Top 25 MLB Fastballs of All-Time (Ranked 25 to 1)

Tom Seaver

"Tom Terrific" relied on a powerful, sinking fastball that he called the "ultimate pitch." His mastery of the pitch allowed him to generate incredible movement, often baffling hitters and earning him the nickname "The Franchise" in New York.

Mark Langston

A dominant strikeout artist of the 1980s and '90s, Langston's mid-90s fastball, paired with a sharp curveball, was his primary weapon. He led the AL in strikeouts multiple times, thanks in large part to his ability to challenge hitters up in the zone.

Amos Rusie

Known as "The Hoosier Thunderbolt," Rusie was the premier power pitcher of the 1890s, with his legendary fastball prompting the creation of the pitching rubber to establish a set distance. His velocity was so intimidating it was estimated to be in the high 90s.

Hunter Greene

One of the hardest-throwing starters in modern history, Greene's four-seam fastball consistently touches and exceeds 100 mph. Its incredible velocity and high spin rate create a "rising" effect that is nearly unmatched, leading to high strikeout rates.

Jordan Hicks

Hicks is famous for throwing the hardest sinker in baseball history, frequently hitting 104 mph. The tremendous speed combined with dramatic arm-side run makes his two-seam fastball one of the most physically dominant pitches of the Statcast era.

Trevor Hoffman

While known for his changeup, Hoffman's mid-90s fastball gained deceptive life from his whippy arm action and excellent command. His ability to locate the pitch effectively set up the devastating fading action of his signature secondary pitch.

Jeff Montgomery

The longtime Royals closer relied on a lively, well-located mid-to-upper 90s fastball to rack up 300+ career saves. His workhorse mentality and ability to maintain velocity late in games made his heater a weapon when games were on the line.

Dwight Gooden

"Dr. K" showcased one of the most electric fastballs of the 1980s, consistently clocking 98-100 mph with dazzling movement. At his peak, the combination of his blazing velocity and his famous curveball was arguably the most unhittable arsenal in baseball.

Billy Wagner

The diminutive left-hander had a massive, explosive fastball that regularly reached 100+ mph. Its unique combination of elite velocity and release point deception made him one of the most dominant high-leverage relievers the game has ever seen.

Satchel Paige

The legendary Negro Leagues star's fastball was one of baseball's greatest myths and realities. Eyewitness accounts and measurements suggest velocity well over 100 mph, with his ability to throw it precisely over a matchbook demonstrating peerless command.

Kerry Wood

In his 20-strikeout rookie game, Wood's fastball was a blur, reaching the high 90s with a devastating late jump. The pitch was so explosive and pure that it became the foundation for one of the most dominant single-game performances in MLB history.

Jhoan Duran

Duran possesses a rare "splinker," a 100+ mph splitter/fastball hybrid that drops off the table. This is complemented by a four-seam fastball touching 103 mph, giving him an unparalleled pair of power pitches with distinct, elite movement profiles.

Josh Hader

Hader’s deceptive, high-spin fastball is known for its extreme "ride," creating an illusion of rising out of the zone. Thrown from a low release point, this velocity/vertical movement combination makes his four-seam heater nearly impossible to lift.

Pedro Martínez

Though not purely an elite-velocity guy, Pedro's mid-90s fastball played up because of his electric command and elite deception. Its late life and the way he controlled both sides of the plate made it a devastating complement to his legendary changeup.

Stephen Strasburg

Upon his debut, Strasburg's 100+ mph fastball carried immense hype and lived up to it, featuring exceptional spin and command. His ability to maintain this triple-digit velocity deep into starts made him an immediate sensation and one of the game's most dynamic arms.

Goose Gossage

As an intimidating relief ace, Gossage's 100 mph-plus "heater" was thrown with pure aggression and a menacing glare. The overwhelming velocity made him one of the most feared closers of his era, often relying on the pitch to overpower hitters.

Roger Clemens

"The Rocket" relied on a commanding, powerful mid-to-upper 90s fastball with movement. He masterfully pitched to the edges of the strike zone, using his fastball's excellent late life and velocity to blow pitches past or jam elite hitters for over two decades.

Bob Gibson

Gibson possessed one of the most intimidating fastballs ever, delivered with aggression and purpose that backed hitters off the plate. The pitch, consistently in the mid-to-high 90s, became legendary for its velocity, inner-half command, and psychological impact.

Justin Verlander

Known for his sustained high velocity and longevity, Verlander’s four-seam fastball remained a 97-100 mph weapon even into his late 30s and early 40s. Its pure, straight heat and elite spin rate allowed him to pitch to all four quadrants of the zone.

Sandy Koufax

Koufax's blistering fastball was a key part of his legendary run of dominance in the 1960s. Its pure speed and the way it exploded out of his hand made it the perfect setup pitch for the most famous, disappearing curveball in baseball history.

Randy Johnson

"The Big Unit" used his 6'10" frame to create an unprecedented downward angle and velocity, making his fastball appear to drop out of the sky. The 100+ mph heater was practically unhittable, often leading to a career strikeout total second only to Nolan Ryan.

Bob Feller

"Rapid Robert" was the gold standard for fastball velocity in the pre-radar gun era. His legendary speed was measured using early technology, with estimates putting his best pitches at over 100 mph, instantly cementing his reputation as a true fireballer.

Walter Johnson

"The Big Train" was celebrated for a fastball with almost unimaginable speed for his era. Eyewitness accounts and scientific studies from the time estimated his pitch in the 100 mph range, giving him an unparalleled power advantage for two decades.

Aroldis Chapman

Chapman redefined modern velocity by owning the fastest recorded pitch in MLB history at 105.1 mph. His terrifying, pure-heat four-seam fastball consistently resides in triple-digits, making him the physical benchmark for velocity in the 21st century.

Nolan Ryan

"The Ryan Express" is synonymous with the powerful fastball, maintaining his legendary velocity for an unprecedented 27-year career. His pitch was measured at over 100 mph with various technologies, earning him the all-time strikeout record and the unofficial title of history's hardest thrower. Export to Sheets