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MLB 2017: Top 10 relievers

By Joshua Sadlock

Jul 9, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Zach Britton (53) reacts after the game ending throw by second baseman Jonathan Schoop (not pictured) in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeated Los Angeles Angels 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 9, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Zach Britton (53) reacts after the game ending throw by second baseman Jonathan Schoop (not pictured) in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeated Los Angeles Angels 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman throws a pitch against the Cleveland Indians in the 8th inning in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman throws a pitch against the Cleveland Indians in the 8th inning in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Aroldis Chapman, New York Yankees

There’s a good reason MLB’s Statcast leaderboard has a filter for Aroldis Chapman. Only one pitcher, Mauricio Cabrera, appears on the front page of the fastest-pitch leaderboard for 2016. Chapman topped out at 105.1 mph last year and averaged 100.9 mph on almost 800 fastballs.

After doing his seven years of service, Chapman was a free agent for the first time this offseason, and blew away the previous record for most money guaranteed to a relief pitcher. For $86 million over the next five years, Chapman is going back to the Bronx. There’s no arguing with what the hardest thrower in baseball history has done to date in his career.

Chapman has thrown 377 innings in the big leagues and has recorded 636 strikeouts and a 2.08 ERA. He is the game’s all-time leader in K/9. In 2016, Chapman was able to limit his walks to a career-low 2.8 per nine.

Until his fastball velocity begins to go, Chapman will continue to pile up the strikeouts. He did give a glimpse in to the future in the postseason. As he tired, batters were not impressed. Chapman had a 3.44 ERA in the postseason, and nearly blew Game 7 in the eighth inning.

After signing with the Yankees, he was critical of his heavy workload in the postseason. After nearly 400 regular-season innings, Chapman’s fastball velocity is only continuing to go higher, but his crash may be sudden and unpredictable. By the end of his five-year deal, the Yankees may wish they had passed on Chapman.

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