The Major League Baseball (MLB) is home to some of the most skilled and talented pitchers in the world. Every year, these pitchers compete to throw the hardest pitch in the league. But which one is the hardest? Here, we take a look at the contenders for the title of the hardest pitch thrown in the MLB.
The Fastball
The fastball is one of the most common pitches thrown in the MLB and arguably the most difficult to hit. It is a pitch that relies on velocity and is thrown with the pitcher’s full force. The fastball typically reaches speeds of up to 100mph, but can reach speeds up to 105mph or even higher.
The Slider
The slider is a type of fastball that is thrown with a spin, causing it to break or move in a different direction than the fastball. It is usually thrown with a slower velocity than the fastball and can reach speeds up to 90mph. The slider is considered to be one of the most difficult pitches to hit due to its unpredictable movement.
The Changeup
The changeup is a slower pitch than the fastball and the slider, and is typically thrown with a three-quarter arm motion. It is meant to deceive the batter, as the slower speed and different arm angle make it difficult to distinguish from the fastball. The changeup typically reaches speeds of up to 85mph.
The Curveball
The curveball is a type of pitch that relies on spin to move the ball in a different direction than the fastball. It is usually thrown with a slower velocity than the fastball and can reach speeds up to 75mph. The curveball is considered to be one of the most difficult pitches to hit due to its unpredictable movement.
The Splitter
The splitter is a type of pitch that relies on spin to move the ball in a different direction than the fastball. It is usually thrown with a slower velocity than the fastball and can reach speeds up to 85mph. The splitter is considered to be one of the most difficult pitches to hit due to its unpredictable movement.
Aroldis Chapman’s 105 mph Fastball
Aroldis Chapman is a Cuban-born pitcher for the New York Yankees, and is renowned for having one of the hardest fastballs in the league. He has been clocked throwing a fastball of up to 105mph, making him one of the few pitchers to ever reach that speed. He is also known for his slider, which has been clocked up to 93mph.
Noah Syndergaard’s 101 mph Fastball
Noah Syndergaard is a pitcher for the New York Mets, and is known for having one of the hardest fastballs in the league. He has been clocked throwing a fastball of up to 101mph, making him one of the few pitchers to ever reach that speed. He is also known for his slider, which has been clocked up to 93mph.
What is the Hardest Pitch Thrown in the MLB?
The title of the “hardest pitch thrown in the MLB” is a hotly contested one. While there is no definitive answer, it is generally accepted that Aroldis Chapman’s 105 mph fastball and Noah Syndergaard’s 101 mph fastball are the two hardest pitches ever thrown in the MLB.
Conclusion
The MLB is home to some of the most skilled and talented pitchers in the world. Every year, these pitchers compete to throw the hardest pitch in the league. While there is no definitive answer as to which pitch is the hardest, it is generally accepted that Aroldis Chapman’s 105mph fastball and Noah Syndergaard’s 101mph fastball are the two hardest pitches ever thrown in the MLB.