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The hardest-throwing pitchers in MLB

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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.

 

Jhoan Duran, RP, Twins

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.

 

Brusdar Graterol, RP, Dodgers

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.

 

Emmanuel Clase, RP, Guardians

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.

 

Andres Munoz, RP, Mariners

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.

 

Ryan Helsley, RP, Cardinals

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.

 

Jordan Hicks, SP, Cardinals

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.

 

Jose Alvarado, RP, Phillies

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.

 

Edwin Diaz, RP, Mets

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.

 

Camilo Doval, RP, Giants

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.

 

Ryne Stanek, RP, Astros

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.

 

Hunter Greene, SP, Reds

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.

 

Spencer Strider, SP, Braves

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.

 

Felix Bautista, RP, Orioles

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.

 

Gregory Soto, RP, Tigers

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.

 

Miguel Castro, RP, Yankees

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.

 

Anthony Bender, RP, Marlins

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.

 

Bryan Abreu, RP, Astros

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.

 

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18. Luis Garcia, RP, Padres

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.

 

Daniel Bard, RP, Rockies

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.

 

Jorge Lopez, RP, Orioles

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.

 

Gerrit Cole, SP, Yankees

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.

 

Liam Hendriks, RP, White Sox

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.

 

Sandy Alcantara, SP, Marlins

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.

 

Jonathan Loaisiga, RP, Yankees

Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today Sports Images

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.

 

Dylan Coleman, RP, Royals

Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today Sports Images

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.


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