Red Sox revitalizing Aroldis Chapman after Yankees downfall needs more attention

Headed into the 2024 offseason, the Boston Red Sox knew they needed to find their next closer. Kanley Jansen's contract was expiring, and after the way things ended with him, it was all but certain he wasn't returning. There were some internal options for the role, but no proven commodities, so Craig Breslow decided to hit the free agent market and inked former Yankees flamethrower Aroldis Chapman to a one year deal.

Chapman competed for the job in spring training and came out victorious, and he's been lights out at the back end of the bullpen. The 37-year-old has been everything the Sox needed through the first month of the regular season, posting a 1.59 ERA, while racking up 17 Ks, and only walking four batters. He's only secured four saves to date, but that's because Alex Cora has trusted him to keep it tied in late-inning situations multiple times.

The seven-time All-Star looks like he is having a resurgent year after falling out of grace with the Yankees in 2022, and bouncing to Kansas City, Texas, and then Pittsburgh. The biggest difference for Chapman so far has been limiting the walks. The lefty finished last season with a 5.7 BB/9 and between 2022-24 he had 5.9 BB/9. This season it's down to a 3.2. If he holds that mark, it would be his lowest since 2016.

Chapman has also upped his fastball usage. Last season, he threw a career-low 33.4% fastballs alongside a career-high 27.7% sinkers. This season, Chapman's fastball usage has ballooned to 60.2%, the highest since 2020, while the sinker usage has only dropped a few points to 21.6%. It's obvious that Andrew Bailey and Craig Beslow's plan was to have him throw mostly heat this year.

The Red Sox may have revitalized former All-Star Aroldis Chapman's career

As expected, the former American League Reliever of the Year ranks in the 98th percentile in fastball velocity, but he's also 99th percentile in K% and Whiff% and 96th percentile in Chase%. That puts him in the top 17 of all pitchers in those stats so far this year.

Chapman, in his career, is a great pitcher in March and April. He's posted a 1.33 ERA in 136 games with a K/9 of 14.8 in March and April, statistically his best months. As the page flips to May on the 2025 season, and warmer nights where balls start flying into the Fenway night more often, the lefty will need to work on his 4th percentile Barrell% and 6th percentile Hard Hit%.

Up to this point, though, Chapman has been everything the Sox have needed. He sits 16th in all-time saves, just two behind Rollie Fingers. If he does reach 30 saves this season, something he hasn't done since 2021, he could jump up near the top 10. Even if he doesn't rack up the saves, he seems well on his way to his eighth All-Star appearance.