Mason Miller’s 104 mph Pitch Sets Postseason Velocity Record

On Wednesday night, San Diego Padres flamethrower Mason Miller lit up Major League Baseball’s postseason with a fastball that left fans buzzing and the opposition reeling. Facing the Chicago Cubs in Game 2, Miller unleashed a blistering 104.5 mph heater — the fastest pitch ever tracked in MLB postseason play since Statcast started recording in 2008.

The pitch didn’t just break Aroldis Chapman’s old mark. It put Miller’s name front and center as one of baseball’s most intimidating relievers. Padres manager Mike Shildt couldn’t help but rave, saying, “That kind of velocity is something we love.”

Mason Miller’s Historic Strikeout

In the seventh inning, Miller fired the record-breaking fastball past Cubs catcher Carson Kelly. The radar gun flashed 104.5 mph, and Kelly froze for a called third strike.

This edged out Chapman’s legendary 104.2 mph playoff pitch and set a new all-time playoff velocity record.

Dominance in Relief

Over 1 2/3 innings, Miller’s dominance was obvious. He struck out five of seven batters before he exited after plunking Michael Busch.

His mix of overpowering speed and late movement kept Chicago’s hitters guessing — and honestly, looking a bit lost. The night before, he’d struck out the side in his postseason debut. Two games, two showcases of pure strikeout stuff.

A Playoff Start for the Ages

Through his first nine postseason batters faced, Miller’s numbers are wild:

• Five strikeouts swinging
• Three strikeouts looking
• One hit-by-pitch

No walks. No hits allowed. The intimidation factor? Off the charts. It’s no wonder Miller’s already drawing national attention and comparisons to some of the game’s greatest power arms.

Already a Record Holder

Miller doesn’t just save the heat for October. Earlier in 2024, the Bethel Park, Pennsylvania native fired the fastest pitch ever in an MLB All-Star Game — a 103.6 mph laser.

That felt like a sign of things to come. Now, he’s meeting and even blowing past those expectations on the biggest stage.

The Trade That Changed Everything

Mason Miller didn’t start the season with the Padres. San Diego landed him from Oakland in a July trade, looking for that extra push toward the playoffs.

The move’s already paying off. His elite velocity and strikeout ability have turned their bullpen into a real weapon.

Looking Ahead to the Decisive Game 3

With Game 2 in the books, Miller will watch from the dugout as his teammates take on the Cubs in Thursday’s winner-take-all showdown. The stakes? Winner faces the Milwaukee Brewers in the next round.

Will Miller pitch? Maybe, maybe not — it depends how things play out. But just knowing he’s lurking in the bullpen gives the Padres a psychological edge. Chicago’s hitters can’t ignore the possibility of that triple-digit fastball waiting for them late in the game.

Final Thoughts: The Rise of a Power Arm

Baseball history thrives on those moments when a player shatters expectations. Mason Miller’s 104.5 mph rocket wasn’t just another strikeout.

That pitch made a statement. In this era, velocity is everything, and Miller’s got it—plus the control and that rare postseason poise.

The Padres are pushing through their playoff run. Their new flame-thrower already made sure people will remember his name, not just for the heat but for the history.

With Miller on the mound, fans should brace for more jaw-dropping radar readings. Who knows what’s next?

 
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