MLB pitchers' average fastball velocity hits record 152.4 km/h, up for 6th straight year

Major League Baseball pitchers are throwing harder than ever, with the average fastball velocity hitting a record 152.4 km/h (94.7 mph) this season. This marks the sixth consecutive year of increasing velocity, according to an Associated Press report. The upward trend is notable across different pitcher types. Right-handed pitchers are throwing faster, averaging 153.2 km/h this year compared to 152.9 km/h last year. Even more striking is the velocity of right-handed relief pitchers, who average 153.9 km/h as they throw at maximum effort for short innings. Minor League Baseball's Triple-A also reflects this trend, with an average velocity of 150.6 km/h this year, a 1.4 km/h increase since measurements began in 2022. "Even looking at Triple-A games, most left-handed and right-handed relief pitchers throw over 153 km/h," said Chad Tracy, acting manager for the Boston Red Sox. "In the past, pitchers who came in when the score was far apart would throw around 141 km/h, but that's not the case anymore." Veteran infielder Marcus Semien of the New York Mets noted the widespread increase in velocity. "Even pitchers you haven't heard of will throw over 153 km/h now," Semien said. "In the past, if a pitcher threw 157-158 km/h, everyone knew who they were, but now you expect new pitchers to throw that fast." Hogan Harris, an Athletics pitcher who has contributed to the rise in average velocity, explained the phenomenon. "Pitchers understand biomechanics much better now, making it easier to figure out how to throw hard," he said. Currently, six MLB pitchers, including Mason Miller of the San Diego Padres (163 km/h), Edgardo Enríquez of the Los Angeles Dodgers (161.9 km/h), and Jacob Misiorowski of the Milwaukee Brewers (161.7 km/h), are averaging over 160 km/h with their fastballs.

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Even looking at Triple-A games, most left-handed and right-handed relief pitchers throw over 153 km/h. In the past, pitchers who came in when the score was far apart would throw around 141 km/h, but that's not the case anymore.