MLB Pitchers Hit 100 MPH at Record Rates in 2025

When Bubba Chandler was a high school sophomore, he made a bold declaration to his coaches: "It's 100 or die." At the time, his fastball topped out at just 91 mph, making the triple-digit goal seem almost impossible.

Fast forward to today, and Chandler is a Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher who regularly hits 100 mph. He's far from alone.

Last season, 82 MLB pitchers reached the century mark on the radar gun, shattering previous records. This year, 35 pitchers hit 100 mph before spring even warmed up. Compare that to 2013-2016, when only 87 pitchers total managed the feat across four full seasons.

The transformation didn't happen by accident. Over the past five years, specialized pitching labs equipped with cutting-edge technology have popped up nationwide. These facilities help pitchers unlock velocity that was hiding in their arms all along, turning what once seemed mythic into achievable.

"I feel like 100 is the new 95," said Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Will Klein. "It used to be, 'You throw 95, that's gas.' Now, it's 100."

The numbers back up the trend. The average MLB fastball now approaches 95 mph, a full 6 mph harder than 25 years ago. Pitchers of all sizes are reaching triple digits: 6-foot-8 Marlins pitcher Eury Perez does it, and so does 5-foot-11 Cubs closer Daniel Palencia.

Why This Inspires

What makes this story remarkable isn't just the speed itself. It's proof that human potential often exceeds what we think is possible. For decades, 100 mph seemed reserved only for arms "kissed by fortune," as the article describes legendary pitchers like Nolan Ryan and Bob Feller.

But the velocity revolution reveals something hopeful: with the right training, technology, and determination, barriers once considered fixed can crumble. Young athletes like Chandler set audacious goals and achieve them through specialized development that simply didn't exist a generation ago.

"Throwing a baseball 100 miles an hour—I don't think fans understand how hard that is to do," said Detroit ace Tarik Skubal, a two-time Cy Young Award winner. "It looks easy on TV when big leaguers are doing it."

Even hitters acknowledge the challenge. When at-bats end on 100-plus mph fastballs, batters are hitting just .165 this season. The extra 2 mph from 98 to 100 might seem small, but it makes all the difference.

Twenty-six years ago, a high schooler named Colt Griffin became the first prep pitcher ever to hit 100 mph. Now, the achievement is common enough that teenagers regularly reach it, and managers like the Dodgers' Dave Roberts can say, "It seems like everyone throws 100."

What once seemed superhuman is becoming the new standard, proving that human limits are often just waiting to be broken.