Aroldis Chapman, Relief Pitcher, Kansas City Royals

Date of Birth: 2/28/1988
Birthplace: Holguin, Cuba
Nickname: Cuban Missile, Cuban Flame Thrower

Aroldis Chapman, relief pitcher for the Kansas City Royals, played in Cuba in 2006 and 2007. He defected from Cuba on July 1, 2009. He signed a six-year, $30.25 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds on January 11, 2010. He pitched in the minor leagues for just a short time, pitching in 39 games in 2010 and 9 games in 2011.

Chapman first joined the Reds for 15 games in 2010. On September 25th of that year, he made major league baseball history by pitching a ball at 105.1 mph. That was the fastest recognized pitch in MLB history.

In 2011, Chapman pitched out of the Reds' bullpen. He finished the season with a 4-1 record, 1 save, and a 3.60 ERA in 54 games. He started the 2012 season as the Reds' setup man but he was moved into the closer position in May. That season was his best one so far. In 2012, he had career highs in innings pitched (71.2), strikeouts (122 to 23 walks), and saves (38). He also had a career low ERA of 1.51.

As the Reds' closer in 2013, Chapman again had a career high 38 saves in 68 games. He started the 2014 season on the DL after being hit in the head by a pitch during Spring training. He finished the season with a 2.00 ERA and 36 saves in 54 games.

On February 13, 2015, Chapman signed a new one-year, $8.05 million contract with the Reds. He finished the 2015 season with 33 saves, 116 strikeouts to 33 walks, and a 1.63 ERA in 66.1 innings in 65 games.

Chapman was traded to the New York Yankees on December 28, 2015. He signed a one-year, $11.325 million contract with the team on February 12, 2016.

The Yankees traded Chapman to the Chicago Cubs on July 25, 2016. He finished the season with a 1.55 ERA, 4 wins to 1 loss, 36 saves, and 90 strikeouts to 18 walks in 31 games with the Yankees and 28 games with the Cubs. In the postseason, he pitched 15.2 innings in 13 games and he gave up 11 hits and 6 runs.

Chapman returned to the Yankees on a five-year, $86 million contract on December 15, 2016. He finished the 2017 season with 4 wins and 3 losses, 22 savves, 69 strikeouts to 20 walks, and a 3.22 ERA in 50.1 innings in 52 games. In the postseason, he pitched 8.0 innings in 6 games and he gave up 7 hits and 1 run. He struck out 16 batters while walking just 2. He had 1 loss and 3 saves.

Chapman spent time on the DL in 2018 with left knee tendinitis. He pitched in 55 games and he had 3 wins and no losses, 32 saves, 93 strikeouts to 30 walks, and a 2.45 ERA in 51.1 innings. In the postseason, he pitched 3.0 innings in 3 games and he gave up 1 hit and no runs. He struck out 4 batters and walked 1.

Chapman finished the 2019 season with 3 wins and 2 losses, 37 saves, 85 strikeouts to 25 walks, and a 2.21 ERA in 57.0 innings in 60 games. In the postseason, he pitched 5.1 innings in 5 games and he gave up 2 hits, 1 home run, and 2 runs. He struck out 9 batters and walked 4, and he had 2 saves and a 3.38 ERA.

Chapman pitched in eight games in 2020. He finished the season with 1 win and 1 loss, 22 strikeouts to 4 walks, 3 saves, and a 3.09 ERA in 11.2 innings. In the postseason he pitched 4.2 innings in 3 games, and he gave up 2 hits and 1 run.

Chapman spent time on the IL in 2021 with left elbow inflammation. He finished the season with 6 wins and 4 losses, 30 saves, 97 strikeouts to 38 walks, and a 3.36 ERA in 56.1 innings in 61 games. He didn't pitch in the postseason.

Chapman became a free agent on November 6, 2022. He signed with the Royals on January 27, 2023.

Career pitching statistics for Chapman through 2021 include:

• 624 games played
• 603.2 innings pitched
• 40-31 win-loss record
• 306 saves
• 1,002 strikeouts to 290 walks
• 2.36 ERA

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Aroldis Chapman
ESPN - Aroldis Chapman