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.
Nick Wosika / USA Today Sports Images
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.
Brad Mills / USA Today Sports Images
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.
Ken Blaze / USA Today Sports Images
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.
Bruce Kluckhohn / USA Today Sports Images
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.
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images
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.
Jeff Curry / USA Today Sports Images
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.
Eric Hartline / USA Today Sports Images
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.
Geoff Burke / USA Today Sports Images
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.
Eric Hartline / USA Today Sports Images
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.
Kevin Jairaj / USA Today Sports Images
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.
Kareem Elgazzar / USA Today Sports Images
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.
Joe Camporeale / USA Today Sports Images
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.
Brad Penner / USA Today Sports Images
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.
Rick Osentoski / USA Today Sports Images
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.
Nick Turchiaro / USA Today Sports Images
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.
Brad Mills / USA Today Sports Images
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.
Bruce Kluckhohn / USA Today Sports Images
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.
18 of 25
18. Luis Garcia, RP, Padres
Orlando Ramirez / USA Today Sports Images
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.
Brad Mills / USA Today Sports Images
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.
Denny Medley / USA Today Sports Images
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.
Nick Wosika / USA Today Sports Images
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.
Nathan Ray Seebeck / USA Today Sports Images
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.
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images
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.