Fastest Baseball Pitch Ever: 105.1 MPH by Chapman

The fastest baseball pitch ever recorded was 105.1 mph (169.1 km\/h), thrown by Aroldis Chapman on September 24, 2010, while playing for the Cincinnati Reds. This record has stood unchallenged for over a decade and remains the official benchmark recognized by Major League Baseball (MLB) and Guinness World Records.

Understanding the Fastest Recorded Pitch in Baseball History

When discussing the limits of human performance in sports, few feats are as electrifying as a 105+ mph fastball. The current world record for the fastest pitch belongs to Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman, whose explosive delivery redefined what was thought possible on the mound.

Who Threw the Fastest Pitch?

Aroldis Chapman, nicknamed "The Cuban Missile," made history during a regular-season game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. The pitch was clocked at 105.1 mph using MLB's PITCHf/x tracking system, which is calibrated to measure ball velocity at release point.

• Name:<\/strong> Aroldis Chapman<\/li>
• Date:<\/strong> September 24, 2010<\/li>
• Team:<\/strong> Cincinnati Reds<\/li>
• Opponent:<\/strong> San Diego Padres<\/li>
• Velocity:<\/strong> 105.1 mph (169.1 km\/h)<\/li>
• Pitch Type:<\/strong> Four-seam fastball<\/li>
• Tracking System:<\/strong> PITCHf\xfcx (MLB-approved)<\/li> <\/ul>

  How Pitch Speed Is Measured

  Accurate measurement of pitch velocity is critical for validating records. Over the years, MLB has used several radar-based systems to track speed:

  • PITCHf\/x<\/strong>: Used from 2008–2016; measured velocity at ~50 feet from home plate<\/li>
  • Statcast<\/strong>: Introduced in 2017; uses high-resolution cameras and Doppler radar; measures release velocity more accurately<\/li>
  • Radar guns<\/strong>: Handheld devices sometimes used at amateur levels but less reliable<\/li> <\/ul>

    Because PITCHf\/x and Statcast measure velocity at slightly different points, direct comparisons across eras require context. However, MLB maintains that Chapman’s 105.1 mph pitch remains the highest authenticated speed.

    Top Fastball Velocities in MLB History

    <\/table>

    Player	Velocity (mph)	Year	Team	Pitch Type	Tracking System
    Aroldis Chapman	105.1	2010	Cincinnati Reds	Four-seam Fastball	PITCHf\/x<\/td>
    Aroldis Chapman	105.0	2010<\/td>	Cincinnati Reds<\/td>	Four-seam Fastball<\/td>	PITCHf\/x<\/td>
    Ben Johnson<\/td>	105.0<\/td>	2009<\/td>	St. Louis Cardinals<\/td>	Unknown<\/td>	PITCHf\/x<\/td>
    Stephen Strasburg<\/td>	105.0<\/td>	2010<\/td>	Washington Nationals<\/td>	Four-seam Fastball<\/td>	PITCHf\/x<\/td>
    Shohei Ohtani<\/td>	104.9<\/td>	2022<\/td>	Los Angeles Angels<\/td>	Four-seam Fastball<\/td>	Statcast<\/td>
    Nolan Ryan<\/td>	103.0*<\/td>	1974<\/td>	California Angels<\/td>	Fastball<\/td>	Radar Gun (unverified)<\/td>