MLB Velocity Surge: Teams and Pitchers Escalate the Arms Race

The modern game of baseball is changing fast on the mound, and the Boston Red Sox really show how deep that shift runs. This article digs into how the rise in pitching velocity is forcing teams like the Red Sox to hunt for triple-digit arms while trying to keep both pitchers and hitters healthy for the long haul.

The New Velocity Era in Major League Baseball

In just the past decade, baseball has plunged into a full-blown velocity revolution. Year-round training, data-driven development, and even that weird COVID-19 shutdown have all pushed pitchers to throw harder than ever.

How Fastballs Got Faster

The numbers don’t lie. Back in 2015, the average four-seam fastball in MLB was 93.1 mph.

Now, over the last five seasons, that average has jumped to about 94.5 mph. That’s a huge leap in such a short time, especially at this level.

Throwing 95 mph and above isn’t special anymore—it’s just expected. More than three-quarters of big league pitchers now touch 95 mph or better.

The 100 mph fastball, once rare, shows up in highlight reels almost every night. Most teams have several relievers who can break triple digits, and prospects often arrive already firing 99–101 mph.

The Hidden Cost: Health and Longevity Concerns

This arms race isn’t cheap. Pitchers chasing more velocity are pushing their bodies to the limit, and injuries are piling up.

Injuries Rising as Velocity Climbs

Adding a few mph comes with a price. More torque hits elbows and shoulders, recovery gets tougher, and mistakes get riskier.

Here’s what’s happening:

It’s not just pitchers who get hurt. Position players who face those upper-90s fastballs with nasty movement get worn out too.

Reacting to that kind of speed every night is brutal, and it’s shortening careers across the board.

The Aging Hitter is Being Squeezed Out

One thing people don’t talk about enough: the effect on older hitters. Reaction time and bat speed slow down with age, and when 97–100 mph is normal, that’s a tough ask.

Why Fewer Veterans Are Surviving

Veterans, especially 36-and-over players, are disappearing. Relentless velocity, sharper breaking balls, and endless scouting data make it tough for older hitters to keep up.

Front offices now lean toward younger, cheaper bats who can handle the heat, while veterans see their numbers drop as the game speeds up.

Red Sox Respond: Building a High-Velocity Pitching Core

Heading into 2023–24, the Red Sox had a glaring problem: not enough pitchers who could hit 100 mph. Most teams have a few, so that gap really stood out.

Adding Crochet, Chapman, and Developing Power Arms

Boston’s moved quickly to fix that. Two big names jump out:

They’re also growing their own firepower. Take Payton Tolle—his fastball now touches 101 mph. The Red Sox aren’t just catching up; they’re trying to get ahead of the curve.

Rebalancing the Roster: Trades and Long-Term Strategy

Velocity is just one piece of the puzzle. The Red Sox are also reworking their roster with an eye on age, upside, and contract control, hoping to build a core that can hang in today’s demanding game.

The Sonny Gray Trade and Other Key Moves

This offseason, the Red Sox traded veteran starter Sonny Gray to the St. Louis Cardinals. In return, they picked up two young arms: Richard Fitts and Brandon Clarke, both with real upside.

It fits a bigger pattern:

They haven’t forgotten about the lineup, either. The Red Sox have shown interest in big bats like Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso. In a league dominated by velocity, hitters who can handle premium heat are worth their weight in gold.

Winter Leagues and the Next Wave of Red Sox Talent

Major league trade talks and free agent rumors usually grab the spotlight. But the Red Sox are quietly putting a lot of energy into player development through winter ball.

Several guys in the organization are heading to winter leagues. They’ll get a chance to pile up innings, fine-tune their swings, and face the kind of velocity and breaking stuff that’s become the norm at the top level.

Those winter-league reps matter more than ever. Prospects aren’t just hanging on—they’re learning how to really compete in a world where 95 mph heat is just the starting point.

 
Here is the source article for this story: No end in sight to rising velocity numbers in MLB as clubs and pitchers continue to chase numbers in arms race