These days, high velocity is something that is valued by almost all teams in Major League Baseball, especially when it comes to pitchers in their bullpens.
It has become more commonplace for pitchers to throw 100 mph or more.
However, it’s rare that a pitcher can touch up to 104 mph or more.
On Wednesday, Minnesota Twins pitcher Johan Duran was able to do just that.
But to make matters even more impressive, the right-hander managed to do it four times in just one game.
He also joined an elite list of pitchers who have thrown such pitches since the pitch-tracking era began in 2008.
pitchers to throw 104.0+ mph pitches, pitch-tracking era (2008):
Aroldis Chapman: 66
Jordan Hicks: 13
Jhoan Duran: 9 ** 4 in today’s game
Ryan Helsley: 2
Mauricio Cabrera: 1
Tayron Guerrero: 1
Camilo Doval: 1
Neftali Feliz: 1 pic.twitter.com/950oy5UG9l— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) July 20, 2023
On that list are pitchers such as Aroldis Chapman, Jordan Hicks, Ryan Helsley, Mauricio Cabrera, Tayron Guerrero, Camilo Doval, and Neftali Feliz.
Chapman and Hicks have uncorked the most pitches of such high velocity, with Chapman having done it 66 times, while Hicks has done so 13 times.
Duran himself has thrown nine such pitches, four of which came in Wednesday’s game against the Seattle Mariners.
The Twins won the game 6-3, but the veteran reliever stole the show as he flexed his powerful arm and high velocity four times in Wednesday’s tilt.
High velocity isn’t something that every pitcher is capable of, but those who are capable are having much success in today’s day and age.
High velocity and strikeouts are becoming the most important parts of pitching staffs in this new era of Major League Baseball, and Duran was able to pick up his 16th save thanks to some high-octane fastballs.
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