When the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Aroldis Chapman ahead of the 2024 MLB season, the move sparked plenty of debate. Some saw it as a low-risk gamble for a team desperate to stabilize its bullpen, while others rolled their eyes, convinced that the once-elite closer’s best days were far behind him. After all, Chapman’s reputation in recent years had become a patchwork of electric stuff overshadowed by inconsistency, declining command, and off-field controversies. Yet, here we are halfway through the season, and the hard-throwing lefty has been, quite simply, better than anyone could have reasonably expected.
Aroldis Chapman’s name still carries weight in baseball circles. The Cuban fireballer was once the most feared reliever in the game, routinely hitting triple digits on the radar gun and humiliating hitters with a devastating slider. His time with the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, and even a short stint with the Chicago Cubs — which resulted in a World Series ring — cemented his legacy as one of the most dominant closers of his generation. But that reputation began to fray as Father Time caught up with him. His velocity dipped ever so slightly, but the real issue was command. Walks piled up, blown saves mounted, and teams learned to wait out his wildness.
So when the Pirates, a team not known for big spending or bold moves, handed Chapman a one-year deal, expectations were modest. The thinking was clear: if he could eat innings in late-game situations and mentor a young bullpen, it would be a win. But Chapman has turned that modest goal into something more significant.
Statistically, he’s been impressive. Through the first half of the season, Chapman has posted an ERA under 3.00 and struck out batters at a rate reminiscent of his prime. His fastball is consistently in the upper 90s, occasionally touching 100 mph when he needs it most. More importantly, his slider — once erratic — has become a reliable weapon again, baffling hitters and keeping them off balance. The combination of renewed velocity and sharper secondary pitches has given Chapman an edge that many assumed he had lost for good.
Equally vital is Chapman’s improved command. While he’s never been known for pinpoint accuracy, this season he has cut down on free passes significantly. That has been the difference between a liability and an asset for the Pirates. Instead of working himself into jams and relying purely on strikeouts to escape, he’s inducing weak contact and getting quick outs. For a bullpen that has struggled with consistency for years, having Chapman lock down the eighth or ninth inning has brought much-needed stability.
But it’s not just the numbers that tell the story. Watching Chapman work the mound this year, there’s a noticeable difference in demeanor. He seems more composed, more focused on each pitch, and less prone to the lapses in concentration that haunted him during some of his later years with the Yankees and Royals. Some insiders credit the Pirates’ coaching staff, who have kept his mechanics simple and emphasized trusting his natural power instead of overthrowing.
Chapman’s resurgence has also had ripple effects in the Pirates’ clubhouse. Younger relievers like David Bednar and Carmen Mlodzinski have praised Chapman’s willingness to share his experience. For a franchise that has been building around youth and potential for what feels like decades, a veteran who leads by example is invaluable. He’s been spotted working with younger pitchers on grips, pre-game routines, and the mental side of closing games — an aspect that can’t be measured by any advanced metric.
Of course, the real test will be whether Chapman can sustain this performance through the dog days of summer. His durability has occasionally been questioned, especially considering his age — he turned 36 earlier this year. Heavy usage could expose the same control issues that derailed previous seasons. But so far, manager Derek Shelton has managed Chapman’s workload carefully, resisting the temptation to overuse him even when the bullpen has been thin.
For Pirates fans, Chapman’s unexpected bounce-back has been a pleasant surprise in a season full of cautious optimism. The team is fighting to stay competitive in the NL Central, and if they remain in the hunt come September, Chapman’s arm could be crucial. There’s even chatter that, should the Pirates fall out of contention, Chapman’s renaissance could make him an appealing trade chip for a contender looking to bolster its bullpen down the stretch.
One thing is clear: Aroldis Chapman has defied the doubters, at least for now. In a sport where aging relievers often fade into obscurity, he has managed to rewrite the narrative — not by reinventing himself entirely, but by refining the arsenal that once made him unhittable. He may never be the dominant force who once terrified batters with 105 mph heat, but in Pittsburgh, he’s proving that experience, resilience, and just enough velocity can still make him one of the most valuable
arms in baseball.
