A long time ago -- well, not so long, maybe eight or nine years -- the Cubs’ Kyle Farnsworth became known for his 100 MPH fastball. That’s about all he had -- his breaking stuff was pretty flat -- and so he wasn’t very successful.
Just How Fast Is 100 MPH?
↵Well, except for that famous takedown of the Reds’ Paul Wilson.
↵Now, a member of the Reds, Cuban refugee Aroldis Chapman, is being reputed to throw up to 102 MPH. Again, the question is raised: is that kind of speed enough to succeed?
↵Our SB Nation Reds blog Red Reporter examines this question, with a chart showing how batters did against pitchers throwing at various speeds from 96 up. Turns out there’s some value in hitting the triple digits, although maybe not enough to get by on speed alone.
↵I still wouldn’t want to face Kyle Farnsworth’s fist, though.
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