We all love watching pitchers who can throw heat. Fans love them; batters hate them.
A decent fastball can dominate a game. You’ll know it when you see it. It keeps batters off balance and fans on the edge of their seats. So far in 2024, several pitchers have stood out for throwing high heat. These are the top 5 pitchers whose average fastball speed is topping out the radar.
Justin Martinez, a pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, tops our list with an average fastball speed of 100.0 mph. Yes, that’s not a typo, and that is just the average speed.
Martinez has been an absolute powerhouse, playing a role in the Diamondbacks' bullpen. His ability to deliver high-velocity pitches has resulted in a solid 2.05 ERA and an impressive 57 Ks over 48.1 innings pitched.
While we love Martinez, it’s really because his impact goes beyond just his fastball. His control and composure on the mound have helped him become a frequent reliever for the DBacks. The combination of speed and accuracy makes Martinez a pitcher who can change the course of a game with his arm.
Emmanuel Clase, the closer for the Cleveland Guardians, also averages a fastball speed of 100.0 mph. Teams love bringing out the cannons to close out the games and Cleveland is no exception.
Clase has shown that he is one of the top closers in the league. He boasts an eye-popping 0.70 ERA with 33 saves over 51.1 innings pitched. Between his high heat fastball and his cutter topping out at around 99.4 mph, it’s no wonder he’s one of the best arms in the American League.
Clase's 4-seam fastball is his signature pitch. It allows him to overpower hitters and close out games effectively and quickly when needed most. His ability to maintain such high velocity while pitching in critical moments highlights his talent and importance to the Guardians' success.
Ryan Helsley, a closer in the St. Louis Cardinals bullpen, boasts an average fastball speed of 99.4 mph.
Rocking a nice 2.64 ERA with 54 strikeouts over 48 innings, Helsley is one of the most dominant relief pitchers in the National League and a good part of that is due to the gas he throws.
Helsley is somewhat of an interesting diversion from the norm. He’s 30 years old and has 6 years in the MLB. Most of the time you start seeing the velocity taper off at this age and pitchers tend to start looking for other pitches in their arsenal. Not Helsley. He’s still throwing strong and showing that he can keep up with the younger players.
The Los Angeles Angels José Soriano averages a fastball speed of 98.9 mph. Soriano has proven that he can compete, but he’s still a young pitcher with room to grow. He has a 3.47 ERA and a WHIP of 1.21. For a starter that can top out over 100 mph, you’d expect him to keep the bases cleared, but he still has some work to do with control.
Soriano's development as a reliable arm for the Angels makes him a starter to keep an eye on. His fastball speed and improving skills make him a pitcher you’ll want to watch as he fully matures on the mound.
Paul Skenes, the young phenom on the Pittsburgh Pirates, also averages a fastball speed of 98.9 mph. While his pitch speed is something of lore, his short stint in the big leagues thus far shows that he’s more than capable of competing at the ultimate level.
In his short tenure with the club, he’s already boasting a 1.99 ERA with 107 strikeouts in 86 innings. That’s impressive. This kid is going to grace the mound for years to come and only get better with time. We’re witnessing history in the making with Paul Skenes.
Justin Martinez, Emmanuel Clase, Ryan Helsley, José Soriano, and Paul Skenes are some of the fastest pitchers in big leagues. On top of throwing fireballs, each of these pitchers brings a unique set of skills to their teams, contributing to their success when they’re on the mound.
Whether they are established stars or rising prospects, their ability to throw blazing fastballs nonetheless makes them exciting players to watch and valuable assets to their teams. As the season progresses, keep an eye on these pitchers as they continue to make their mark with their incredible speed and talent.