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The hardest-throwing pitchers in MLB
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The hardest-throwing pitchers in MLB

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 2023 season, based on average four-seam fastball velocity from Statcast.

 
1 of 25

1. Jhoan Duran, RP, Twins

Jhoan Duran, RP, Twins
Jesse Johnson / USA Today Sports Images

Duran emerged as Minnesota's closer last season and also the game's hardest thrower. His four-seam fastball averaged 101.8 mph, and he fanned 12.1 batters per nine innings.

 
2 of 25

2. Jordan Hicks, RP, Giants

Jordan Hicks, RP, Giants
Dan Hamilton / USA Today Sports Images

Hicks should be rewarded handsomely in free agency after one his best seasons in 2023. He averaged 100.3 mph on his four-seamer and also triple digits with his sinker.

 
3 of 25

3. Felix Bautista, RP, Orioles

Felix Bautista, RP, Orioles
Steven Bisig / USA Today Sports Images

Bautista was an elite closer for the Orioles, posting a 1.48 ERA and 33 saves. He also averaged 99.5 mph with his fastball. Unfortunately, Bautista is likely to miss most all of 2024 after Tommy John surgery.

 
4 of 25

4. Bobby Miller, SP, Dodgers

Bobby Miller, SP, Dodgers
Kiyoski Mio / USA Today Sports Images

Miller shows elite velocity as a starting pitcher, averaging 99.1 mph and posting a 3.76 ERA in 22 starts as a rookie. He's looking to build on that performance this season.

 
5 of 25

5. Carlos Hernandez, RP, Royals

Carlos Hernandez, RP, Royals
Kelley L. Cox / USA Today Sports Images

While erratic at times, Hernandez has his velocity down averaging 99.1 with his four-seam fastball last season. He finished with an ERA above 5.00 but did fan 9.9 batters per nine innings.

 
6 of 25

6. Aroldis Chapman, RP, Free Agent

Aroldis Chapman, RP, Free Agent
Joe Rondone / USA Today Sports Images

Chapman's velocity rebounded last season after struggling in 2022. He averaging 99.0 mph on his four-seamer and 101.1 mph with his sinker while posting 15.9 strikeouts per nine innings.

 
7 of 25

7. Emmanuel Clase, RP, Guardians

Emmanuel Clase, RP, Guardians
Ken Blaze / USA Today Sports Images

Clase has become an elite closer over the last three seasons with an elite sinker. His four-seam fastball averaged 98.5 mph last season.

 
8 of 25

8. Shintaro Fujinami, RP, Free Agent

Shintaro Fujinami, RP, Free Agent
Kiyoshi Mio / USA Today Sports Images

Fujinami struggled early last season in Oakland as a starter, but found his footing in Baltimore out of the bullpen. His fastball averaged 98.4 mph.

 
9 of 25

9. Hunter Greene, SP, Reds

Hunter Greene, SP, Reds
Sam Greene / USA Today Sports Images

The fireballing Greene has struggled with injuries during his pro career, but there's no questioning his arm. He had 12.2 strikeouts per nine innings and averaged 98.3 mph with his fastball.

 
10 of 25

10. Reynaldo Lopez, P, Braves

Reynaldo Lopez, P, Braves
Dale Zanine / USA Today Sports Images

Lopez saw an uptick in velocity out of the bullpen last season while pitching with three different teams, averaging 98.2 mph. The Braves are hopeful the trend can continue after signing him in free agency, and could potentially use Lopez as a starter.

 
11 of 25

11. Matt Brash, RP, Mariners

Matt Brash, RP, Mariners
Stephen Brashear / USA Today Sports Images

Brash flashes an elite repertoire led by a four-seam fastball that averages 98.1 mph. He had 13.6 strikeouts per nine innings in 2023.

 
12 of 25

12. Julian Merryweather, RP, Cubs

Julian Merryweather, RP, Cubs
Matt Blewett / USA Today Sports Images

Merryweather has struggled with injuries for much of his career, but finally stayed healthy last season for the Cubs. He paid off as an elite setup man and averaged 98.1 mph on his fastball.

 
13 of 25

13. Sandy Alcantara, SP, Marlins

Sandy Alcantara, SP, Marlins
Jim Rassol / USA Today Sports Images

Alcantara was unable to repeat as a Cy Young winner but still had a strong season with a 4.14 ERA in 28 starts. He also averaged 98 mph on his fastball. Unfortunately, he will miss all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery.

 
14 of 25

14. Lucas Erceg, RP, Athletics

Lucas Erceg, RP, Athletics
Jim Cowsert / USA Today Sports Images

Erceg emerged in the A's bullpen as a hard thrower, averaging 97.9 mph. The fastball helped him fan 11.1 batters per nine innings.

 
15 of 25

15. Bryan Abreu, RP, Astros

Bryan Abreu, RP, Astros
Andrew Dieb / USA Today Sports Images

Abreu has been an elite setup man in Houston over the last two seasons with a sub-2.00 ERA. He averaged 97.6 mph on his fastball last season.

 
16 of 25

16. Eury Perez, SP, Marlins

Eury Perez, SP, Marlins
Jim Rassol / USA Today Sports Images

Perez was as advertised as an elite prospect when Miami promoted him last season. He finished with a sub-4.00 ERA in 19 starts and averaged 97.5 mph on his fastball.

 
17 of 25

17. Grayson Rodriguez, SP, Orioles

Grayson Rodriguez, SP, Orioles
Mitch Stringer / USA Today Sports Images

Rodriguez carries momentum after a great second half in 2023. The O's ace averaged 97.4 on his fastball.

 
18 of 25

18. Kyle Finnegan, RP, Nationals

Kyle Finnegan, RP, Nationals
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images

Finnegan was a lockdown closer for the Nats and a hard thrower. He averaged 97.3 mph on his fastball.

 
19 of 25

19. Gregory Santos, RP, White Sox

Gregory Santos, RP, White Sox
Stan Szeto / USA Today Sports Images

Santos flashed as a closer for the White Sox late last season. He averaged 97.3 mph on his four-seam fastball and 98.9 mph on his sinker.

 
20 of 25

20. Spencer Strider, SP, Braves

Spencer Strider, SP, Braves
Eric Hartline / USA Today Sports Images

Strider has been an ace in Atlanta over the last two seasons. He's also shown an elite fastball that's averaged 97.2 mph.

 
21 of 25

21. Carlos Estevez, RP, Angels

Carlos Estevez, RP, Angels
Nathan Ray Seebeck / USA Today Sports Images

Estevez saw an increase in velocity as the Angels' closer last season. His fastball averaged 97.1 mph.

 
22 of 25

22. Luis Garcia, RP, Angels

Luis Garcia, RP, Angels
John Hefti / USA Today Sports Images

Garcia saw his velocity fall slightly with the Padres last season but still averaged 97.0 mph. He signed with the Angels this offseason.

 
23 of 25

23. Shohei Ohtani, SP, Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani, SP, Dodgers
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Ohtani made headlines with a record-breaking contract this offseason. He won't pitch in 2024 following elbow surgery, but was one of the hardest throwers in the game last year for the Angels, averaging 96.8 on his four-seam fastball.

 
24 of 25

24. Shane McClanahan, SP, Rays

Shane McClanahan, SP, Rays
Tim Heitman / USA Today Sports Images

McClanahan is likely to miss all of 2024 following elbow surgery, which is a shame after showing as Tampa Bay's ace over the last three years. He averaged 96.8 mph last season.

 
25 of 25

25. Tanner Scott, RP, Marlins

Tanner Scott, RP, Marlins
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

Scott emerged as Miami's closer during the second half of last season. The lefty had a 2.31 ERA in 74 appearances and averaged 96.8 mph with his fastball.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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