How far ahead is Aroldis Chapman in MLB’s reliever strikeout record?

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How far ahead is Aroldis Chapman in MLB’s reliever strikeout record?

Aroldis Chapman signs autographs and talks with fans — Conor P. Fitzgerald/Shutterstock.com2034644129

Spencer Rickles · Gameday Chatter

Sun, Sep 27, 2026 ·

5 min read

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Aroldis Chapman reaches 1,400 strikeouts

Boston Red Sox reliever Aroldis Chapman became the first pitcher used exclusively in relief to reach 1,400 career strikeouts on September 23, 2026, during Boston's 1-0 home victory over Cleveland .

Chapman struck out all three batters in the ninth inning, raising his career total to 1,402. That put him 39 ahead of Hoyt Wilhelm's 1,363 strikeouts recorded in relief appearances.

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Aroldis Chapman passes Hoyt Wilhelm

Chapman took sole possession of the reliever strikeout record on July 3 at Angel Stadium. He fanned Denzer Guzman for career strikeout No. 1,364, passing Wilhelm's previous mark of 1,363.

The milestone came during Boston's 5-2 victory over Los Angeles , when Chapman earned his 17th save of 2026. The record had stood for decades before he moved into first place.

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Aroldis Chapman strikes out the side

Chapman's 1,400th strikeout came against Cleveland outfielder Joe Adell in the ninth inning on September 23. He then struck out two more hitters, completing a perfect inning on 12 pitches.

The appearance produced Chapman's 35th save of 2026, and career save No. 402. He faced three batters, allowed no baserunners, and threw 10 of 12 pitches for strikes that night.

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Aroldis Chapman posts a 1.92 ERA

Chapman carried a 1.92 ERA through 53 appearances for Boston in 2026. He had recorded 71 strikeouts in 51.2 innings while allowing 35 hits and 23 walks through September 23.

His 1.12 WHIP and 12.4 strikeouts per nine innings showed how often he limited traffic while missing bats. Chapman converted 35 saves, ranking among American League leaders late in September.

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Aroldis Chapman reaches 400 saves

Chapman recorded his 400th career save on September 6 in Baltimore , becoming the ninth pitcher in Major League history to reach that total while closing out Boston's 3-1 road victory.

His career save total reached 402 after the September 23 game against Cleveland. That left Chapman ninth all-time, 20 behind Hall of Famer Billy Wagner, who finished with 422.

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Aroldis Chapman reaches 30 saves again

Chapman has recorded at least 30 saves in 10 seasons, including 35 through September 23, 2026. Only Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman have more 30-save seasons, with 15 and 14.

Chapman first reached the mark with Cincinnati in 2012, when he finished with 38 saves. His 2026 total came at age 38 during his second season closing games for Boston.

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Aroldis Chapman earns ninth All-Star honor

Chapman earned his ninth All-Star selection in 2026 after players voted him onto the American League roster. The honor followed his eighth selection during his first season pitching for Boston.

At age 38, Chapman remained an All-Star while serving as Boston's closer for a second year. His 2026 selection followed a 2025 season in which he posted a 1.17 ERA and 32 saves.

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Aroldis Chapman wins July reliever award

Chapman was named American League Reliever of the Month for July after posting a 0.75 ERA across 12 appearances. He converted all 10 save chances and struck out 17 batters.

The July honor was Chapman's seventh monthly relief award and second with Boston. He became the first Red Sox reliever to win twice after taking the honor in August 2025.

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Aroldis Chapman still owns velocity record

Chapman's career has long been linked to velocity. His September 24, 2010, fastball at 105.8 mph remains the fastest tracked Major League pitch from baseball's modern tracking era through 2026.

He also owns several of baseball's hardest measured pitches. In 2016, Chapman threw a 105.7 mph fastball, while multiple other pitches during his career officially reached at least 105 mph.

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Aroldis Chapman pairs speed with strikeouts

Chapman has paired that velocity with strikeout volume throughout his career. Through July 3, he had thrown 3,984 pitches at 100 mph or faster, more than double the next pitcher.

That power produced 14.5 career strikeouts per nine innings through September 23. Chapman reached 1,402 strikeouts in 873 innings, combining elite velocity with one of baseball's highest sustained career rates.

Fun fact:Chapman once gave Reds teammates personalized "Cuban Missile" hats , complete with different colors, fonts, and even sparkly designs. Baseball history gets weird fast.

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Aroldis Chapman has never started a game

Chapman has made every appearance of his MLB career as a reliever. Through September 23, he had pitched in 916 games without starting one, covering 873 innings across 17 seasons.

Those 916 relief appearances produced 1,402 strikeouts and 402 saves. Chapman, therefore, leads all relievers in strikeouts while ranking ninth on Major League Baseball's career saves list through September 23.

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Aroldis Chapman owns two World Series rings

Chapman has pitched for two World Series championship teams. He won with the Chicago Cubs in 2016 and the Texas Rangers in 2023, giving him two titles seven seasons apart.

Before joining Boston, Chapman had appeared in 44 postseason games with a 2.37 ERA, 10 saves, and 68 strikeouts across 49.1 innings. Those totals cover his postseason career through 2024.

Derek Jeter joins the moving Yankees tribute 25 years after 9/11 , adding historical perspective to how the franchise continues honoring those affected by the attacks.

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Aroldis Chapman enters Boston playoff push

Boston stood 85-74 after a 1-0 loss to Cleveland on September 24, leaving three regular-season games against the Chicago Cubs. The Red Sox had secured an American League playoff berth.

Boston also held a three-game lead over the Chicago White Sox for the second American League Wild Card position. Chapman entered the final series with 35 saves and 402 saves.

Aaron Judge likely to miss Yankees' opening playoff series , creating an early postseason test for New York's lineup depth and run production without its biggest power threat.

Does Aroldis Chapman's 39-strikeout lead make him the defining relief pitcher of his era, or do saves and postseason results matter more? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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