The Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization, widely considered as the most prestigious baseball league in the world. It has some of the best athletes in the sport, and its pitchers are no exception. These players have worked hard to gain the respect of their peers and fans alike. But who is the hardest pitcher in the MLB? There is no definite answer, but there are certain players who have earned their place among the best in the game.
The Best of the Best
The MLB has seen many great pitchers over the years, but some have set themselves apart from the rest. These standout players are known for their blazing fastballs and pinpoint accuracy. Some of the hardest pitchers in the MLB include:
1. Justin Verlander
Justin Verlander is a veteran pitcher for the Houston Astros. He is one of the most decorated pitchers in the game, having won the American League Cy Young Award in 2011 and the AL MVP Award in 2011. In addition to his impressive awards, Verlander has earned a reputation for being one of the hardest throwers in the game. He has been known to hit triple-digit speeds on the radar gun and has a deadly fastball-curveball combination.
2. Gerrit Cole
Gerrit Cole is another standout pitcher for the Houston Astros. He has had a stellar career, winning the American League Cy Young Award in 2019 and being selected to three All-Star games. Cole is known for his blazing fastball, which has been clocked at over 100 mph. He also has a devastating slider that can be nearly impossible to hit.
3. Max Scherzer
Max Scherzer is a veteran pitcher for the Washington Nationals. He has enjoyed a long and successful career, having won the National League Cy Young Award in 2013, 2016, and 2017. Scherzer is one of the hardest throwers in the game, with a fastball that regularly hits the mid-90s. He also has a devastating slider that can be nearly impossible to hit.
4. Noah Syndergaard
Noah Syndergaard is a young pitcher for the New York Mets. He has made a name for himself as one of the hardest throwers in the game, with a fastball that can reach triple-digit speeds. He also has a powerful curveball and a devastating slider that is nearly impossible to hit.
5. Stephen Strasburg
Stephen Strasburg is a veteran pitcher for the Washington Nationals. He has had a successful career, winning the World Series MVP Award in 2019 and being selected to four All-Star games. Strasburg is known for his blazing fastball, which has been clocked at over 100 mph. He also has a devastating slider that can be nearly impossible to hit.
Comparing the Top Pitchers
Now that we have looked at some of the hardest throwers in the game, let’s take a closer look at how they compare. We will look at their average fastball velocity, strikeouts per nine innings, and ERA to see who is the hardest pitcher in the MLB.
Average Fastball Velocity
- Justin Verlander – 95.2 mph
- Gerrit Cole – 97.8 mph
- Max Scherzer – 95.1 mph
- Noah Syndergaard – 97.2 mph
- Stephen Strasburg – 95.3 mph
Strikeouts Per Nine Innings
- Justin Verlander – 11.4
- Gerrit Cole – 13.8
- Max Scherzer – 11.2
- Noah Syndergaard – 11.3
- Stephen Strasburg – 10.7
Earned Run Average (ERA)
- Justin Verlander – 3.20
- Gerrit Cole – 2.50
- Max Scherzer – 3.03
- Noah Syndergaard – 3.20
- Stephen Strasburg – 3.33
Conclusion
As we can see, each of these pitchers has performed exceptionally well over the course of their careers. They all have blazing fastballs and devastating off-speed pitches, and each of them has earned their place among the best in the game. It is impossible to definitively say who is the hardest pitcher in the MLB, as each of them has their own unique style and strengths. However, it is clear that these five pitchers have earned their place among the best in the game.
References
- Baseball Reference – Strikeouts Per Nine Innings
- Baseball Reference – Average Fastball Velocity
- Baseball Reference – Earned Run Average