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Flame throwers: The 25 hardest-throwing MLB pitchers
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Flame throwers: The 25 hardest-throwing MLB pitchers

Pitchers have never thrown harder than they do in modern MLB, with velocity considered one of the most valuable currencies. These are the hardest-throwing pitchers in MLB during the first half of the 2024 season, based on average four-seam fastball velocity from Statcast.

 
1 of 25

1. Ben Joyce, RP, Angels

Ben Joyce, RP, Angels
Jayne Kamin-Oncea / USA Today Sports Images

Known for his unbelievable velocity while in college at Tennessee, Joyce is showing flashes of a potential closer this season with a fastball that's averaged 101.5 mph. If he can throw strikes, Joyce has a chance to pitch at the end of games for the Angels soon.

 
2 of 25

2. Mason Miller, RP, Athletics

Mason Miller, RP, Athletics
Kelley L. Cox / USA Today Sports Images

Miller broke in as a starter with Oakland last season but has made a name for himself as the team's closer in 2024. Averaging 100.8 mph with his four-seamer, Miller started the year with a 2.39 ERA and a whopping 15.8 K/9 in 37.2 innings.

 
3 of 25

3. Jhoan Duran, RP, Twins

Jhoan Duran, RP, Twins
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Duran continues to dominate as Minnesota's closer, though his strikeout rate is down this season after beginning the season on the shelf with an oblique injury. He's averaged 100.3 mph on his fastball over his first 28 appearances.

 
4 of 25

4. Abner Uribe, RP, Brewers

Abner Uribe, RP, Brewers
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Uribe began the season as part of Milwaukee's closer committee, but poor control pushed him to the minors in early May. He has huge potential if he can harness a fastball that averages 100.1 mph.

 
5 of 25

5. Justin Martinez, RP, Diamondbacks

Justin Martinez, RP, Diamondbacks
Joe Camporeale / USA Today Sports Images

Martinez is beginning to show better control and results this season, giving him the potential to pitch at the end of games soon. His four-seamer has averaged 99.9 mph this season.

 
6 of 25

6. Emmanuel Clase, RP, Guardians

Emmanuel Clase, RP, Guardians
Ken Blaze / USA Today Sports Images

Due to his electric sinking fastball, Clase has been an All-Star in the last two seasons and could be a Cy Young candidate this year. He began the season with a 0.67 ERA and 25 saves in 41 appearances, and his fastball has averaged 99.8 mph.

 
7 of 25

7. Ryan Helsley, RP, Cardinals

Ryan Helsley, RP, Cardinals
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Helsley has led MLB in saves in the first half of this year, putting together arguably his best year with dominant stuff. The Cardinals closer's fastball has averaged 99.4 mph.

 
8 of 25

8. Paul Skenes, SP, Pirates

Paul Skenes, SP, Pirates
Jordan Godfree / USA Today Sports Images

After being selected first overall in last year's draft, Skenes has taken MLB by storm with a 2.06 ERA through his first nine starts. He's also shown the most fastball velo of any starting pitcher, averaging 99.2 mph.

 
9 of 25

9. Jose Soriano, SP, Angels

Jose Soriano, SP, Angels
Matt Kartozian / USA Today Sports Images

Soriano has been one of the few bright spots for the Angels this season, with his seamless transition from the bullpen to the rotation. The flamethrower's four-seam fastball has averaged 98.9 mph, and he's posted a 3.77 ERA in 76.1 innings.

 
10 of 25

10. Trevor Megill, RP, Brewers

Trevor Megill, RP, Brewers
Bob DeChiara / USA Today Sports Images

Megill has filled in well as Milwaukee's closer while Devin Williams recovers from a back injury. The Brewer posted a 1.59 ERA and 18 saves in his first 30 appearances, averaging 98.8 mph on his fastball.

 
11 of 25

11. Michael Kopech, RP, White Sox

Michael Kopech, RP, White Sox
Ken Blaze / USA Today Sports Images

Kopech moved from starter to the bullpen during Spring Training, and the move has helped his velocity. The former top prospect has struggled with his control, but he's also fanned 50 batters in 36 innings and averaged 98.7 mph on his fastball.

 
12 of 25

12. Robert Suarez, RP, Padres

Robert Suarez, RP, Padres
Orlando Ramirez / USA Today Sports Images

Suarez throws mostly fastballs, but the quality of the pitch still makes him nearly unhittable. His fastballs average 98.7 mph, and he's posted a 1.09 ERA and 20 saves through 33 appearances.

 
13 of 25

13. Joe Kelly, RP, Dodgers

Joe Kelly, RP, Dodgers
Joe Kelly / USA Today Sports Images

Kelly has made only 16 appearances this season due to injury, though he hasn't shown any sign of fastball deterioration at age 36. He averaged 98.6 mph on the pitch while healthy.

 
14 of 25

14. Andres Munoz, RP, Mariners

Andres Munoz, RP, Mariners
Stephen Brashear / USA Today Sports Images

Munoz stepped up as Seattle's closer down the stretch last year and continues to dominate. He posted a 1.64 ERA and 13 saves in 33 appearances, with his four seamer averaging 98.4 mph.

 
15 of 25

15. Lucas Erceg, RP, Athletics

Lucas Erceg, RP, Athletics
Kelley L. Cox / USA Today Sports Images

Mason Miller has received most of the attention as the A's closer, but Erceg can also bring it as their setup man. His fastball has averaged 98.4 mph, and he's been strong with a 3.30 ERA in 30 appearances.

 
16 of 25

16. Ryne Stanek, RP, Mariners

Ryne Stanek, RP, Mariners
Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today Sports Images

After signing in spring training, Stanek has been a setup man and part-time closer for Seattle. His fastball has averaged 98.3 mph, and he's posted a 3.78 ERA in 38 appearances.

 
17 of 25

17. Carlos Hernandez, RP, Royals

Carlos Hernandez, RP, Royals
Jesse Johnson / USA Today Sports Images

Hernandez has struggled with injuries this season but has shown plenty of oomph on his fastball while healthy. He's averaged 98.3 mph through 11 appearances.

 
18 of 25

18. Gregory Soto, RP, Phillies

Gregory Soto, RP, Phillies
Eric Hartline / USA Today Sports Images

A former closer in Detroit, Soto continues to be effective in Philly as a left-handed setup man. His fastball has averaged 98 mph, and he's posted a 3.62 ERA through 33 appearances.

 
19 of 25

19. Hunter Harvey, RP, Nationals

Hunter Harvey, RP, Nationals
Rafael Suanes / USA Today Sports Images

Harvey has fared well as Washington's primary setup man for Kyle Finnegan, and his velocity has been strong. He's averaged 97.9 mph and posted a 4.35 ERA over his first 41.1 innings.

 
20 of 25

20. Randy Rodriguez, RP, Giants

Randy Rodriguez, RP, Giants
Robert Edwards / USA Today Sports Images

Rodriguez has established himself well in his rookie season as a key part of the Giants bullpen. The right-hander's fastball has averaged 97.9 mph, and he's posted a 4.32 ERA through 21 appearances.

 
21 of 25

21. Kyle Nicolas, RP, Pirates

Kyle Nicolas, RP, Pirates
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Nicolas is one more hard thrower to reckon with in Pittsburgh's hard-throwing bullpen. He's averaged 97.9 mph with a 4.32 ERA through 22 appearances.

 
22 of 25

22. Orion Kerkering, RP, Phillies

Orion Kerkering, RP, Phillies
Rick Osentoski / USA Today Sports Images

Kerkering was a key part of Philly's bullpen in last year's playoffs, and he's continued to befuddle hitters this season. He's averaged 97.8 mph on his fastball and posted a 1.47 ERA in his first 29 appearances.

 
23 of 25

23. Hunter Greene, SP, Reds

Hunter Greene, SP, Reds
Sam Greene / USA Today Sports Images

Greene has shown improvement in his third MLB season while showing off elite velocity. His four-seam fastball has averaged 97.7 mph, and he's started the year with a 3.70 ERA through his first 17 starts spanning 97.1 innings.

 
24 of 25

24. Victor Vodnik, RP, Rockies

Victor Vodnik, RP, Rockies
Andrew Wevers / USA Today Sports Images

Colorado has seen some promising arms this season despite their struggles. Vodnik shows potential to pitch in high-leverage situations with a fastball that's averaged 97.7 mph and a 4.09 ERA over his first 36 appearances.

 
25 of 25

25. Jorge Alcala, RP, Twins

Jorge Alcala, RP, Twins
Matt Blewett / USA Today Sports Images

Rebounding from injury this season, Alcala has been terrific for the Twins bullpen. He has a 1.80 ERA in 25 appearances, with a fastball averaging 97.7 mph.

Seth Trachtman

Seth Trachtman is a sportswriter, digital marketer, and fantasy sports expert based in St. Louis, Missouri. He’s a two-time winner of the Tout Wars Fantasy Baseball Expert’s League, and his work has appeared in hundreds of fantasy baseball and fantasy football newsstand and online publications

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