As soon as upon a time in baseball, choosing which pitchers had one of the best fastball was accomplished solely based mostly on how onerous they threw. When the radar gun began getting used within the Nineteen Seventies, it was a fast and simple option to measure who had one of the best heater.
However as the sport has developed, so has the power to guage the pitch. It’s type of like when docs within the nineteenth century had been in a position to make use of the newly invented stethoscope to diagnose sufferers … although maybe not as essential. These days, now we have devices to measure spin, carry, induced vertical break and may get info on issues like miss and chase charges.
Preserve all of that in thoughts when studying about one of the best fastball-throwing prospect in every group beneath, realizing that it’s not essentially at all times going to be who lights up that outdated radar gun essentially the most.
Blue Jays: Trey Yesavage, RHP (No. 1/MLB No. 9)Yesavage stays prospect-eligible whereas he rehabs a shoulder impingement, so we’re taking him right here. In any case, his four-seamer obtained whiffs towards each Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Decide in final yr’s postseason. Yesavage’s four-seamer usually sits 93-96 mph when wholesome and will get elite journey from one of many highest launch factors within the sport. Residing on the prime rail helps the 22-year-old arrange his plus-plus splitter and backward slider too, however the distinctive heater is usually a dominant pitch by itself as we’ve already seen on baseball’s largest stage.
Orioles: Esteban Mejia, RHP (No. 6)There’s no query about Mejia’s uncooked, electrical stuff. Touchdown it within the zone is one other story. He has greater than sufficient fastball, working the heater as much as 102 mph with plenty of armside run that was approach an excessive amount of for hitters within the Rookie-level Dominican Summer season League in 2024 and the Florida Advanced League final yr. He’s walked six per 9 to this point in his temporary profession, although at age 19 for all of this season, he has time to iron issues out.
Rays: Brody Hopkins, RHP (No. 2/MLB No. 75)Hopkins moved to Triple-A Durham for the primary time this spring, and he’s confirmed that his heater can completely play within the Minors’ prime stage. The correct-hander has already touched triple digits twice whereas sitting extra typically round 95-98 mph together with his four-seamer. He combines that with respectable extension and a low launch angle to generate a flat method angle that makes the heater powerful to the touch. Triple-A batters are whiffing on 37 p.c of their swings towards it to this point. Hopkins has one other pitch within the fastball household in his low-90s cutter, and he’s thrown the 2 roughly three-quarters of the time by way of 4 begins with the Bulls.
Crimson Sox: Payton Tolle, LHP (No. 1/MLB No. 15)Tolle boosted his fastball from a mean of 91 mph and a excessive of 96 at Texas Christian to parking at 96 and peaking at 101 throughout his first full professional season in 2025. Coupled together with his elite 7 1/2-foot extension, his heater is nearly unhittable. The 2024 second-rounder had a 3.00 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 15 Triple-A innings earlier than fanning 11 over six innings of one-run ball towards the Yankees in his first MLB begin of the yr on Thursday.
Yankees: Carlos Lagrange, RHP (No. 2/MLB No. 69)Lagrange gained some fame by hanging out Aaron Decide on a 103-mph fastball throughout reside batting apply in Spring Coaching, and he often operates at 97-99 mph with carry and armside run. Signed for simply $10,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2022, he ranked third within the Minors in strikeouts (168 in 120 innings) and strikeout charge (33 p.c) final season and sports activities a 4.30 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings this yr at Triple-A.
Guardians: Daniel Espino, RHP (No. 17)The twenty fourth general choose within the 2019 Draft out of a Georgia highschool, Espino may need had one of the best stuff within the Minors when he got here down with a sore shoulder in 2022. That led to a pair of surgical procedures and greater than three years between mound appearances. He returned for the ultimate day of the Triple-A Worldwide League season after which headed to the Arizona Fall League final yr, and his stuff is again. He is averaging 97 mph and touching 100 at Triple-A, the place he has a 1.35 ERA with eight strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings. He is touched 103 prior to now on the Minors’ highest stage.
Royals: Dennis Colleran Jr., RHP (No. 24)The 2024 seventh-rounder will get going with a giant leg kick, bringing his foot as much as about shoulder-high, and that may assist conceal his fastball a bit. In fact, it additionally helps to take a seat within the higher 90s and contact 101 mph, as Colleran did final yr throughout a breakout season by which he posted a 2.85 ERA and .161 average-against with 72 strikeouts in 66⅓ innings of aid throughout three ranges. He’s again with Double-A Northwest Arkansas to start ‘26 and might want to re-establish the command of the heater, having walked eight in seven appearances.
Tigers: Malachi Witherspoon, RHP (No. 11)It’s extra about energy for the 2025 second-rounder in his first full season. The previous Oklahoma right-hander — and twin brother of Crimson Sox hurler Kyson — has already touched 98.7 mph together with his sinker this spring with Single-A Lakeland, and each that and his four-seamer sit within the 95-97 mph vary. That sinker averages 14-15 inches of armside motion as well, whereas the four-seamer lacks particular motion however will be overwhelming given the velo. Witherspoon had critical management points with OU however has walked solely a pair in his first three outings of 2026.
Twins: Charlee Soto, RHP (No. 9)It’s been a short time for the reason that Twins have seen Soto’s fastball in video games. He missed all however three begins in 2025 and he’s nonetheless working his approach again from surgical procedure to take away elbow spurs. Earlier than he obtained harm, his fastball was trending upward velocity-wise, coming in at 98-101 mph. He has a four-seamer that misses bats up within the zone and a two-seamer with armside run that may get ground-ball outs.
White Sox: Tanner McDougal, RHP (No. 6)Overshadowed by Prime 100 prospects Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith amongst White Sox pitching prospects, McDougal has a greater fastball that the 2 southpaws, sitting at 97-99 mph and touching 101. A 2021 fifth-rounder from a Nevada highschool, he has compiled a 3.26 ERA with a .156 average-against and 22 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings, so his huge league debut could possibly be imminent.
Angels: Tyler Bremner, RHP (No. 1/MLB No. 71)There may be pitchers within the Angels system who throw tougher than Bremner — specifically guys like George Klassen and Chris Cortez — however if you add in its journey up within the zone to associate with his command and utilization of the pitch, Bremner will get the nod. Within the early going of his professional profession with Excessive-A Tri Metropolis, his heater has elicited a 44 p.c miss charge. Bremner averaged 95 mph and touched 98 with a 33 p.c miss charge at Santa Barbara final yr, and there could possibly be extra within the tank.
Astros: Miguel Ullola, RHP (No. 11)The Astros excel at discovering bargains on the worldwide pitching market and signed Ullola for $75,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2021. His fastball often operates at 92-94 mph and maxes out at 97, but it surely performs properly above its velocity because of a flat method angle and distinctive carry. In his first 4 years in full-season ball (2022-25), Ullola compiled the bottom average-against (.189) and highest strikeout (30 p.c) and stroll (15 p.c) charges amongst pitchers with a minimum of 400 innings. He has logged a 3.31 ERA, .186 average-against and 24 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings at Triple-A this season.
A’s: Gage Leap, LHP (No. 3/MLB No. 49)The A’s have a pair of lefties within the Prime 100 who’ve 60-grade fastballs in Leap and Jamie Arnold, and we’ll give Leap the sting as a result of he has a professional resume to attract from. Not solely did Leap’s heater take a pleasant soar velocity-wise final yr, his first yr of professional ball, but it surely’s at all times performed up. It now sits round 95 mph and he’s touched the higher 90s, flirting with triple digits. That’s as a result of his decrease arm slot creates deception. The pitch has missed bats at a 28 p.c charge and opposing hitters have managed only a .208 common towards the pitch, per Synergy.
Mariners: Ryan Sloan, RHP (No. 3/MLB No. 28)Simply 20 for all of 2026 and already at Double-A, Sloan has impressed together with his stuff and really feel for pitching since his highschool days en path to turning into a 2024 second-round choose who obtained an over-slot signing bonus of $3 million. In his time within the M’s system, he’s proven he can attain the higher 90s together with his heater and may sit 95-96 mph deep into outings. It’s extra spectacular as a result of he can differ its form, driving it up within the zone, slicing it in on lefties and even sinking it down the zone for ground-ball outs.
Rangers: A.J. Russell, RHP (No. 3)Although Russell had inside brace surgical procedure in 2024 and was inconsistent as a Tennessee junior final spring, his fastball prompted the Rangers to pay him an over-slot $2.6 million as a second-round selection. His heater ranges from 93-98 mph with a nasty mixture of an exceptionally low launch level, a large angle, important armside run and carry. Making his professional debut this April, Russell has fanned eight of the 20 hitters he has confronted at Single-A.
Braves: Raudy Reyes, RHP (No. 29)The Braves gave Reyes $1.8 million to check in January 2025, the second-largest bonus given to a pitcher in that signing interval behind solely Roki Sasaki. He’s nonetheless very a lot a thrower over a pitcher, however one with a ton of arm energy. He can attain triple digits with ease, topping out at 102 mph prior to now. Every little thing else, from secondary choices to his capacity to throw strikes, is unquestionably a piece in progress, however he doesn’t flip 18 till late August.
Marlins: Kevin Defrank, RHP (No. 5/MLB No. 100)The latest Prime 100 prospect is the youngest pitcher on the record at age 17 — and he already reaches triple digits with a fastball that averages 97 mph. Signed for $560,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2025, he broke into professional ball by recording a 3.19 ERA with 34 strikeouts over 31 innings within the Rookie-level Dominican Summer season League.
Mets: Ryan Lambert, RHP (No. 17)Mets followers obtained a style of what Lambert can do that spring when he struck out eight of the 17 batters he confronted within the Grapefruit League (and realized about his historical past with eggs alongside the best way too). The righty reliever has continued to flash that big-time fastball with Triple-A Syracuse within the common season, averaging 96.5 mph, 20 inches of journey and solely 3.1 inches of armside run on the pitch. Opponents are hitting simply .143 towards it, so it shouldn’t be a shock that Lambert has thrown the four-seamer 68.1 p.c of the time within the Worldwide League.
Nationals: Jarlin Susana, RHP (No. 4/MLB No. 70)Susana hasn’t pitched in an official sport since Aug. 30, 2025, resulting from lat surgical procedure, so it’s been some time since we’ve seen his fastball in motion. However when he was wholesome, it was one of the vital electrical — maybe essentially the most electrical — heaters within the Minor Leagues. The 22-year-old right-hander repeatedly sat 98-101 mph with relative ease and will crank up the velo as excessive as 103. Reestablishing that can be key when he returns in his age-22 season, however he additionally has a plus-plus slider as stability in his repertoire.
Phillies: Gage Wooden, RHP (No. 4/MLB No. 95)Wooden, the Phillies’ first-round choose in 2025, is supremely assured in his fastball, and for good purpose. It sits round 96 mph and touches 98, but it surely performs up thanks to hold, low launch peak and flat method angle. It obtained a forty five p.c miss charge at Arkansas final yr, a charge that’s as much as 51 p.c over his first three Single-A begins this season. It’s so good, he’s nonetheless within the mid-30s percentage-wise when he throws it within the zone.
Brewers: Bishop Letson, RHP (No. 8)That is as a lot about projection as something. Letson opened a number of eyes by exceeding 97 mph in entrance of Statcast in each a Feb. 22 outing and the Spring Breakout sport on March 20 this spring, although he usually settles in a number of clicks beneath that. Some early adrenaline might have led to that max velo, besides, Letson can already make batters uncomfortable together with his 7½ toes of extension, placing him in Jacob Misiorowski territory for his capacity to get down the bump. The 21-year-old righty is targeted on including innings at Double-A after a proper shoulder impingement restricted him final yr.
Cardinals: Liam Doyle, LHP (No. 2/MLB No. 29)Doyle’s 70-grade heater helped pushed him to the fifth general choose in final yr’s Draft after just one season at Tennessee. At its finest, it’s a 95-97 mph providing (touching triple digits) that performs up past even that velo because of a low launch peak and flat method angle. The southpaw must push that four-seamer to the highest of the zone, however when he does, it picks up oodles of whiffs. The Cardinals wish to assist discover Doyle extra high quality secondaries, realizing there could possibly be some bumps early on, as there have been at Double-A, however the particular fastball ought to play in every single place.
Cubs: Jaxon Wiggins, RHP (No. 1/MLB No. 50)Wiggins missed his total 2023 Draft yr at Arkansas following Tommy John surgical procedure however nonetheless went within the supplemental second spherical and since has developed into Chicago’s finest pitching prospect. Working with a fastball that sat at 96-98 mph and topped out at 101, he posted a 2.19 ERA with a .161 average-against and a 31 p.c strikeout charge whereas advancing from Excessive-A to Triple-A final yr. He is presently on Triple-A Iowa’s injured record with elbow irritation, however the Cubs consider he’ll be fantastic after a short interval of relaxation.
Pirates: Seth Hernandez, RHP (No. 2/MLB No. 24)Should you watched the Pirates’ Spring Breakout sport towards the Tigers, you noticed Max Clark’s response to Hernandez beginning the competition with 102.4 mph fuel. Certain, he was amped up, however for the reason that season within the Florida State League began, he’s been sitting 98 mph and has been over 100 a number of instances, and within the zone. It’s a really small pattern dimension, however throwing higher 90s within the zone (70 p.c strikes) and lacking a ton of bats with it (50 p.c miss charge) goes to work wherever he’s.
Reds: Zach Maxwell, RHP (No. 17)“Huge Sugar” obtained to the large leagues in 2025 due to his energy stuff, however he hasn’t been capable of stick there but due to his incapacity to command it. Final yr, he sat at 99 mph and topped out at 102 together with his fastball at Triple-A and through his huge league debut. Whereas his slider is his true out pitch, he did a greater job of lacking bats up within the zone final yr, getting a 30 p.c miss charge with it.
D-backs: Wellington Aracena, RHP (No. 24)Aracena has been with three organizations prior to now yr — the Mets, the Orioles and now the D-backs as a part of the Blaze Alexander commerce — and it’s as a result of everybody desires a crack at his energy stuff. The 21-year-old righty touched 101 mph together with his four-seamer final yr and customarily sat 96-99, and there’s some reduce to that four-seam form that may make it just a little extra fascinating. Aracena additionally has a real cutter within the low 90s to provide batters one other onerous choice value contemplating. He may need a future within the bullpen, however his first two Excessive-A Hillsboro appearances have been begins.
Dodgers: Kyle Harm, RHP (No. 23)Acquired from the Marlins together with Alex Vesia in trade for Dylan Floro in a 2020 commerce, Harm has recovered from Tommy John surgical procedure in 2024 to regain a 95-97 mph fastball that reaches 99 with a low launch peak and loads of carry. At present in Los Angeles’ bullpen, he sports activities a 1.69 ERA with 10 strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings in elements of three huge league seasons.
Giants: Gerelmi Maldonado, RHP (No. 29)Maldonado hit 92 mph together with his fastball as a 17-year-old earlier than signing for $145,000 out of Venezuela in 2021, touched 97 mph throughout his U.S. debut the following yr and reached 99 when he superior to full-season ball in 2023. He blew out his elbow that July and missed all of 2024 following Tommy John surgical procedure, however he is again dealing at 96-99 mph and grabbing some 101s with excessive spin charges, late hop and a few armside run. He has a 4.50 ERA and has struck out 10 of the 20 hitters he has confronted at Excessive-A.
Padres: Bradgley Rodriguez, RHP (No. 6)Rodriguez retains prospect standing for only some extra days, however he nonetheless counts right here. The 22-year-old reliever has used the fastball triforce out of the San Diego bullpen with a four-seamer and sinker each within the higher 90s and a cutter within the higher 80s. The sinker has been best of that bunch, drawing a number of weak contact, however what the three fastballs do finest is about up Rodriguez’s elite 88-91 mph changeup that he buries on the backside of the zone.
Rockies: Brody Brecht, RHP (No. 8)It stays to be seen if Brecht can begin long run, although he’s proven sufficient glimpses of harnessing his energy stuff to provide him an opportunity. His fastball can straighten out at instances, resulting in it getting hit at instances. However it sits round 96 mph and he’s reached 100 prior to now, and he did elicit a 28 p.c miss charge with the pitch at Single-A Fresno in 2025.
