Jarren Duran stole the show Saturday, literally.
Duran became the first Red Sox player with a straight steal of home since Jacoby Ellsbury did it exactly 16 years ago (April 26, 2009) against the Yankees.
But something else notable happened and it flew under the radar. Closer Aroldis Chapman reached 103.4 mph with his fastball, the second fastest MLB pitch this season.
Athletics closer Mason Miller’s 103.7 mph fastball April 12 remains the fastest pitch of 2025.
Chapman also threw pitches of 102.4 mph and 101.5 mph in the ninth inning Saturday. He has thrown 100 fastballs this year, averaging 98.5 mph with it. He touched 105.1 mph last Aug. 7.
“I think for everybody the velo is eye opening,” manager Alex Cora said before Boston’s series finale against the Guardians at Progressive Field on Sunday. “For me, the strike throwing has been the highlight of the season so far. Just to get him in the strike zone — good things are gonna happen. And he’s not walking too many. He’s striking out a lot. And obviously his stuff is amazing."
Chapman has averaged 3.5 walks per nine innings, down from 6.0 walks per nine innings in 233 outings from 2021-24.
“He threw a split yesterday down in the zone after throwing 102,” Cora said. “That’s unfair."
