My main criticism of Aroldis Chapman’s pitching is two-fold. Firstly, I think velocity can be largely overrated. As the league’s average fastball velocity continues to climb, the traditional formula of runs allowed being shaved off for every mph gained has diminishing returns. What that also means is that if you lose mph as you age, unless you alter your strategy (like with what we have seen with CC Sabathia), you see a precipitous drop in performance. Chapman has reached that velocity peak already, and while he still sits at 99-101, a lack of rest, like during Friday night’s game, means that 97-99 makes a huge difference.
Aroldis Chapman has a new pitch, and the Yankees need to make him use it
