The velocity war among Major League Baseball pitchers is intensifying. Towering hurlers, tall enough to play basketball, are unleashing fastballs that strike fear into hitters. Anticipation is growing that the 170 km/h "lightning fastball," not seen since 2010, could return this year.
According to MLB.com on Sunday, second-year flamethrowers Jacob Misiorowski (24, Milwaukee Brewers), Cam Schlittler (25, New York Yankees) and Chase Burns (23, Cincinnati Reds) have been firing fastballs over 100 mph (about 161 km/h) day after day.
Misiorowski took the mound as the starter on Sunday at Daikin Park in Houston against the Houston Astros, where Milwaukee won 2-0. He opened the game by throwing 20 consecutive pitches over 100 mph. He went seven innings, allowing three hits with eight strikeouts and no runs, picking up his sixth win of the season (against two losses) and lowering his ERA to 1.65. After going just 5-3 with a 4.36 ERA last year, he has fully found his command this season.
Standing 201 cm tall, Misiorowski has been smashing velocity records every time he takes the mound this year. His top speed this season is 103.6 mph (about 166.7 km/h). Experts believe he could break MLB's existing top mark of 105.8 mph (about 170.3 km/h), set by then-Cincinnati closer Aroldis Chapman (now of Boston) in 2010.
In his previous outing on May 25, 57 of his 96 total pitches registered over 100 mph. That is the most 100-mph pitches in a single MLB game since the pitch-tracking system was introduced in 2008. Across six May starts, he went 5-0 with a 0.23 ERA — simply untouchable.
"Misiorowski has built really great lower-body strength," Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy said. "I want to tell young pitchers: arm strength is good, but you absolutely have to build up your lower body."
Schlittler, who stands 198 cm, is 7-2 this season with a 1.50 ERA, ranking second in all of MLB in earned run average. A Boston native, the youngster made his mark last postseason by pitching brilliantly against the Yankees' archrival Boston Red Sox. Because he throws his sinker and cutter nearly as fast as his four-seam fastball, it is virtually impossible for hitters to anticipate his pitch type.
"Schlittler doesn't just pitch well — he has the mindset to overpower opponents," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "I think he has been playing well this year because his killer instinct, the desire to rip out the opponent's heart, is balanced with a calm, easygoing side."
Burns, at 190.5 cm, is also stirring excitement at 7-1 with a sub-2.00 ERA (1.96) this season. His put-away pitch is a sharp-breaking slider mixed in with his fastball. He has only grown stronger, going 4-0 with a 1.19 ERA over five starts in May.
"A height of over 190 cm can be an advantage for throwing a fast ball, but it is not a sufficient condition," baseball commentator Kim Sun-woo said. "The key is a strong lower body that can maximize instantaneous speed and explosive power." He added, "Scientific training focused on instantaneous explosiveness rather than muscular endurance is becoming a trend among today's pitchers."
