Aroldis Chapman is the best Cuban pitcher of the decade

December 26, 2019

Aroldis Chapman made his Major League debut exactly at the beginning of this decade, but it wasn't until 2012 that he became the closer for the Cincinnati Reds on a full-time basis. That's when his true dominance began, the same dominance that made him the best Cuban pitcher between 2010 and 2019, the same that helped him surpass the late José Fernández during that period.

The recognition of the "Missile" is not in vain, it doesn't come for free. He has been one of the most consistent and explosive relief pitchers in the Majors during his time in action, thanks in part to the fearsome velocity of his fastball, which on a couple of occasions has reached 105.1 miles per hour, a historical record that he shares with Jordan Hicks.

He is one of four men in the Big Show with at least 250 saves in the mentioned span (273), along with Fernando Rodney (257), Kenley Jansen (301), and Craig Kimbrel (346).

His tenure as a relief pitcher began with four successful seasons with the Reds, starting in 2012.

In all of them he was a member of the National League team for the All-Star Game, Aroldis Chapman saved at least 30 games, struck out a minimum of 100 rivals, and posted an ERA equal to or less than 2.00 in all those campaigns, with one exception.

Off to the Bronx

The New York Yankees, who had not had a closer for the long term since Mariano Rivera retired, acquired the left-hander in December 2015 and had him for half a season until they sent him to the Chicago Cubs.

With the Cubs, he had a brilliant final stretch of the season and was a vital piece in helping that organization win its first World Series since 1908. He was even the one who won the last game of that Fall Classic.

Days later, upon becoming a free agent, Aroldis Chapman signed with the New Yorkers the longest contract ever for a relief pitcher in Major League history, for five years and 86 million dollars.

Since then he has been firmly entrenched in the ninth inning of the team with the most championships in the history of the big show.

Among fellow compatriots, only José Fernández compares with Chapman in the decade. In fact, perhaps these lines you are reading would not be about Aroldis, but about José, if death had not come knocking on his door, robbing us of one of the greatest stars the island has produced.

Fernández, in fact, had a 2013 season (his first Major League campaign) with a 12-6 record and an ERA of 2.19 in 28 starts, winning the Rookie of the Year award, making Santa Clara and all of Cuba proud.

Aroldis Chapman is the second Caribbean player with the most wins in these 10 seasons (33), the one who pitched in the most games (550), the one who saved the most times (273), the one who struck out the most rivals (883), the one who posted the best ERA (2.23), the one who recorded the best FIP (2.01), and the one who had the best strikeout percentage taking into account the number of batters he faced (41.1%).

The island native's dominance was such that his opponents only hit .161 against him, or in other words, he allowed 1.6 hits per 10 at-bats.

And the best of Aroldis Chapman has not ended. Now come records, round figures in saves, and his journey along the road to completing a career worthy of the Hall of Fame of the Big Show. At 31 years old, he has plenty of time.