikeout rate and newfound 2.4 BB/9 mark—his best control since 2019—as reasons to bet on sustained success. Why teams keep calling League sources say at least four playoff hopefuls—two from the NL Central and two AL West powers—have checked Chapman’s price tag. They see a proven postseason weapon who owns a career 2.55 ERA in October and, thanks to a revamped offseason training program, is averaging 99.3 mph deep into July. The X-factor: workload management Manager Alex Cora has limited Chapman to three straight days just once all season, aiming to preserve zip on the heater for the stretch run. The lefty’s average spin rate is actually climbing month-to-month, evidence that the plan is working and bolstering Boston’s argument for retention. What’s next The Red Sox play 10 of their next 13 against AL East foes; Chapman’s performance in those high-leverage showdowns could decide both Boston’s division hopes and his own future. If the club keeps winning, expect extension talks to heat up. Should the standings tighten, rival GMs will keep dialing. Either way, the Chapman story is far from finished—and so is the traffic it’s generating.