Aroldis Chapman’s 2025 Surge Puts Reliever in Rare Cy Young Hunt
When Aroldis Chapman, the 37‑year‑old left‑handed closer of the Boston Red Sox, rattled off a 103.4 mph fastball on April 26, 2025, nobody could have guessed his season would rewrite the playbook for relievers.
Fast‑forward to late September, and Chapman’s 1.26 ERA tops every MLB pitcher, his 0.68 WHIP sits among the best reliever seasons of the Statcast era, and a historic 17‑appearance hitless stretch has the baseball world buzzing. That’s why the Cy Young Award conversation now includes a name usually reserved for workhorse starters.
Record‑breaking 2025 campaign
Chapman inked a one‑year, $10.75 million deal with Boston on December 10, 2024, after a season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The contract looked like a typical veteran‑year buy‑in, but the left‑hander turned the agreement into a headline‑making performance.
- 30 saves with only 2 blown opportunities.
- 1.26 ERA – lowest among all MLB relievers.
- 1.70 FIP, the best of his career since 2016.
- 2.5 fWAR, ranking second behind only Cade Smith among relievers.
- 0.68 WHIP – 10th‑best qualified reliever season since 2010.
The numbers don’t just look good on paper; they translate into wins. Boston’s bullpen, once a question mark, has become a reliable engine that helped keep the Red Sox in the AL East chase and on the Wild Card brink.
Historic streaks and milestones
Between July 27 and September 10, Chapman went 17 straight appearances (14⅔ innings) without surrendering a single hit. He struck out 21 batters, walked four, and allowed zero runs. That feat trails only Randy Choate’s 20‑appearance hitless run in 2011 and Tim Byrdak’s 18 in 2018 – making Chapman’s streak the third‑longest in the modern era.
It ended when Shea Langeliers, the catcher for the Oakland Athletics ripped a hit off Chapman on September 10 in Sacramento, later scoring the walk‑off run that handed Boston a 5‑4 loss.
Just a week earlier, the last earned run Chapman allowed had come on July 23, when J.T. Realmuto, the catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies launched a solo homer in the eighth inning at Citizens Bank Park.
Adding to his résumé, Chapman shattered the Red Sox’s franchise record for fastest pitch twice – a 102.3 mph fastball on April 19, then a jaw‑dropping 103.4 mph on April 26. That made Boston the sixth franchise where he’s set the speed benchmark, after stints in Cincinnati, New York, Chicago, Kansas City, Texas and Pittsburgh.
How Chapman reshaped the Red Sox’s fortunes
Red Sox manager Alex Cora, manager of the Boston Red Sox, named Chapman the closer after a spring‑training battle with Liam Hendriks and Justin Slaten. Chapman seized the role immediately, earning the win in his Red Sox debut on Opening Day.
His reliability gave Cora the freedom to lean on younger arms early in the season, knowing the last three outs were in Chapman’s hands. “The chemistry that we have here is unique,” Chapman said after signing a $13.3 million extension on August 31, 2025, with a vesting option for 2027. The contract signals Boston’s belief that his elite stuff isn’t a one‑year flash.
That stability translated into tangible outcomes: Boston hovered within two games of the AL East lead for most of August and clinched a Wild Card spot with a 92‑70 record, largely thanks to Chapman’s ability to lock down tight games.
Cy Young chatter and Hall‑of‑Fame buzz
Relievers winning the Cy Young is a rarity – the award has been dominated by starters who log 200+ innings. The last reliever to win it was Éric Gagne in 2003 (American League). Analysts at Baseball‑Reference and FanGraphs are now debating whether Chapman’s 2025 line‑up merits a break from tradition.
“He’s pitched a season that a starter might envy,” said former MLB pitcher‑turned‑analyst Joe Shea. “If the voters value dominance over volume, Chapman could pull the trigger.”
Beyond the award, Hall‑of‑Fame talk has resurfaced. The Baseball Hall of Fame’s Modern Era Committee previously overlooked relievers like John Matsumoto, but recent inductions of Trevor Hoffman and Craig Kimbrel have widened the door. Chapman’s 350th career save, logged on July 2, 2025, nudges him closer to that milestone.
What’s next for Chapman and Boston?
Looking ahead, the 2026 season promises another contract year, with a potential club‑option for 2027. If Chapman continues his velocity and command, Boston could lock him in long‑term, something the franchise has rarely done with a reliever.
Meanwhile, the AL Cy Young vote will be tallied in November. Even if Chapman falls short, his 2025 résumé will likely influence future voting patterns, encouraging broader recognition of elite relief work.
For fans, the takeaway is simple: the Red Sox have a closer who can still surprise the league, even at 37. Whether that translates into a trophy or a Hall of Fame plaque remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear – Aroldis Chapman’s 2025 season will be remembered as one of the most dominant relief campaigns of the modern era.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Chapman’s performance affect the Red Sox’s playoff chances?
His 30 saves and sub‑2.00 ERA have turned close games into wins, shaving several losses off Boston’s record. That stability helped the team stay within two games of the AL East lead through August and clinch a Wild Card berth with a 92‑70 finish.
What makes Chapman’s 17‑appearance hitless streak historic?
It’s the third‑longest streak of its kind since 1901, with only Randy Choate (20 appearances) and Tim Byrdak (18) ahead of him. Over those 14⅔ innings he struck out 21 batters while issuing just four walks, allowing zero hits or runs.
Could a reliever realistically win the Cy Young Award?
While rare, it’s possible if the reliever’s dominance outweighs a starter’s volume. Chapman’s league‑best ERA, sub‑1.00 WHIP, and high fWAR make a compelling case, and voters have shown growing openness to relievers after recent Hall‑of‑Fame inductions.
What does Chapman’s contract extension mean for Boston’s payroll?
The $13.3 million deal for 2026, with a vesting option for 2027, locks in a proven elite closer at a market‑value price. It frees Boston to allocate remaining funds toward starter depth and outfield upgrades while maintaining a high‑leverage bullpen piece.
How might Chapman’s 2025 season influence future Hall of Fame considerations for relievers?
His blend of velocity, durability, and historic streaks adds a modern benchmark for relievers. As voters increasingly value impact over innings, Chapman’s campaign could help shift the narrative, making it easier for future elite closers to gain entry.
