Aroldis Chapman is a name that strikes fear into the hearts of opposing batters. As a relief pitcher for the New York Yankees, Chapman is known for his blazing fastball, devastating slider, and ability to strike out even the best hitters in the game.
However, there has been some debate over the years about whether Chapman could be even more valuable to his team as a starting pitcher.
After all, he has made a handful of appearances as a starter throughout his career, and his success in that role during his early days in Cuba is well-documented.
So, why isn’t Aroldis Chapman a starter? In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind Chapman’s role as a relief pitcher and argue that, despite some potential advantages to starting, his value to the team is maximized in his current role.
The Case for Chapman as a Starting Pitcher
Aroldis Chapman began his professional career as a starting pitcher in Cuba, where he played for the Holguín Sabuesos of the Cuban National Series.
In his last season in Cuba in 2009, Chapman posted an 11-4 record with a 4.03 ERA and 130 strikeouts in just 118 innings. His success as a starter in Cuba prompted the Cincinnati Reds to sign him as a starting pitcher in 2010.
During his time with the Reds, Chapman made 13 starts in 2012, posting a 5-5 record with a 3.60 ERA and 122 strikeouts in 71.2 innings pitched. In 2013, he made 6 starts before being moved back to the bullpen, where he ultimately found his groove as a closer.
Despite his success as a relief pitcher, there are potential advantages to having a dominant left-handed pitcher in the starting rotation.
Left-handed starters are particularly valuable in matchups against left-handed batters, who tend to struggle against them.
Additionally, starting pitchers are able to pitch more innings per game, which can be advantageous in terms of rest and workload for the rest of the pitching staff.
However, despite these advantages, it seems that Chapman’s value as a relief pitcher outweighs his value as a starting pitcher.
This is due to a combination of factors, including his elite fastball velocity and strikeout ability, as well as his specific role in the team’s strategy and needs. In the next section, we’ll explore why Chapman is more valuable as a relief pitcher.
The Case for Chapman as a Relief Pitcher
While Aroldis Chapman has made some appearances as a starting pitcher, his success and dominance as a relief pitcher have made him one of the best closers in the game.
Chapman’s success as a closer is highlighted by his multiple All-Star appearances and impressive stats. In his career, Chapman has 327 saves with a 2.20 ERA, 846 strikeouts in 483 innings pitched, and a 1.00 WHIP.
One of the key advantages of having a dominant closer like Chapman is their ability to perform in high-pressure situations, particularly in the playoffs. A reliable closer can be the difference between a win and a loss in a close game, and Chapman has proven time and again that he can deliver in those moments.
In the 2016 World Series, for example, Chapman was instrumental in helping the Chicago Cubs win their first championship in over a century, earning a save in Game 7.
Another advantage of having Chapman as a relief pitcher is the importance of his elite fastball velocity and strikeout ability in relief situations.
Chapman is known for his ability to consistently throw over 100 mph, which makes it incredibly difficult for opposing batters to hit him. His strikeout ability is also impressive, with an average of 15.7 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched in his career.
As a closer, he is often called upon to get the final outs of a game with runners on base, and his ability to strike out batters in those situations can be invaluable.
Overall, while Chapman may have the potential to be a successful starting pitcher, his value as a relief pitcher is simply too great to justify making the switch.
His success as a closer, ability to perform in high-pressure situations, and dominant fastball velocity and strikeout ability make him one of the most valuable relief pitchers in the game.
Why Chapman is More Valuable as a Relief Pitcher
When comparing Aroldis Chapman’s statistics as a starting pitcher to his numbers as a relief pitcher, the difference is stark. In his career as a starting pitcher, Chapman has a 3.74 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP, compared to a 2.16 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP as a reliever.
He has also struck out an average of 10.8 batters per 9 innings as a starter, compared to an average of 15.7 batters per 9 innings as a reliever.
However, Chapman’s role as a relief pitcher is not just due to his statistical superiority in that role. Rather, it is often a result of the specific needs and strategies of his teams.
For example, during his time with the Cincinnati Reds, the team had a strong starting rotation and lacked a dominant closer. Chapman’s success in the closer role helped solidify the bullpen and provide a reliable option for the end of games.
Similarly, when Chapman was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 2016, the team was looking for a dominant closer to bolster their bullpen for a playoff run.
Chapman’s presence in the bullpen was a key factor in the team’s success, and his ability to perform in high-pressure situations was particularly valuable in the playoffs.
Finally, with the New York Yankees, Chapman has been a reliable closer for a team that has often struggled with injuries and inconsistency in the starting rotation.
His ability to pitch multiple innings and strike out batters in key situations has been crucial to the team’s success, particularly in the postseason.
Overall, while Chapman may have the potential to be a successful starting pitcher, his value as a relief pitcher is simply too great to justify making the switch.
His specific role in his teams’ strategies and needs, as well as his success as a closer, make him one of the most valuable relief pitchers in the game.
Aroldis Chapman’s Career Stats as a Starter vs. Relief Pitcher
| Statistic | Starter | Relief Pitcher |
|---|---|---|
| Games Started | 166 | 2 |
| Innings Pitched | 881.1 | 405.0 |
| ERA | 3.74 | 2.23 |
| WHIP | 1.28 | 1.01 |
| Strikeouts per 9 innings | 10.8 | 14.7 |
| Saves | 23 | 305 |
| All-Star Appearances | 1 | 7 |
Note: Statistics are accurate as of the end of the 2021 MLB season. Chapman’s relief pitcher stats include his time with the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, and New York Yankees.
FAQs
Has Aroldis Chapman ever expressed a desire to be a starting pitcher again?
While Chapman has not publicly expressed a desire to be a starting pitcher again, some fans and analysts have speculated that he may want to return to that role. However, given his success as a closer and the value he brings to his teams in that role, it seems unlikely that he would push for a move to the starting rotation.
What makes Chapman’s fastball so difficult for batters to hit?
Chapman’s fastball is known for its exceptional velocity, often exceeding 100 miles per hour. Additionally, he has excellent control of the pitch and is able to locate it well in the strike zone. The combination of speed and accuracy makes his fastball incredibly difficult for batters to make solid contact with.
How has Chapman’s off-the-field behavior impacted his career?
Chapman has had several incidents of off-the-field behavior that have caused controversy and brought negative attention to him and his teams. In 2015, he was involved in a domestic violence incident and was suspended for 30 games by MLB. He has also been involved in altercations with other players and fans. While these incidents have certainly been a stain on his career, his on-field performance and value as a pitcher have kept him in demand by teams.
What are some other notable relief pitchers in MLB history?
There have been many notable relief pitchers throughout MLB history, including Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman, Rollie Fingers, Dennis Eckersley, and Goose Gossage. All of these pitchers had long and successful careers as closers, with many All-Star appearances, awards, and records to their names.
Conclusion
Aroldis Chapman’s success as a relief pitcher is undeniable. While he has had some success as a starting pitcher in the past, his dominance in the closer role and the specific needs and strategies of his teams have led to his role as a reliever.
Chapman’s impressive stats and ability to perform in high-pressure situations make him one of the best closers in the game, and his elite fastball velocity and strikeout ability have been particularly valuable in relief situations.
While some may argue that Chapman has the potential to be a successful starting pitcher, the value he brings as a relief pitcher is simply too great to justify making the switch.
Chapman’s success in the closer role has helped solidify bullpens and provide reliable options for the end of games, making him an indispensable asset to his teams.
Ultimately, whether as a starter or a reliever, Chapman’s talent and ability on the mound make him one of the most impressive pitchers in the game today.
