There’s something primal about a fastball that feels like it could rip through time and space. When a pitcher dials it up to triple digits with movement, you’re not just watching a pitch—you’re witnessing fear in motion.
From flamethrowers of the past to today’s radar-busting phenoms, these are the guys who made hitters blink, flinch, and sometimes just back away. Here are the 20 most terrifying fastballs in baseball history, ranked from nasty to downright unfair.
20. Jonathan Broxton
When Broxton was at his peak, it felt like a freight train was coming right down the middle. His fastball was pure gas and even scarier because it came from a guy built like an offensive lineman.
19. Bob Feller
Before radar guns, Feller’s fastball was legendary purely by word of mouth and hitter reactions. Guys from his era swore no one threw harder, and their bruises backed it up.
18. Trevor Rosenthal
At his best, Rosenthal’s fastball looked like it was shot out of a cannon. The late life on it made batters swing way too early—or not at all.
17. Troy Percival
Percival’s heater was both loud and lethal. It jumped on hitters late and exploded through the zone like it had a vendetta.
16. Rob Dibble
Dibble brought heat with anger, and it showed. His fastball was electric and intimidating, especially since he didn’t always know where it was going.
15. J.R. Richard
Richard’s towering frame and blistering velocity made for one of the most intimidating sights in baseball. His fastball looked like it came from the clouds and reached the plate in a blink.
14. Craig Kimbrel
Kimbrel’s fastball had ridiculous rise and late zip, making hitters feel like it teleported to the mitt. The weird stance just added to the chaos.
13. Joel Zumaya
Zumaya threw absolute flames before injuries slowed him down. When he was healthy, his fastball could touch 104 and made big league hitters look like they were guessing.
12. Justin Verlander
Verlander’s ability to throw 100 in the ninth inning was always unnerving. His fastball didn’t just have heat—it had a late jump that made it dance at the end.
11. Randy Johnson
Johnson’s heater from the left side felt unfair. Between the arm angle, his height, and the pure velocity, it was a nightmare for lefties and righties alike.
10. Billy Wagner
Wagner packed serious heat into a small frame and threw a lefty fastball that seemed to explode. It got on hitters so fast they barely had time to blink.
9. Stephen Strasburg
In his debut, Strasburg’s fastball was hitting 100 with ease and painting corners. The buzz around it was real—and hitters couldn’t catch up.
8. Jordan Hicks
Hicks can casually throw 104 with sink, which seems like it should be illegal. His fastball doesn’t just burn—it dives out of the strike zone at warp speed.
7. Roger Clemens
Clemens threw with intent to dominate, and his fastball was a weapon of control and fury. He made hitters uncomfortable with every pitch.
6. Josh Hader
Hader’s fastball looks like it’s floating, then it explodes at the last second. Coming from his awkward angle, it’s like trying to hit a moving target in the dark.
5. Sandy Alcántara
Alcántara’s fastball is a rare mix of speed, sink, and smooth delivery. It’s terrifying not just because of how hard it is—but because of how easy he makes it look.
4. Nolan Ryan
Ryan’s fastball was the stuff of legends, and he maintained it for decades. He didn’t just throw hard—he made batters look foolish doing it.
Read More: Ranking the 19 Most Unhittable Pitchers Ever
3. Jacob deGrom
deGrom’s fastball is ruthlessly efficient—pure heat with pinpoint accuracy. It doesn’t just beat you, it humiliates you.
Read More: 14 MLB Stars Who Went From Heroes to Headaches
2. Jhoan Duran
Duran’s fastball is not just fast—it’s vicious. With velocity, movement, and unpredictability, it’s one of the most violent pitches ever seen.
Read More: 20 MLB Pitchers Who Were Never Short on Self-Belief
1. Aroldis Chapman
Chapman’s fastball is the fastest ever recorded—plain and simple. When he was in his prime, it didn’t just light up radar guns, it terrified hitters.
Read More: Ranking the 15 Most Exciting MLB Players in the ’90s
