Aroldis Chapman: Human or Cyborg?

[55]

Re: Aroldis Chapman: Human or Cyborg?

Anyone know what the record for the fastest pitch ever thrown is?

Steve Dalkowski used to throw somewhere between 105-110 back in the 1960s but he never made it out of the minors due to having terrible control.

[GreenReign86]

Re: Aroldis Chapman: Human or Cyborg?

Love the thread title....and I voted for Cyborg.

Not only does he throw 104 but when paired with that slider that looks unhittable? Just unfair.

I second the sentiment of being happy for Reds fans, not just for having a cyborg on your team but the year the team is having overall.

The only thing more unfair then that would be; someone who threw 98-100 MPH and also had a knuckleball. If that isn't illegal it damn sure should be.

As for the guy who threw 105-110 MPH, who also had control issues? How would you like to be the batter in that situation? No thanks, bad enough facing someone who throws 98 with no idea of where it's going, forget 110. The team would have to compensate me for the life insurrance I'd have to take out before every AB.

[l3ulvl]

Re: Aroldis Chapman: Human or Cyborg?

Steve Dalkowski used to throw somewhere between 105-110 back in the 1960s but he never made it out of the minors due to having terrible control.

Wow I looked up Dalkowski's stats and in 1960 with Stockton he walked 262 and struck out 262 in 170 innings

It's kinda cool that his wikipedia page suggests he may have thrown 115 mph.

[dickey1331]

Re: Aroldis Chapman: Human or Cyborg?

What about Neftali Feliz?

[GreenReign86]

Re: Aroldis Chapman: Human or Cyborg?

I've caught a ball going upwards of 80-85 MPH and it stings your hand for a bit even with a catchers glove. I can't imagen catching a 104 MPH heater that would sting like hell. I'm not sure, but I don't think there is any difference in padding between a big league catchers glove and a HS catchers glove. I'll try and put my self in the catchers shoes here.

"Ok, the better option in this situation would probably be a fastball, but my hand hurts too damn much. Changeup!"

After this kid becomes a full time starter, the team will have to have a bucket of ice water on stand by, for the catcher to relieve him self.

[24]

Re: Aroldis Chapman: Human or Cyborg?

i fail to see the hype around Chapman. Big deal he has a 100+ fastball in a few relief appearances. I doubt that he'll touch more than 97 on the gun when he becomes a full time starter. One thing i have noticed about Chapman is that he clearly has a control problem. While this can be fixed you must look a bit into the future. Reds are making a playoff run therefore the current manager will most likely have his contract extended. This manager is none other than Dusty Baker the man who destroyed 2 All star caliber pitchers career's. Last i have checked Kerry Wood is reliving for the Yankees and Mark Prior is playing Semi pro ball. Chapman unfortunately will fall into the same fate as these former phenoms. A Great Young pitcher with loads of potential that ultimately blows out his arm because he is over worked by by Dusty Baker.

[snepp]

Re: Aroldis Chapman: Human or Cyborg?

i fail to see the hype around Chapman.

Give it time, you'll hop on the Chapman bandwagon eventually.

[WTF]

Re: Aroldis Chapman: Human or Cyborg?

When the guy has a 104-105MPH fastball, which is hitting the strike zone constantly... that's impressive. Couple that with a 89MPH slider... Then yeah, I can see the hype. And to the guys who said he can't hit triple digits as a starter... Perhaps you haven't seen a Bats game, or highlights of one. For Louisville, he was constantly at or near triple digits, not just in the first few innings.

Kid is legit.

[ELDoro]

Re: Aroldis Chapman: Human or Cyborg?

i fail to see the hype around Chapman. Big deal he has a 100+ fastball in a few relief appearances. I doubt that he'll touch more than 97 on the gun when he becomes a full time starter. One thing i have noticed about Chapman is that he clearly has a control problem. While this can be fixed you must look a bit into the future. Reds are making a playoff run therefore the current manager will most likely have his contract extended. This manager is none other than Dusty Baker the man who destroyed 2 All star caliber pitchers career's. Last i have checked Kerry Wood is reliving for the Yankees and Mark Prior is playing Semi pro ball. Chapman unfortunately will fall into the same fate as these former phenoms. A Great Young pitcher with loads of potential that ultimately blows out his arm because he is over worked by by Dusty Baker.

ya big deal the guy is hitting 104mph, lol

[Speedy]

Re: Aroldis Chapman: Human or Cyborg?

Give it time, you'll hop on the Chapman bandwagon eventually.

Don't forget who the manager is, Snepp.

[24]

Re: Aroldis Chapman: Human or Cyborg?

ya big deal the guy is hitting 104mph, lol

There are many Pitchers that hit 100+ on the radar gun. Hell Daniel Cabrera Did it 32 times in 2005 just because you throw fast does not mean your good. Piching is all about location and changing speeds with different pitches i'll give you a prime example, Greg Maddux who never touched 95 on the gun was one of the best pitchers of all time. I don't care if Chapman threw 110 just because you can throw fast does not mean you are good.

[WTF]

Re: Aroldis Chapman: Human or Cyborg?

Have you watched him pitch? Not just the two televised relief performances... but starts? If not, then you have no clue.

To say that he can't hit his spots is ridiculous. Because he "had control problems" in your eyes in what you've seen on sportscenter, you label him overrated? Keep in mind that he has retired all 6 batters that he's faced, 3 of which were strikeouts on nasty sliders. He's not just bringing a fastball to the table. But apparently, you've already got your mind made up on him, and it's doing no good telling you otherwise, coming from a guy who has saw him pitch for the Bats on numerous occasions.

[JBH3]

Re: Aroldis Chapman: Human or Cyborg?

I would think it would be the other way around since I have never heard of a human arm just falling off. Granted I watched Tom Browning's arm break in half might pitch, which was horrific, but it still didn't fall off

Ok Mr. Literal.

[24]

Re: Aroldis Chapman: Human or Cyborg?

Have you watched him pitch? Not just the two televised relief performances... but starts? If not, then you have no clue.

To say that he can't hit his spots is ridiculous. Because he "had control problems" in your eyes in what you've seen on sportscenter, you label him overrated? Keep in mind that he has retired all 6 batters that he's faced, 3 of which were strikeouts on nasty sliders. He's not just bringing a fastball to the table. But apparently, you've already got your mind made up on him, and it's doing no good telling you otherwise, coming from a guy who has saw him pitch for the Bats on numerous occasions.

i have seen a few of his minor league starts but i just don't buy the hype. hes a great young pitcher but until he proves himself on the mound (in the majors at least) i fail to believe all the hype around this guy.

[Blzer]

Re: Aroldis Chapman: Human or Cyborg?

i have seen a few of his minor league starts but i just don't buy the hype. hes a great young pitcher but until he proves himself on the mound (in the majors at least) i fail to believe all the hype around this guy.

Has he developed a deceptive change up yet?

As long as he has the fastball and off-speed with command, and stays healthy all the meanwhile, he should be successful if not top-notch.