Breaking News: Aroldis Chapman Makes MLB Debut

If you blinked you missed the pitch. That’s how fast Reds reliever Aroldis Chapman was in his MLB debut. The highly touted Cuban pitcher has spent much of the Red’s pennant chasing season getting hitters in the minors to chase his almost unhittable fastball. But on August 31st he had a chance to play for the Reds and show them what he’s got.

And he did not disappoint.

He retired the side in the 8th on 8 pitches. He had a strikeout and 2 weak ground outs. Half of his pitches tested the durability of the radar gun by hitting over 100 mph. There was certainly enough hype surrounding the 22 year old Cuban but when it was time to dazzle, dazzle he did starting with wowing the crowd during the warm up tosses. The velocity from his pitches had the stadium on their feet and have the Reds wondering how much he could matter for them in the postseason.

There is certainly hesitation because of his age and experience but if you saw him pitch last night he was a man on a mission and a pitcher with an arm like that is a boon to the team, especially in a pennant race. It appears the lead keeps growing for Cincinnati in the division so the question left is what do they need to go further in the postseason?

Aroldis Chapman is making a case and the Reds are certainly willing to listen.

September 1, 2010 – Michael Cahill If you blinked you missed the pitch. That’s how fast Reds reliever Aroldis Chapman was in his MLB debut. The highly touted Cuban pitcher has spent much of the Red’s pennant chasing season getting hitters in the minors to chase his almost unhittable fastball. But on August 31st he [...]